Low-Ball offers

[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.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Who's post?

That isn't a post just to build up your post count to qualify you to supposedly sell a watch is it?

You made 14 posts today and each post was lucky if they contained more than 1 or 2 words.

I wouldn't be cynical would I?

Now that was funny !!!!!!!!!!

[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.

[m_allie]

Originally Posted by JAGERVEGAS

Now that was funny !!!!!!!!!!

Mark that was funny .. that guy was trying to build up his post count in a day..lol

[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.

[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.

[drlecter]

Originally Posted by mac-apple

i don't even respond to buyers who have ridiculous offers, its ok to ask for a couple hundred off but several hundred is nuts. I had a guy offer me 1200 on a breitling superocean heritage i had, the watch sells for 2k all day everyday used, where do these fools get the nerve at to offer these nutty prices.

+1

[skyedog]

Originally Posted by psv

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

Totally

[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 patrick09

I had an experience on Ebay last fall ,I listed a Z serial LNIB Sub for very fair price of$4300 OBO. The guy offers me $2K I send back a polite but humorous response,3 minutes later he hits the Buy it now pays full price.I asked him why the low ball in the first place, his response was he wanted to see what my temperament was so if there was a problem what type of person he would be dealing with .Had I been snarky he would have gone elsewhere is what he indicated but because I made him laugh he did the deal .

awesome story.

[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 rolexgiants

Show some appreciation... Lowball?? Not fair??? Insulting???? Anyone who sells on this forum gets a tremendous amount of free advertising and unbelievable exposure to sell these watches.... Its funny to me that the one guy who sells the most watches here never complains about anything... U want to know why??? Because he's smart and just goes about his business!!!!! and another thing... How many of these so called watch wholesalers would even be a part of the forum if they couldn't peddle watches???

well said.

[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.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by InTime

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

Who have you been talking to?

[stephentross]

To me a low ball offer is just an attempt to save a little money. By no means should it be an insult. It is business. Nothing more.