"Your item is over-priced..."

TimmyO

thegummy said:

Keiko said:

I think some sellers attitude stinks.  If you want your stuff to sell, bite your tongue and be nice. No matter how much of a dick you think the potential buyer is being. This is basic customer service / sales knowledge. Any idiot can respond by being rude, it takes a bigger man to bite your lip and be nice to them anyway. 

You can take the moral high ground and "be in the right" but it wont sell your stuff. Being nice, sells your stuff.

If someone low balls you, make a counter offer ffs. If you reject them straight away you've lost the sale.

As someone who sells two or three items per day on ebay (not guitar gear) I can tell you thats how I get about 90% of my sales. Someone offers, I counter and then that may repeat two or three times until we agree on a price. Very few people pay the asking price, most will want a bit taking off - thats just the way people are. If I rejected every initial 'low ball' offer I got then I would barely sell anything. Basic haggling. Theres a reason that sytem is there on ebay.

If someone tells you your price is to high, there is no need to be nasty about it. Ask them how much they want to pay, and be prepared to come down a bit on your price within reason. Start the haggling process not the arguing process.

Common sense to me, but some people dont seem to get it. Good luck with your sales if you have a bad attitude towards your buyers.

Customer service doesn't really apply when it's just someone selling their own guitar on the internet.

There's a world of difference between someone wanting to sell their own guitar for a specific price and someone looking to make as much profit as they can on several items every day. A lot of people selling their guitar can wait until they get a reasonable buyer willing to pay the right price, they're not in a hurry to shift it on as part of some business.

I don't think anyone's suggesting replying to a polite offer with abuse just because it's too low, it's when they're obnoxious about it by saying it's "over priced" or "you'll never get more than x" for it. People who say things like that don't deserve respect. Maybe they're used to small businesses cow towing to their arrogance.

agree 

There was a guy on the old iteration of the forum who was in the habit of replying to sale threads with "sold!" then messaging you to haggle. In the end I had to tell him that  none of my stuff was for sale to him and he didn't like that at all - and was trying to set out customer service standards for all on their private sales. Very odd. 

But the fact that anyone can think that a SELLER's attitude stinks is odd - it's available at the price stated - any notion that a seller SHOULD be open to anything else is odd - it's theirs to sell, or be stuck with. 

I sold a Dr Z amp on here once - it was up for sale for a LONG time - like over a year - I'd bump the thread infrequently and deal with a raft of chancers over that time explaining to me in detail why my amp wasn't selling and why I should sell it to them for whatever price they fancied - but truth was it was a fair price, but not the kind of thing that there's 50 people waiting for, and I wasn't in a rush. It sold.  all was well. Did my attitude stink for not providing "customer service" to some self-appointed saviour of my sale? pfft. 

UnclePsychosis

prowla said:

.

The question about calling out overpriced items is interesting; in a forum/community such as this, do the members have a duty to advice/protect buyers when they see rip-off prices.

No.

The forum classified rules even explicitly forbid it.

"6. Flag it if you genuinely think that an ad is dodgy or breaks the rules, don't harass the seller on the thread. Criticising prices counts as harassment . "

imalrightjack

I've just had 'Rose' on Gumtree message within two minutes of listing my Dirty Shirley asking if it's still for sale.  Apparently she's heavily pregnant and wants me to message her husband.  She then messaged within two minutes of listing my Strat.  I didn't hesitate to tell her to f*** off, in fact quite enjoyed it

Gassage

UnclePsychosis said:

prowla said:

.

The question about calling out overpriced items is interesting; in a forum/community such as this, do the members have a duty to advice/protect buyers when they see rip-off prices.

No.

The forum classified rules even explicitly forbid it.

"6. Flag it if you genuinely think that an ad is dodgy or breaks the rules, don't harass the seller on the thread. Criticising prices counts as harassment . "

Agreed. I have been ticked off for doing this. I will LOL the ad though if I feel it a piss take, and I will also point out if it's like way over the top.

I have, on a few occasions, also told sellers when they've underpriced stuff if I'd got specialist knowlege on the item

I also scored a rare piece on here which the seller (a forum reg and good man) thought totally broken and unfixable for a 10th of the price of it when working and then I offered to give him another small payment when I did the easy fix and had already bought it- he declined with a smile. That's how it should be.

thegummy

imalrightjack said:

I've just had 'Rose' on Gumtree message within two minutes of listing my Dirty Shirley asking if it's still for sale.  Apparently she's heavily pregnant and wants me to message her husband.  She then messaged within two minutes of listing my Strat.  I didn't hesitate to tell her to f*** off, in fact quite enjoyed it

What's their aim?

