What qualifies a "low baller"

Lowball? You're crazy! I'm just looking to pay a fair price if the whazzit is in absoutely, positively better than new condition and you'll assure me that I'll be happy with it if only I could afford it at the price I'd offer if I had the money and wanted it.

Oh damn!

I'm committed to buying a Panasonic and well... it's just too bad that you didn't accept my offer to negotiate about whether I'd be interested, if I had the money and wanted it.

The phantom buyer.

The pitcher for the Arizona Cardinals Kim Byung Hyun is a real low baller. He throws the baseball practically off his shoe laces!!

It depends. The true value of anything is how much somebody is willing to pay for it. Weiserb makes some valid points about what determines market value. "Lowballing" is relative to supply and demand, regardless of what the seller thinks is a fair price.

Thanks for the sellers' perspectives above. I've only sold a few items here, I'm primarily a buyer. If the price is firm and fair, I pay it; if offers are being accepted, I offer what it's worth to me at that time. That may not be what the seller had in mind - no harm, no foul. I don't see what the big deal is (is a "No thanks, have a better offer" email that difficult?) if we differ on waht the item is worth.

I have noticed that 'gon prices tend to be at or above market value (contrary to what is posted above), although the equipment is usually in great condition. Sellers should keep in mind that buyers are spending hard-earned moolah on equipment that they have not been seen or auditioned (that's why ads with pix sell better - ask anyone). The component may not work with the buyer's system or it may not sound as great as it was cracked up to be. Shipping is always dangerous (insurance doesn't quite make up for that irreparably damaged pair of Duettas you've been saving two years for and sold your Maggies to buy). There is no product guarantee and negative FB is little recourse if you're out a couple of grand!

My point is, sellers shouldn't always expect blue book prices from an internet sale. Thanks to all my sellers who've been flexible, patient and willing to let their bablies go to a good home - you can't put a price on that! ;^)

Weiserb,Leigh, Ultrakaz are right. If you are selling something, anything, you should take things in stride. That's what supply and demand is all about. As a buyer, I always cringe when I see someone indicating that the price is firm. As a seller, I am slightly annoyed when someone tells me he can get the same whatsit on e-bay for way less or from a local shop, but c'est la vie... Reminds me of the joke about the fellow who comes into a fruit store inquiring about the price of bananas, the shopkeeper tells him fifty cents a pound, to which the shopper replies that they are only twenty-five cents a pound across the street. When told that he better buy them across the street then, the shopper replies that, unfortunately, the other shop is fresh out of bananas. Not to be undone the shopkeeper replies that when he is out of bananas, his price is ten cents a pound.