Low-Ball offers

[TB21]

Maybe it's just me but a good deal in my opinion is when I get a good deal and the seller makes a fair profit. I simply would not be happy taking advantage of someone else. I own my own Company and this is the way I like to do business I am not saying that what you do is wrong I just would not do business with you. If its my game to play when I come across someone that is trying to steal something for below fair value I take my marbles and go home.

[Brian J]

Originally Posted by TB21

Maybe it's just me but a good deal in my opinion is when I get a good deal and the seller makes a fair profit. I simply would not be happy taking advantage of someone else. I own my own Company and this is the way I like to do business I am not saying that what you do is wrong I just would not do business with you. If its my game to play when I come across someone that is trying to steal something for below fair value I take my marbles and go home.

Excellent point. I've done deals that I negotiated heavily and felt guilty afterwords.

The line between greed and just getting a good deal can get blurry at times.

[Jeffa32]

At the end of the day, the web allows both buyers and sellers to compare global pricing on any goods. There shouldnt be any surprises if you do your research

Good negotiators always have options and have thought through the deal and what else they could ask for.

My last purchase through an AD, I got a free service included and a strap after the dealer couldn't go any lower. He probably recharge the strap to the brand rep and the service doesn't cost what you pay. Understanding price vs value is the key.

Above all be respectful and you can always walk away. You never know when your paths will cross again!

[Buschy]

just for the records. "trusted sellers" lowball the crap out of you, that's how they make their money.
I will say that out of all the pieces I sold on here, Richard was the only one that didn't offer a "lowball" offer IMO. I sold every watch on her at what I consider. Lowball. When you sell and your not a flipper you more then likely sell for low.

[ayres]

unfortunately, 'low ball' and 'reasonable' are subjective terms, and we all have different ideas of what constitutes each. i certainly don't like 'low balling'... at the same time, watches can easily be over priced. as long as we all remain reasonable while negotiating... that's the key. we're all here because we love watches!

[m_allie]

if i cant afford i dont even think about asking period.

[TheVTCGuy]

You know, the same thing happend to me the other night, this woman said: $1,500 and I said: "well, will you take-... Oh... uh... never mind.

[general]

as much as I hate unreasonable offers, some sellers over price an item expecting negotiations. It is not a low offer if others are selling the same condition item for the offered price. Some sellers have emotional attachment or disregard the going market rate. I ignore those sellers and try to deal with the ones who know what they are doing.

[krava]

I completely agree with TB21 the only problem is alot of people don't know what a "fair price" is. I had 2 people come in today to look at a "$150 laptop" the laptops where clean had wireless and cd burner's. Dell d800 $1800 new and around $150 on ebay. I warranty everything I sale unlike ebay. Then I showed the people a 3 month old laptop and asked $200 for it. The people said We are not interested and looked pissed off and left. I was pretty offended as this hasn't happend to me in 4 years. When I sell something I usually put the absolute best price I can take on it which for me is usually $100 profit no matter if I am selling a $150 laptop or a $400 one. I went to jared's they don't even have a rolex license any more and they were marking the rolex's down. They have been doing this for a month or two and they had some left in Dallas. I drove down there thinking I can get maybe just an extra 10% off and had cash. I was told i couldn't get a dime off of it and had to drive 250 miles back home. Last night I was looking at a watch it was a 2006 TT TOG BNIB it didn't sell for $6750 start price $7500 buy it now and the dealer dropped it to $6450. I was ready to buy for $6500 but didn't want to offend the guy because he had a $7100 buy it now price I was thinking ok if it doesn't sell this time then I will ask him how much he wants for it anything $6500 or less I will buy but now I dont' get that chance and dont' see anything like that on ebay. The only thing that I have learned is to gain experience. Look around memorize what price cost where and how much and then compare it against that. I see a datejust II TT for $8700 nib. But if the dealers get 50% of MSRP then isn't it fair for me to get 30% off and give the dealer a 20% profit off of it?