Meet up and rob you?

imalrightjack

thegummy said:

imalrightjack said:

I've just had 'Rose' on Gumtree message within two minutes of listing my Dirty Shirley asking if it's still for sale.  Apparently she's heavily pregnant and wants me to message her husband.  She then messaged within two minutes of listing my Strat.  I didn't hesitate to tell her to f*** off, in fact quite enjoyed it

What's their aim?

Meet up and rob you?

The email came with a ‘click here’ link embedded, presumably phishing for email addresses or some such bollocks. I replied via Gumtree. I’ll likely get banned 

CHRISB50

impmann said:

JezWynd said:

imalrightjack said:

  I'm all for a haggle but if something is more expensive than you can afford, why be dick about it?

Don’t assume that they can’t afford it. Lots of rich people get that way because they begrudge paying the going rate for anything. 

THIS

I've had someone on here give me a story, I needed to sell, so dropped my trousers a bit.

When he turned up to collect he proudly informed me he'd been on a tour of the South East picking up other amps he'd bought off others on here. So I guess he wasn't that hard up after all.

It pissed me off even more when the amp was relisted a short while after for more than I sold it for. 

You live and learn. 

TimmyO

CHRISB50 said:

impmann said:

JezWynd said:

imalrightjack said:

  I'm all for a haggle but if something is more expensive than you can afford, why be dick about it?

Don’t assume that they can’t afford it. Lots of rich people get that way because they begrudge paying the going rate for anything. 

THIS

I've had someone on here give me a story, I needed to sell, so dropped my trousers a bit.

When he turned up to collect he proudly informed me he'd been on a tour of the South East picking up other amps he'd bought off others on here. So I guess he wasn't that hard up after all.

It pissed me off even more when the amp was relisted a short while after for more than I sold it for. 

You live and learn. 

reminds me of the guitar I sold to someone an ex-bandmate introduced me to. He gave me the heartstring-tugging-make-ends-meet story and as he was a friend of a friend I sold for less than I'd planned to. My decision I stress.

He turned up to collect it in his Maserfuckingrati 

CMW335

CHRISB50 said:

impmann said:

JezWynd said:

imalrightjack said:

  I'm all for a haggle but if something is more expensive than you can afford, why be dick about it?

Don’t assume that they can’t afford it. Lots of rich people get that way because they begrudge paying the going rate for anything. 

THIS

I've had someone on here give me a story, I needed to sell, so dropped my trousers a bit.

When he turned up to collect he proudly informed me he'd been on a tour of the South East picking up other amps he'd bought off others on here. So I guess he wasn't that hard up after all.

It pissed me off even more when the amp was relisted a short while after for more than I sold it for. 

You live and learn. 

In this scenario though you have been made an offer you are happy enough with to sell for so whats the issue? Perhaps you would still be trying to sell it now if not for that guy.

Not a dig at you I just think people are quick to get all upset if buyers try and sell gear on at a higher price but said it before we are all grown up enough to decide the prices we are happy to buy or sell for. Once that parts done then what does it matter what the new owner does?

If buying gear I stick to some simple rules

1 - I don't buy new as I know I will likely lose money even if i try and sell it next day still in its cardboard box

2 - I don't buy anything second hand for a price I don't think I can recover should I want/need to sell it on and yeah I go in with low offers to kick start negotiations

When Selling

1 - I mark up a little to account for lowballers with the exception of the forum where i generally list things at my desired price

2 - I never sell at a price I am not comfortable with and I don't care what the new owner does with it

Either way I am always respectful that buyers and sellers have their own valuation and their own best price, if I don't want to meet that price then I move on I certainly don't get abusive. 

prlgmnr

CMW335 said:

In this scenario though you have been made an offer you are happy enough with to sell for so whats the issue? Perhaps you would still be trying to sell it now if not for that guy.

Because it leaves the feeling that you've been manipulated, or at least subject to some mild social engineering?

thegummy

CMW335 said:

CHRISB50 said:

impmann said:

JezWynd said:

imalrightjack said:

  I'm all for a haggle but if something is more expensive than you can afford, why be dick about it?

Don’t assume that they can’t afford it. Lots of rich people get that way because they begrudge paying the going rate for anything. 

THIS

I've had someone on here give me a story, I needed to sell, so dropped my trousers a bit.

When he turned up to collect he proudly informed me he'd been on a tour of the South East picking up other amps he'd bought off others on here. So I guess he wasn't that hard up after all.

It pissed me off even more when the amp was relisted a short while after for more than I sold it for. 

You live and learn. 

