unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Apr 25, 2018 16:24:19 GMT -5
Over the last several years I've had the good fortune of running into "deals" on Lapidary equipment. I've purchased vintage arbors, saws, tumblers and such. Some I've put to good use, others I'll clean, repair, and often strip and repaint prior to reselling. I put ALOT of elbow grease into restoring these machines in the hopes they'll find a loving home and a new lapidary perhaps? I often put them up on Craigslist and ask reasonable prices and am in no hurry to make a quick sale. So when a guy calls and the 1st question outta his mouth is "What's the least you'll take for it?", my tendency has been to take umbrage and hang up the phone. I won't respond to emails or Texts from Craigslist folk. MY question to the forum is " Should my panties be getting twisted at this particular negotiating tactic? How would all Y'all respond? This should be fun!
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Post by vegasjames on Apr 25, 2018 16:35:08 GMT -5
I would say the price posted is it and point out how much is involved in the restoration. Or if you want to avoid people like this put in the ad "NO LOWBALLERS" or "Price Firm".
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Post by MsAli on Apr 25, 2018 16:46:45 GMT -5
Its rude and bad manners to have that be the 1st thing out of a person's mouth. However, it's a question people are always going to ask, even a if you put price firm in the ad. Instead of hanging up, I'd just say the price I have posted.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 25, 2018 16:53:29 GMT -5
Sounds rude to me. I thought you were supposed to chat a person up before you start "negotiating". If your price is firm, you should state as much. If they call to be rube, hang up.
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Post by HankRocks on Apr 25, 2018 17:14:50 GMT -5
I just bought the 24 inch Saw from Craigslist. The price was already a good deal so I asked particulars about where he was and when could I come look at it. I had every intention of buying as long as it wasn't in bad condition. We exchanged a couple more e-mails and he sent me his phone number and I called him directly and got the location and set up a meet time. The Saw was in good condition so I bought it. Mind you I had a trailer in tow and had cash in hand so I was a confirmed buyer before I got there. The price was great and I had to move quickly to get the deal, as it turns out two other folks contacted the seller after I did. If I would have tried to bargain I would have lost out.
2nd buy about a month ago, 2 used Scott/Murry 15 pound tumbler barrels. The seller had them listed for $140 and they had been out there for 4 or 5 months. My first contact was to ask if she would take $100 for them. She said sure and I went and got them. She did not seem bothered that my first message to her was a lower offer.
I think when selling anything, the seller needs to be a bit thick-skinned about potential buyers trying to get a better price. Craigslist implies, to me anyway, that buyers can make offers. No offense meant, just looking for a better deal. I sell my polished rocks and minerals that way and will sometimes take a lower price or even offer one myself especially on the higher priced items. If the offer is too low just say, "no thanks, the asking price is the best I can do and thank you for the inquiry". This also applies to Garage Sales and Estate Sales.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Apr 25, 2018 17:24:04 GMT -5
Ya know, I can haggle w/ the best of them, and often set my prices with wiggle room, just in case the buyer's likable.. But in my mind, "What's the least you'll take?" isn't an offer- it's an insult. I will in the future add " no lowballers" to my ad copy- Thanks vegasjames.
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Post by Pat on Apr 25, 2018 17:50:31 GMT -5
I would just repeat what my ad says.
If the caller repeats the question, I’d be tempted to add $10 or $20.!😄
Tone of voice indicates whether caller is being rude, or just trying to determine the true price.
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kskid
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2014
Posts: 98
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Post by kskid on Apr 25, 2018 22:21:30 GMT -5
I'd restate the listed price. Let him get his panties in a wad...or laugh and start over. Life's too short.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Apr 26, 2018 20:37:36 GMT -5
Do you use the phrase "or best offer"?
ETA I always say "I cannot negotiate with myself. Make me a fair offer and let's see if we can do business."
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,202
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Post by RWA3006 on Apr 29, 2018 21:00:21 GMT -5
I enjoy hooking good folks up with good deals and have sold a few things lower than I could have. It's usually because I either like the buyer or I sense a real need that somebody can't afford. On the other hand, if somebody rubs me wrong I have no problem refusing to sell to them even at the asking price. I won't even respond to low ballers.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 30, 2018 0:17:16 GMT -5
My craigslist ads include "offers made in person after seeing it will be considered". When buying I often ask if they are open to offers before bothering to go to look, gas costs money. When making offers I seldom reference the "value", instead tell them what I have to spend.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on May 9, 2018 21:37:15 GMT -5
I once ran into a dude had something I wanted for a price "or best offer". So, I made an offer at 80% of ask. If I can't offer this much I don't offer because I may insult and I never want to do that.
He said the price is 100 and I said "you said 'or best offer'. Do you have a better offer?"
To which he replied "I'm only entertaining offers over asking price". He wanted to run an auction with a starting bid as advertised.....
I stopped using that language in my offers.
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Post by taylor on May 10, 2018 0:02:59 GMT -5
I usually counter with the high points of the item followed by I believe the listed price is fair or a great deal depending on how I have listed it.
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Win
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2017
Posts: 336
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Post by Win on May 10, 2018 8:34:09 GMT -5
I've sold a lot of stuff on CL, you have to be prepared for those type of ??. I don't get offended, it's a conversation starter and they may come around. My favorites are when I offer "free" stuff and they want it delivered!!
I've had more luck, lately, on local FB "for sale" pages. We're semi-rural, most any sales on CL require shipping, local ads get local buyers.
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