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The issue of lowballing... What does that mean?

I LOVE Audiogon. I have purchased and sold many items here and it is a wonderful resource for audio nuts of every variety. Big solid state, tubes, analog, vinyl? Sure it all goes.

So I see posts that are make offer but the seller says "lowballers" will be ignored, vilified, cursed and cussed. So why have a make offer sale? Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It doesn't matter what you paid for it, or how much you love it. And why be upset? Declining requires one mouse click. Countering maybe five or six clicks or keystrokes. Just curious as this is a commerce site.

I have received offers that seemed really low to me, but I am still happy to have interest and I always counter offer. I recently sold a Clearaudio TT for a lot less than I thought it was worth. But all the offers were low and I had to rethink my view. It ultimately sold as a real bargin but I'm happy and so is the buyer.

Your thoughts?
superbike
superbike's avatar
superbike OP
11 posts
 
Thanks for all the very thoughtful responses. I agree with the consensus, if you like something make an offer you are willing to pay. Simple. If the seller (including me) doesn't like the offer they are free to decline or ignore. Again, simple. If you don't want offers make the price firm.

As far is Markpao's comment... I still don't know what constitues a "lowball" offer. What is a bargin price? The prices on Audiogon for the same basic product sometimes vary wildly. Today there are two MD tuners for the same model differentiated by a 70% price variance. It's like my boss saying we need to cut expenses - does that mean I need to fire half the sales guys - or stop letting them expense Starbucks coffee?

I do want to respect peoples wishes. Many of the people I have bought from or sold to, I am still in contact with discussing music, product or life...

Thanks again for the feedback.

SB
zydo's avatar
zydo
242 posts
 
When someone sends a "lowball" offer, they know it. I don't really think anyone ever sells for that kind of price. Here is an example. A $7000 pre/pro, (current model) with a warranty. Offer comes in for $800. Does anyone really think the seller might take that? I highly doubt they think there is any chance of that, so why even do it? Its a waste of time for both. Granted, its not any effort to ignore it, or simply decline it. Usually these are zero feedback members. If people would try to be realistic, this wouldn't even be a topic for discussion. This is Audiogon, not fantasy island. I don't do it, and I personally find it irritating.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I don't give those admonitions a second thought, if I want to make an offer, I make it. Anyone is free to ignore, or acknowledge it as they see fit.

If it's something that I really want, I might offer above market, if I would kind of like it, maybe below market, if it has cosmetic issues and three of the last owners' license plate numbers carved into what is left of the paint, ya, I'm goin down, down, down.

I will also offer much less to people with no feedback, very bad grammar and no photos. Most folks would never even make offers on these types of ads, and yes, it's a gamble, but that kind of folderol will cost the seller big time.
michaelkingdom's avatar
michaelkingdom
153 posts
 
Well, if I was crazy enough to make an offer on these I'd have to lowball!:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-B-W-Nautilus-802-Loudspeakers-Bowers-Wilkens-Red-Cherry-/261176662199?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item3ccf5798b7
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
1,033 posts
 
ZYDO nailed it:

IN partcular:

" ... When someone sends a "lowball" offer, they know it. I don't really think anyone ever sells for that kind of price. .. Its a waste of time for both. ...I don't do it, and I personally find it irritating...."

IMO it goes well past simply "irritating" and takes it into "insulting" by all-too-many time-wasting bottom-feeders.

There used to be an honor code and an accepted /expected sense of fairplay in this hobby that is frequently now being ignored. These latter types also ignore the time honoured axion that says that if you are a pig you get fat, but if you are a hog you get slaughtered.

Result: I ignore the lowballers, also take note of them and brand them as such, and keep them out ad infinitum.
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