isn't the seller supposed to wait till the offer to insult a prospective buyer?

[hp2]

Originally Posted by takid455

I dont have or give lowest or bottom lines, but do encourage buyer to make an offer. Amazing how the art of negotiation is diminished.

Aint that the truth.

[Che70velle]

I've had people call me and ask what I wanted for parts I had listed on CL, and I'd tell them what I wanted. They would reply "that's more than I have to spend" or "that's too high, I can get it for x amount" and I would encourage them to make me an offer, and they would NOT do it. I'd never hear from them again. I always start out high, usually double of what I'd really take, just to enjoy the negotiations. This has happened to me several times.

[Tony_SS]

Originally Posted by Che70velle

I've had people call me and ask what I wanted for parts I had listed on CL, and I'd tell them what I wanted. They would reply "that's more than I have to spend" or "that's too high, I can get it for x amount" and I would encourage them to make me an offer, and they would NOT do it. I'd never hear from them again. I always start out high, usually double of what I'd really take, just to enjoy the negotiations. This has happened to me several times.

There you go. No one can get mad about getting 'low balled' because sellers like you are 'high balling'

Those who don't give you an offer are either afraid to 'insult' you, or are professional tire kickers.

[gmc]

I'm going through this now. I've had the car for sale for a couple weeks and have had all of the above. Funny how everyone wants to know my "bottom dollar" or "cash price", yet out of a couple dozen inquiries, no one has shown up to even look at the car. The ones that really irritate me are those that email and ask questions that are clearly answered in the ad.

[Tony_SS]

Originally Posted by gmc

I'm going through this now. I've had the car for sale for a couple weeks and have had all of the above. Funny how everyone wants to know my "bottom dollar" or "cash price", yet out of a couple dozen inquiries, no one has shown up to even look at the car. The ones that really irritate me are those that email and ask questions that are clearly answered in the ad.

I think a lot of that is just spam phishing for your email address. I usually just state in the ad, that all emails without a phone number will be ignored.

Also, you can flag the emails as spam, and that gets reported to craigslist, so there should be a link for that.

I was getting texts that tell me they'll buy the car but they are out of town blah blah.. more scams, even through text. lol.

[WSSix]

Originally Posted by gmc

I'm going through this now. I've had the car for sale for a couple weeks and have had all of the above. Funny how everyone wants to know my "bottom dollar" or "cash price", yet out of a couple dozen inquiries, no one has shown up to even look at the car. The ones that really irritate me are those that email and ask questions that are clearly answered in the ad.

Going through the same thing now trying to unload my Ninja. CL works but it can be annoying.

As for negotiating, too many people get offended when you try to negotiate now-a-days it seems. Tony's experience in the gun shop is a prime example. Meanwhile, you deal with the older generation and they can and often do negotiate. Case in point, I'm thinking of picking up a very rough 75 vette to learn to do body work on those cars. The older gentleman that owns the vette started out at $2500 unwilling to budge which is a ridiculous asking price for the car. Mind you, I walked up to the car just sitting there without a for sale sign on it simply to inquire if he'd even be willing to part with the car. Then I got him to $17 or $1800 I can't remember. Offered a trade of my Ninja and maybe some money. Wouldn't go for it but he said he'd take $1650 and that was bottom dollar. Took five minutes to get him down $850 and he wasn't offended or put off. Be respectful and talk like men and you might be surprised what you can purchase something for.

[hp2]

Exactly. It doesn't have to be a huge confrontational issue, but a little give and take and maybe some banter along the way.

I tried to impress this philosophy on my son a couple weeks ago while we were at a swap meet. He found a bag of Legos he wanted, price tag said $15. He only had $10 so he asked me for $5. I said no. He was bummed that he didn't have enough. I took a few minutes to explain to him that he should take the bag up to the lady selling it, explain to her that there are some good pieces in here that he wants, but there are a lot of other pieces he doesn't need and it is a mixed bag of stuff that he can't confirm what exactly is in it and ask if she would take $10. If she said no, he should then offer $12, and I would spot $2 for it. If he couldn't get it for $12, he was SOL until he earned some more money.

He gave it a shot and ended up with a bag of Legos for $10 and a big **** eatin grin for the rest of the day that he saved himself $5 simply by asking.

Hope the lesson sticks.

[snappytravis]

Originally Posted by hp2

Exactly. It doesn't have to be a huge confrontational issue, but a little give and take and maybe some banter along the way.

I tried to impress this philosophy on my son a couple weeks ago while we were at a swap meet. He found a bag of Legos he wanted, price tag said $15. He only had $10 so he asked me for $5. I said no. He was bummed that he didn't have enough. I took a few minutes to explain to him that he should take the bag up to the lady selling it, explain to her that there are some good pieces in here that he wants, but there are a lot of other pieces he doesn't need and it is a mixed bag of stuff that he can't confirm what exactly is in it and ask if she would take $10. If she said no, he should then offer $12, and I would spot $2 for it. If he couldn't get it for $12, he was SOL until he earned some more money.

He gave it a shot and ended up with a bag of Legos for $10 and a big **** eatin grin for the rest of the day that he saved himself $5 simply by asking.

Hope the lesson sticks.

That's great! Welcome to the world of good business little buddy, Sounds like maybe you should have him start making your deals for you. lol