eBay/Craigslist wow- ****** out there

[Jay4200]

So I have my MF GC2300 for sale on Craigslist- guy comes out to look at it and says he's interested and that he will think about it...so he calls me up and says that he can buy a new one for less than I bought mine new and for only 1k more than I am asking for it now...I checked the online equipment houses and my price is spot on if not a little low for the hours (2004-2005 model with only 189.5 hours) and with a FEL, custom toothbar, and 3 lift hooks...he says the MF dealer says that mine is only worth half of what I am asking......where did people's manners go...if you're not interested, just don't call back or just say call and say you're not interested...period. Obviously I know he was trying to get me to lower the price, but really, half of what I'm asking, that's a bit much. Also, he obviously didn't think of the taxes, fees, and cost of adding the TB and hooks to the new one, but I felt like asking him why didn't he just go buy a new one then? I told him a don't HAVE to sell it...its paid for and just sitting in my shed, just don't use it much, or really, didn't ever use it much...only 190 hrs in 6/7 hrs!

Anyway, sorry for the rant, he just really p*ssed me off!

I don't know - what is the best way to approach someone who's price is completely unrealistic. I generally do what you suggest, and simply don't bother, but what of the people who don't know any better? Your tractor is likely "worth" about 60-65% of current MSRP. A savvy buyer can get a new machine at roughly 85% of MSRP, so if you are trying to get 80%, you are being unrealistic IMHO. So, what is better, to never get an offer, or to get some that are lower than what you want?

Ever watch pawn stars? Everyone on that show starts off with twice what they are willing to take and/or what something is really worth, hoping to get an uninformed buyer or just get lucky. From what I've seen (at least in the vintage garden tractor market), Craigs list sellers are no different. Don't confuse asking prices that you see on the 'net with actual selling prices (which you don't necessarily see).

JayC

 

[arrow]

I don't know - what is the best way to approach someone who's price is completely unrealistic. ).

JayC

I can tell you what I say: "Thank you very much, I will consider your offer amongst the others" Most are left in complete confusion as I have not ex'd them, got angry or told them I'd sell it or not sell it to them. They are left in a "limbo" type state with a slight sense of hope. It's great. Most of the time they leave. Others will up their price without me asking. Makes you wonder who came first, the customer or the salesman.

 

[MasseyWV]

I don't know - what is the best way to approach someone who's price is completely unrealistic.

When it comes to buying and selling, something is only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay, and what might be considered an unrealistic price by some, may be considered completely realistic by others.

As a seller, I want to make as much money as possible, and know that some buyers are willing to pay more than others, so a higher price is still likely to get a sale, it will just take a little longer.

Personally, I cannot stand lowballers, and have no problem with telling them to go pound sand, but as a buyer I completely understand their motivation because I want to save as much money as possible.

Like it or not, that's just the way it works.

 

[joshuabardwell]

When it comes to buying and selling, something is only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay, and what might be considered an unrealistic price by some, may be considered completely realistic by others.

Personally, I cannot stand lowballers, and have no problem with telling them to go pound sand, but as a buyer I completely understand their motivation because I want to save as much money as possible.

Well, you're right, but I still think there's a difference between a person who has a different assessment of an item's value than you do, and a true lowballer. Two people can have a difference of opinion and still respect each other. But a lowballer is just trying to figure out if you're stupid or desperate enough to let something go for less than its fair value, and he knows it. A true lowballer is trying to take advantage of the seller. And that's why they annoy me so much.

 

[MasseyWV]

Well, you're right, but I still think there's a difference between a person who has a different assessment of an item's value than you do, and a true lowballer. Two people can have a difference of opinion and still respect each other. But a lowballer is just trying to figure out if you're stupid or desperate enough to let something go for less than its fair value, and he knows it. A true lowballer is trying to take advantage of the seller. And that's why they annoy me so much.

Again, it all depends on definitions, because what may be considered a lowball offer by some, may be considered a legitimate offer by others. That, and you can never know for sure what the buyers intentions really are.

Lets say that someone is selling a widget for $100, and a buyer offers them $50. Does that make the potential buyer a lowballer? Sure, they may be hoping to get the widget for a steal, but they may also be using the "meet in the middle" strategy, hoping to get the widget for $75.