In this scenario though you have been made an offer you are happy enough with to sell for so whats the issue? Perhaps you would still be trying to sell it now if not for that guy.

Not a dig at you I just think people are quick to get all upset if buyers try and sell gear on at a higher price but said it before we are all grown up enough to decide the prices we are happy to buy or sell for. Once that parts done then what does it matter what the new owner does?

If buying gear I stick to some simple rules

1 - I don't buy new as I know I will likely lose money even if i try and sell it next day still in its cardboard box

2 - I don't buy anything second hand for a price I don't think I can recover should I want/need to sell it on and yeah I go in with low offers to kick start negotiations

When Selling

1 - I mark up a little to account for lowballers with the exception of the forum where i generally list things at my desired price

2 - I never sell at a price I am not comfortable with and I don't care what the new owner does with it

Either way I am always respectful that buyers and sellers have their own valuation and their own best price, if I don't want to meet that price then I move on I certainly don't get abusive. 

If you were respectful you'd offer what it's worth rather than hoping to cash in on potential desperation.

SimonC

TimmyO said:

CHRISB50 said:

impmann said:

JezWynd said:

imalrightjack said:

  I'm all for a haggle but if something is more expensive than you can afford, why be dick about it?

Don’t assume that they can’t afford it. Lots of rich people get that way because they begrudge paying the going rate for anything. 

THIS

I've had someone on here give me a story, I needed to sell, so dropped my trousers a bit.

When he turned up to collect he proudly informed me he'd been on a tour of the South East picking up other amps he'd bought off others on here. So I guess he wasn't that hard up after all.

It pissed me off even more when the amp was relisted a short while after for more than I sold it for. 

You live and learn. 

reminds me of the guitar I sold to someone an ex-bandmate introduced me to. He gave me the heartstring-tugging-make-ends-meet story and as he was a friend of a friend I sold for less than I'd planned to. My decision I stress.

He turned up to collect it in his Maserfuckingrati 

I once gave away a fridge via Freecycle, thinking it was deservedly going to someone in need.

A well to do lady in a brand new Landrover Discovery came to pick it up and informed me she’d been looking for ages to find the ideal fridge for storing her gin collection.

JezWynd

If you were respectful you'd offer what it's worth rather than hoping to cash in on potential desperation.

Absolutely right. It sticks in the throat when you see someone taking advantage of another's misfortune. Best not to signpost your desperation should you unfortunately be in that situation.

thegummy

SimonC said:

TimmyO said:

CHRISB50 said:

impmann said:

JezWynd said:

imalrightjack said:

  I'm all for a haggle but if something is more expensive than you can afford, why be dick about it?

Don’t assume that they can’t afford it. Lots of rich people get that way because they begrudge paying the going rate for anything. 

THIS

I've had someone on here give me a story, I needed to sell, so dropped my trousers a bit.

When he turned up to collect he proudly informed me he'd been on a tour of the South East picking up other amps he'd bought off others on here. So I guess he wasn't that hard up after all.

It pissed me off even more when the amp was relisted a short while after for more than I sold it for. 

You live and learn. 

reminds me of the guitar I sold to someone an ex-bandmate introduced me to. He gave me the heartstring-tugging-make-ends-meet story and as he was a friend of a friend I sold for less than I'd planned to. My decision I stress.

He turned up to collect it in his Maserfuckingrati 

I once gave away a fridge via Freecycle, thinking it was deservedly going to someone in need.

A well to do lady in a brand new Landrover Discovery came to pick it up and informed me she’d been looking for ages to find the ideal fridge for storing her gin collection.

Some people are so disgustingly selfish and don't even seem to realise it.

CMW335

thegummy said:

CMW335 said:

CHRISB50 said:

impmann said:

JezWynd said:

imalrightjack said:

  I'm all for a haggle but if something is more expensive than you can afford, why be dick about it?

Don’t assume that they can’t afford it. Lots of rich people get that way because they begrudge paying the going rate for anything. 

THIS

I've had someone on here give me a story, I needed to sell, so dropped my trousers a bit.

When he turned up to collect he proudly informed me he'd been on a tour of the South East picking up other amps he'd bought off others on here. So I guess he wasn't that hard up after all.

It pissed me off even more when the amp was relisted a short while after for more than I sold it for. 

You live and learn. 

In this scenario though you have been made an offer you are happy enough with to sell for so whats the issue? Perhaps you would still be trying to sell it now if not for that guy.

Not a dig at you I just think people are quick to get all upset if buyers try and sell gear on at a higher price but said it before we are all grown up enough to decide the prices we are happy to buy or sell for. Once that parts done then what does it matter what the new owner does?

