What's your bottom dollar?

mrmikey · Jul 22, 2019

I'll say firm on a price, someone offers me a lower price I'll add money to the original price. Listed for $100 firm, offered $90 nope $110 now............Mike

Oaktree · Jul 22, 2019

oosik said:
I advertised my first rear blade on Craig's list. The guy who bought it said - "what's the lowest you will take for the rear blade". Looked him straight in the eye and said - "I advertised it for $950 and $950 is what I will take for it". He paid the $950 and departed happy. I have no time for this happy BS or negotiations. Take it or leave.

Next time I sell something and some dumb idiot asks this question, my answer will be - - "Well, since you asked, the price is now $1050". "Want to ask again?"

I don't sell on CL very often, but I'll either ignore those replies, or do something similar to what you did. I don't give out my phone # or personal email address...any communication is thru CL's email forwarding service.

I'm not on FB so I can't comment on their marketplace (to be honest, didn't even know they had one).

ning said:
I have to drive a minimum hour round trip, typically more like two hours plus (an hour or more each way), for most things on my "local" Craigslist.

I don't make a drive like that to dick around over price; I negotiate before traveling with the understanding that if the item isn't as described, I'll immediately leave.

So far I'm 100% with this, and it includes having flown a thousand to buy a car.

I dunno about that. I for one am not going to make an offer, or even a buying decision on something without having seen it first. If I'm selling something I'll price it so as to leave room for (reasonable) negotiation, but I'm always suspicious of someone who offers to buy something sight unseen.
Photos can be deceiving.

thekkfan · Jul 22, 2019

I always add more to the price before I list it. Making them feel like they have 'won' the battle by dropping to what I originally wanted to begin with has always been a great strategy for me.

Also your listing price usually says something to whether you'll drop the price any. If I wanted $300 for something I'd list for $325. Just mark it up 10% or so above your take. I've never had anything listed for more than a couple days before sold.

EddieWalker · Jul 22, 2019

American Pickers is a show that pretty much revolves around getting stuff for the bottom dollar, and they ask the seller this question all the time. I've come to really enjoy the show because of all the unique and weird stuff that they find, but also how they put a value on what they buy.

I've been to auctions where used stuff has sold for more then you can buy it brand new. I always check on my phone for what it costs before bidding and know where to walk away. Same thing with Craigslist, FB Marketplace and garage sales. I also think it's required to see how little you can get it for if you are buying, and expect the same when selling. It's just as easy to say no as it is to ask for a lower price.

I do not think bargaining for a lower price is anything new. Probably goes back tens of thousands of years.

2LaneCruzer · Jul 22, 2019

EddieWalker said:
American Pickers is a show that pretty much revolves around getting stuff for the bottom dollar, and they ask the seller this question all the time. I've come to really enjoy the show because of all the unique and weird stuff that they find, but also how they put a value on what they buy.

I've been to auctions where used stuff has sold for more then you can buy it brand new. I always check on my phone for what it costs before bidding and know where to walk away. Same thing with Craigslist, FB Marketplace and garage sales. I also think it's required to see how little you can get it for if you are buying, and expect the same when selling. It's just as easy to say no as it is to ask for a lower price.

I do not think bargaining for a lower price is anything new. Probably goes back tens of thousands of years.

Met a guy at a car show a couple of years ago who had been visited by the "American Pickers". He said he couldn't deal with them; that they wanted (I'll omit what he really said) everything dirt cheap.

/pine · Jul 22, 2019

That show is 100% scripted...there has been several stories on the net about it being scripted...All the find locations have been previously vetted by the producers etc...the two on screen characters are fully aware in advance of what they "find"...and any negotiating has been rehearsed...!

Industrial Toys · Jul 22, 2019

My Ads say FIRM yet some yahoo always low balls you and stresses CASH. I guess you can't blame them for trying.

Putting warnings in ones ads, just drives people away. It's just something you have to deal with.

skipperbrown · Jul 22, 2019

I always ask what is your lowest acceptable price. If it's more than I want to pay, I move on. If it's not, I buy it. That way I don't waste the seller's time or more importantly, mine.

sd455dan · Jul 22, 2019

TnAndy said:
"Can you take less for it ?"

I can afford to give it away if you can convince me of your need for charity.

Well , i have been through that ruse to.
Guy shows up wanting to buy a 1st gen Mazda RX7 I listed for parts with a toasted rotary I bought it for the interior and spare rear axle for my other RX7.

the guy shows up, then wants me to (donate) it to the church group he is part of and they are going to restore it and then do a raffle.
That's when I start asking questions - like where are you going to find a new interior, good rotary engine, battery body work paint and a rear axle. I tell him that the car is a true parts car and is not worth restoring and if I can't get a few bucks for it, the metal recycler will come and get it sight unseen and pay me $200.

Then he admits that is all he was going to do (for the church), So then I ask which church he is talking about and I can see he hasn't even thought that part up yet.
At this point I get out my cell phone and call the recycler and set up the pick up of the car.