Take the recently popular "Tractor Definition" TBN thread for example. One would think it would be easy to define what is or is not a tractor, but as is true with most things in life, it isn't quite so simple.

 

[beppington]

Again, it all depends on definitions, because what may be considered a lowball offer by some, may be considered a legitimate offer by others. That, and you can never know for sure what the buyers intentions really are.

Lets say that someone is selling a widget for $100, and a buyer offers them $50. Does that make the potential buyer a lowballer? Sure, they may be hoping to get the widget for a steal, but they may also be using the "meet in the middle" strategy, hoping to get the widget for $75.

Take the recently popular "Tractor Definitions" TBN thread for example. One would think it would be easy to define what is or is not a tractor, but as is true with most things in life, it isn't quite so simple.

This is the way it's done on Pawn Stars, Storage Wars and American Pickers ... & they're pro's

Yeah I guess I watch too much TV.

 

[Looking4new]

By the way, PayPal charges you to get your money from them, so you should "raise" the price if you ever go that route.

That's good to know, Thanks.:thumbsup:

 

[yelbike]

I once, not long ago, found an old farmer posting several things online. I went out and met him for a set of harrows bars that he was asking $35 OBO.
I went there and we talked, he told he sold his farm operation to his grand daughter and her new husband for 2.3 million. So he finally takes me to the harrows, there's two sets of harrows Both identical, ones old but in like new condition(this one was pictured in the ad), the other same vintage but totally worn out with many broken tines and a flat tire. He tells me the nice one is now $70 and the other one was $35 firm prices. I was a little shock but I still thought $70 was a good deal so I gave him the $35 cash I had shook his hand and told him I would pick it up the next morning as I was pulling a work trailer already. He was ok with it. He showed me other stuff he was selling. I left to pick up job material in the next town over. On my way back I passed by the his yard again.

To my complete surprise and dismay the frincken guy had MY harrow bar loaded on someone elses trailer. He was completely surprised when I stopped and pulled in his driveway. He tried to BS his way out of it. I couldn't believe this guy. He was caught. I took my money back. We HAD made an honest mans agreement, with a hand shake. I left empty handed by my doing. I told him to keep all his equipment and wished him a good day.

I really couldn't believe this old, church going, small town farmer could screw someone over like that for $35.....$35. He sold his farm for 2.3 million.:confused2::confused2::confused2:

 

[Agent Blue]

CL does put alot of iron on the market. It doesn't take long to find the buyer/ seller middleman as some know nothing about what they are selling. They only know they saw one sell for this amount and theirs is always better. Low offers never bother me. Shows interest and many times they call back with a better offer. If your not against the wall it is almost amusing.
I agree they should charge a buck or so for an ad. Keeps the constant beggers off the list.... oh and its always for someone less fortunate, yah right !

 

[jlawso21]

Craigslist is a real crap shoot most of the time. A lot of the stuff is worn out junk, but not described that way. It's always in "good condition" or "like new".

I have recently started doing several things with the listings I might be interested in. First, I no longer email; if they don't put a phone number in the listing I don't bother. Most people don't reply to their email postings, less than half in my experience. Second, I try to negotiate a price based on some definition of condition. So, if the seller says it's in excellent condition I say "okay, assuming excellent condition I will give you ____$, OK? If they agree I go look at it. Now, I'm not pulling anybody's chain. If it is in excellent condition I buy it. If not I tell them I can't pay what we discussed.

I recently bought a drill press that was offered at $400, and a Unisaw at$500. I paid a total of $500 for both of them. (I had already agreed on $300 for the drill press in excellent condition) but had not discussed the unisaw. This fellow really wanted to sell some of his equipment and although they weren't in the best condition I offered him what I thought they were worth. He said he had to talk with his wife first. He did and came back and said ok.

Most people have no objective idea what something is worth, folks on this forum being the exception to that rule. I have found that simply talking with them about what you will have to do to either repair or fix something up brings them to reality and if they want to sell they will. If we are too far apart to make an offer I will usually say I don't want to insult them and leave it at that. Most will still invite the offer. Call it low ball if you want but if they agree to it, it's a fair price (widows being the exception)