How low is lowball low?

[greybeard]

I tend to reply to all offers. If a offer is too low, I will say to low but not make a counter, to see how motivated the buyer. If it is within 5%, I may make a counter offer.

[AAShooter]

Since many listings are 25% or so too high. So a 33% discount as an offer is not problem.

[Ripon83]

I offer what I'm willing to pay. If the seller considers it low balling I can't control what others think. That said if I think it's worth half what they are asking I dont bother to try. I'm only wanting a couple of guns right now. One is on sale new at 429.99 and I'm about ready to order but I keep hoping one will pop up, and yesterday it did! I was so happy, then I saw the $700 asking price and decided to order new.

[NotEnufGarage]

When and if I decide to sell anything, not just guns, I put the price I will accept. I will not haggle or consider a lower price. Period. $XXX firm.

Yeah.. That always works. I've negotiated down a few deals that were "$$$ - Firm" after showing the seller that I could buy the same thing, either new for about $10 more or used for a whole lot less if I were willing to have it shipped to me.

Lowballing generally won't occur if your items are priced fairly. Trying to get what you paid for it when you sell it is not reasonable. First, take off the sales tax you paid, then the DROS fees, about 1/2 the cost of any accessories you got with it, because you probably overpaid for them, then depending on how much use it's had, knock off 15% to 25% or more, since it's used. Now you've arrived at a fair price, unless it's something super desirable, hard to get, a classic or made of unobtanium. If it's just another AR or 10/22, none of those classifications fit.

[Vacaville]

I think it's easiest just to ignore what the asking price is. Do a little research and find out what the market value is and then offer about 75% of that. Anything below that is probably unreasonable.

[AAShooter]

Realize, there is a whole pile of buyers that simply will not pay your asking price as a matter of principle. If you insist on that, you limit the number of potential buyers.

[huntercf]

I would consider lowballing to be a $10 offer for a gun listed at $500. If it is listed at $500 and you offer $350, it is just that an offer of what you are willing/would like to pay. If the seller doesn't like receiving offers they shouldn't list the item, how long does it take to say "no thank you price is firm" or give a counter offer.

[SNCaliber]

I think I've been lowballed on almost everything I've sold, if the offer is too low, i just tell em straight up no, if its reasonable, ill do it.

[mls204]

The issue here is that every buyer wants to feel like they got a deal. Most of the time if a seller accepts or counter-offers even slightly lower than their posted asking price, it will be enough for a buyer to agree and satisfy that need to get a deal.

It's buyer psychology.

But keep in mind that every seller has his or her own definition of a lowball price. On a $500 item that may well be $450 or $350 depending on what kinds of offers they have been getting, how much they originally paid for the item, and just how much they themselves are valuing it.

It's the seller's prerogative to accept, counter, or ignore all offers lower than the asking price. But at the same time it's the buyer's prerogative to either accept or offer a price that is lower.

In my personal experience I usually post things for sale at prices which I am willing to part with them, and offer prices for what I am willing to pay. It may take some time but I will usually find a buyer who wants the item enough to pay my asking price, or a seller who is motivated enough to sell to me at my offer price.

[SuperSet]

I think if anyone who complains about lowballing ever traveled to a 2nd or 3rd world country, their brains would explode with all the haggling.

[gatesbox]

There is no right answer to this question. There are however many people that don't know how to haggle/deal/negotiate. I consider this a form of social retardation.

I have paid flat out asking in the market place when I know that the price is competitive and fair.

I have offered half of asking price when I know an item is overpriced, been flat out denied, then later come back with a slightly better offer.

I have sold a Ruger LCP at cost to me with no Californistan mark up and it was snapped up in 5 minutes.

IMO the answer to all these problems is to just do your deal, if a listed item gets too many low ball offers maybe one has overpriced the item. If you want to sell an item fast make sure it is not priced more than buying the gun from bud's. If you don't want low ball offers, price competitively on the market value, not how much was paid or put into a gun. And by all means if you want my opinion never worry about being a "low baller" It should only matter how many dollars you can keep in your pocket, let the other guy worry about how many dollars he wants to keep in his pocket.

[mls204]

I also need to add that a lot of people will post up a price on an item for sale that includes the tax, shipping, and other fees that they paid when they purchased it.

I personally will frown on this as I consider it a "tax" - if you will - on your initial purchase. Passing that expense to the next buyer is not fair, considering that you are now selling a used item.

There are some sellers out there that are cognizant to this and will be fair. Those sellers usually sell their items right away.


Of course with that said it's still the seller's prerogative.

[Chief2Guns]

If you don't ask you won't know and all a seller can say is "no" and reject the offer. Then you counter the offer until you come to an agreement. Its the art of the deal, good book by the way.

[nastyhabts26]

I dont believe there is such a thing as a "low ball offer"
It is just an offer period.
If the seller doesnt like the offer he should counter it.
If he ignores it he may miss out on a good deal.
One thingI have noticed here is that most people want absolute top dollar for their guns.
Some of the prices seem ridiculous.
I offer what I want to pay and wait for an acceptance or counter offer.
You see some guns offered for sale for weeks for the same price so it is either a specialty item that has a small group of admirers or it is over priced.

[nastyhabts26]

I dont believe there is such a thing as a "low ball offer"
It is just an offer period.
If the seller doesnt like the offer he should counter it.
If he ignores it he may miss out on a good deal.
One thingI have noticed here is that most people want absolute top dollar for their guns.
Some of the prices seem ridiculous.
I offer what I want to pay and wait for an acceptance or counter offer.
You see some guns offered for sale for weeks for the same price so it is either a specialty item that has a small group of admirers or it is over priced.