If buying gear I stick to some simple rules

1 - I don't buy new as I know I will likely lose money even if i try and sell it next day still in its cardboard box

2 - I don't buy anything second hand for a price I don't think I can recover should I want/need to sell it on and yeah I go in with low offers to kick start negotiations

When Selling

1 - I mark up a little to account for lowballers with the exception of the forum where i generally list things at my desired price

2 - I never sell at a price I am not comfortable with and I don't care what the new owner does with it

Either way I am always respectful that buyers and sellers have their own valuation and their own best price, if I don't want to meet that price then I move on I certainly don't get abusive. 

If you were respectful you'd offer what it's worth rather than hoping to cash in on potential desperation.

A bit melodramatic I’m sure we all like a bargain nothing wrong with trying to get one. Nobody is forcing anyone to sell and it works both ways as I have had numerous offers under my asking prices on almost anything I have sold ever... never accepted one I didn’t want to and never cared what happens to the item when I do sell.

thegummy

CMW335 said:

A bit melodramatic I’m sure we all like a bargain nothing wrong with trying to get one. Nobody is forcing anyone to sell and it works both ways as I have had numerous offers under my asking prices on almost anything I have sold ever... never accepted one I didn’t want to and never cared what happens to the item when I do sell.

So, in your opinion, is there never anything wrong with trying to get a bargain or are there some occasions when it would be immoral?

CMW335

thegummy said:

CMW335 said:

A bit melodramatic I’m sure we all like a bargain nothing wrong with trying to get one. Nobody is forcing anyone to sell and it works both ways as I have had numerous offers under my asking prices on almost anything I have sold ever... never accepted one I didn’t want to and never cared what happens to the item when I do sell.

So, in your opinion, is there never anything wrong with trying to get a bargain or are there some occasions when it would be immoral?

There's an infinite amount of scenarios you can judge that on I am comfortable with how my moral compass is set. I am talking about the simple tactic of offering under the asking price for a second hand item then negotiating from there if that makes me a bad guy then I'm guilty, flog me.. I am not going to enquire about someones personal circumstances before making an offer on their guitar.. do you do that? Do you always go in and pay someones asking price without making an offer?

mbe

Anyone said, "Your item is over-priced..." to a shop?

thegummy

CMW335 said:

thegummy said:

CMW335 said:

A bit melodramatic I’m sure we all like a bargain nothing wrong with trying to get one. Nobody is forcing anyone to sell and it works both ways as I have had numerous offers under my asking prices on almost anything I have sold ever... never accepted one I didn’t want to and never cared what happens to the item when I do sell.

So, in your opinion, is there never anything wrong with trying to get a bargain or are there some occasions when it would be immoral?

There's an infinite amount of scenarios you can judge that on I am comfortable with how my moral compass is set. I am talking about the simple tactic of offering under the asking price for a second hand item then negotiating from there if that makes me a bad guy then I'm guilty, flog me.. I am not going to enquire about someones personal circumstances before making an offer on their guitar.. do you do that? Do you always go in and pay someones asking price without making an offer?

It sounds like that in a roundabout way you're accepting there are plenty of circumstances that making low offers would be exploitative but that you justify it by assuming the seller is also a "profit as much as possible" type who will simply confidently say no to any offers that don't satisfy them.

The reality is, though, that a lot of people selling are not that type of person and are often very much in need of money. They might not have got any offers for a couple of days then feel forced to take your low offer in fear that no others will come and they'll be left without money that they need.

Could understand if the maximum you would pay is under their asking price so telling them to get back to you if it doesn't sell for more but you say you're offering lower than you would pay in the hope that there are circumstances - that you don't want to know about - cause them to accept and get you a bargain at the other person's expense.

Obviously I can't stop you doing anything, just like there's no way to really stop anyone doing terrible things they do but when you say there's nothing wrong with it that's not correct, you just don't care about it. It's the same logic as those people who claim there's nothing wrong with 10'000% pay day loans because no one "has to" take one.

Edit: forgot to answer your question - of course I wouldn't make a low offer, surely that would be clear by me saying it's not right. If someone's price was too high I'd just continue looking.

bgmartinsbridge

This thread is changing from someone being told their gear is overpriced, stupidly, to focusing on the immoral/ moral question of should you ever offer less than the asking price. 

We're now in a society that has conditioned us to make offers on houses, cars etc. And ebay best offers. 

Have I ever walked in to someones house, seen that they have no cash and paid more than I would have. Er, yes, actually. 

However, on here most people expect to be offered 'slightly' less and if not they have firm prices. 

To ask if there is ever a time when offering under the asking price is immoral, well that sounds like a A level paper to me :-)