[outtatime]

Over the past 6 months or so I've started doing a lot of flipping from CL deals, so I've run the gamut of sellers and the different attitudes and practices. One thing I've learned is how to know whether it's even worth approaching someone with an offer based on their posting or "invisible body language".

If someone has something for sale that's worth (on the secondary market) $100, and they want $200, I know it's not worth my time. People who have 'don't even bother offering me less' or 'if you try to lowball me I'll just ignore you' are also not worth my time. However, "firm" or "no offers accepted" doesn't stop me if I think I can still negotiate.

It's all about how you approach it, and also reading the seller. If someone has something for sale for a month or two, and keeps posting over and over, chances are they want or increasingly need to sell it, which increases the chances they'll accept an offer.

I also don't make unreasonable offers. I go as low as I'm comfortable with still being able to make money, but not so low that it's just ridiculous. I've also used language such as "I know you said your price is firm, but if you ever get to $XX I will take it and have the cash to make the purchase immediately". That leaves the ball in the seller's court-I've not asked them to respond to the offer, but they know I'm serious and they have a cash offer just waiting for them to accept, if they so choose.

[Joey_V]

I don't understand what the big deal is with lowballs. It's an offer, you're not obligated to take it. Just say no.

When I sell here or anywhere else and I get lowballed, I just reply back nicely that their offer is way too low and that I would need a more serious offer.

That's all. Some reply back, some don't. But that's how selling a product or service goes.

[psv]

Low-balls come with the territory. Just politely say no thanks.

[scarab007]

Wow....How about I put in an offer for a moderator to lock this up.

[skyedog]

Originally Posted by psv

Low-balls come with the territory. Just politely say no thanks.

Totally

[MAWhite]

My motto is; "I've never been insulted by a low ball offer, often amused but never insulted!"

I've sold hundreds of watches over the years and two things I know for sure are;

1) I've never NOT sold a watch I wanted to move
2) If you list it at a firm price and don't negotiate it takes a looong time. But see point 1.

Best,
Mike

[watchf]

LOL interesting thread.

One thing I don't get is that most (notice I said most not all) people have the assumption that just because someone is selling their Rolex or 'insert luxury watch brand' that he/she is looking to get a quick sale to put food on the table so lowballers are proud to offer you a low ball offer as if they are your lord & saviour?!

Why is that? I don't get that. I'm not just talking about TRF sales forum but other sales site and ebay as well. Can't a man sell a watch simply because he owns too many of them and couldn't care less if it doesn't sell in a flash but sell it only if the right buyer comes along?

[sunshine9393]

Interesting topic. One thing I've learnt through life is that no matter what you're buying, whether car, house, watch etc. the advertised price is NEVER the lowest price the seller is willing to let the item go for. Negotiation is par for the course, so why don't we just treat each other with respect and enjoy the "game"?

[MP5]

Truth is A LOT of people are overvaluing their watches, here and elsewhere. There is a glut of flipped and heyday priced watches sitting everywhere. I understand you got too much in them, but even the collectibles can be had for MUCH less.

[InTime]

2 way street really. i walk into a jeweler who has vast amounts of stuff, the place is dead empty and he is pretty much desparate to make a sale for the day, guess who will win? when i see their "sales reciepts" for the last 10 pages its all replace batteries or repairs, no watch sales, so yes its pretty much a buyers market.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by InTime

2 way street really. i walk into a jeweler who has vast amounts of stuff, the place is dead empty and he is pretty much desparate to make a sale for the day, guess who will win? when i see their "sales reciepts" for the last 10 pages its all replace batteries or repairs, no watch sales, so yes its pretty much a buyers market.

Let me guess, he will.

[InTime]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Let me guess, he will.

me of course

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by InTime

me of course

As long as you're happy.

Edit: Let me rephrase that, as long as the buyer walks out thinking he won, everybody's happy.

[InTime]

Originally Posted by MonBK

As long as you're happy.

Edit: Let me rephrase that, as long as the buyer walks out thinking he won, everybody's happy.

honestly its like a hooker, they both get what they want, but the hooker feels used afterwards.