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A Suggestion for those Selling on the BST Forum

RampageRampage Posts: 9,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
Instead of starting off asking "make me an offer", why not simply list the price you want?

Comments

  • CgbCgb Posts: 710
    I agree.. I am often to lazy to make an offer image
  • CoinHuskerCoinHusker Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭


    << <i>"make me an offer" >>



    That bugs me too. They obviously have a price in mind. I think they are just fishing for a highball offer to jump on. IMO
    Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,725 ✭✭✭✭✭
    For widgets, I agree.

    However, I'll often get things out of left field where I honestly don't know the value and where I'd be happy to pass on a good deal. If you don't want to make an offer, that's your choice, but you might be surprised at what I'd accept...
  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,997 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>However, I'll often get things out of left field where I honestly don't know the value >>


    Good point.
  • lkrarecoinslkrarecoins Posts: 2,137 ✭✭✭
    as my daughter would say " I can't like it" either...

    However, Jonathanb has the same view as I do....If something is truly unique, how can you really put a price on it???

    For example, I have a Yeoman Red Book with doubled lettering on the cover. Now, there are Red Book collectors out there who collect error books as well.
    I've never seen a transaction on EBAY or elsewhere for this type of book, so how would I know what to ask???

    For the record, I have never personally tried to sell on the BST with a "make me an offer" pitch

    Len
    In Loving Memory of my Dad......My best friend, My inspiration, and My Coin Collecting Partner

    "La Vostra Nonna Ha Faccia Del Fungo"
  • well..as they tell you in salesman 101 school, never be the one to throw out the first price. That's your floor and you're working from a position of weakness...
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,723 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great idea, what would you give me for ...image
  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,725 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just to show that I practice what I preach...

    Today I sent a pic of a non-coin item to someone I knew was interested in the subject. I told him that I didn't know what it was worth, and that either he could make me an offer or that I'd start it on eBay at $0.99 and he could take his chances.

    He offered me $150.

    I sold it to him for $100.

    I made money, and he got a better deal than he expected. I still don't know what the item was "really" worth, but I'm happy and he's happy, so it doesn't much matter beyond that...

    jonathan
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,499 ✭✭✭✭✭
    i quit selling there because it's a buyer's market image


  • << <i>

    << <i>However, I'll often get things out of left field where I honestly don't know the value >>


    Good point. >>



    Then you wait to sell it until you do some due diligence and find out. If after doing the research, you still can't, then you decide what will make you happy and price it thusly. If you are happy with 10% over what you paid, there you go. If you want 100% over, there you go. Otherwise you're describing a sort of auction format where the highest offer wins. If that's the case, put it in an auction.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image


  • << <i>Just to show that I practice what I preach...

    Today I sent a pic of a non-coin item to someone I knew was interested in the subject. I told him that I didn't know what it was worth, and that either he could make me an offer or that I'd start it on eBay at $0.99 and he could take his chances.

    He offered me $150.

    I sold it to him for $100.

    I made money, and he got a better deal than he expected. I still don't know what the item was "really" worth, but I'm happy and he's happy, so it doesn't much matter beyond that...

    jonathan >>



    95% of the time for coin items, prices are well known. Even in the very few exceptions such as your case you settled for $100, $50 less than the offer. If the buyer had offered $50, you might have taken the $50. If the buyer had offered $10,000, you probably would have agreed to a much higher price, perhaps $4000 and seemed like a prince to the potential buyer. Even in your exceptional case, I don't like the use of "make an offer" on this board.

    Personally, any "make an offer" listings go to the round file. To me it seems like folks are using BST as their private auction space, and that seems crude if not worse. If a person wants to sell using an auction format, sell at an auction venue and pay the appropiate fees, and then list on BST with Ebay in the title.



  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,221 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>"make me an offer" >>



    That bugs me too. They obviously have a price in mind. I think they are just fishing for a highball offer to jump on. IMO >>



    Whats wrong with that? Most folks want to maximize what they get for something.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • RampageRampage Posts: 9,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>"make me an offer" >>



    That bugs me too. They obviously have a price in mind. I think they are just fishing for a highball offer to jump on. IMO >>



    Whats wrong with that? Most folks want to maximize what they get for something. >>



    It seems like several BST threads I click on lately are "make me an offer" threads. As the previous posters stated, if you do not know its worth, do your research and then price it. JMHO.
  • RampageRampage Posts: 9,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>"make me an offer" >>



    That bugs me too. They obviously have a price in mind. I think they are just fishing for a highball offer to jump on. IMO >>



    Whats wrong with that? Most folks want to maximize what they get for something. >>



    It seems like several BST threads I click on lately are "make me an offer" threads. As the previous posters stated, if you do not know its worth, do your research and then price it. JMHO. >>




    There is nothing wrong at all about wanting to maximize your profits, but do the research and then price it. image
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,499 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's window shopping.
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,221 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>"make me an offer" >>



    That bugs me too. They obviously have a price in mind. I think they are just fishing for a highball offer to jump on. IMO >>



    Whats wrong with that? Most folks want to maximize what they get for something. >>



    It seems like several BST threads I click on lately are "make me an offer" threads. As the previous posters stated, if you do not know its worth, do your research and then price it. JMHO. >>




    There is nothing wrong at all about wanting to maximize your profits, but do the research and then price it. image >>



    They probably already have an idea of what they want, but for whatever reason are somewhat reluctant to post that info. Maybe they are hopin to get close to it or just want the sale kept private. Frankly I wish they would do it ALL via PM and not make their business offerings/negotiations public.
    theknowitalltroll;

  • I never "make an offer."

    If you offer less than the person wants, they become offended. If you offer more than they wanted, you got chumped. I just don't like the lose-lose nature of it.
    //ab

  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I agree; post what you want and let someone either step up, or counter back and try to chisel.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • I think I responded one time to a "make me an offer thread" with a $100 offer (this particular item
    had a yet-to-be-established value at the time). I was quickly informed that the current high "offer"
    was $1,000. So, yes, it seemed to me that it was being run as a blind auction which I didn't care
    to participate in.

    I agree with the "name your price" crowd. When offering to the public, sellers should set their
    prices. When offering to an individual dealer in a shop or at a show, it's fine to ask the dealer if
    they would like to make an offer.

    If you want to be hornery, you can always make the "looking for offers" seller a $1 offer stating
    that this is where you begin all negotiations and ask for their counter. image

    Ken

  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>[...If that's the case, put it in an auction. >>



    Or, be like Pharmer is (and not what he says) - do what you darn well want image
  • pontiacinfpontiacinf Posts: 8,915 ✭✭


    << <i>Instead of starting off asking "make me an offer", why not simply list the price you want? >>



    I was told you are a very good mind reader, so whats the problem here Richard?














    image
    image

    Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Learn to negotiate... it is a fine art, and gives you confidence in business dealings. There is training available. Cheers, RickO


  • << <i>I agree; post what you want and let someone either step up, or counter back and try to chisel. >>




    I wholly agree with you Dennis, but what if it's a case of say a Morgan with an obscure VAM associated with it? If you post "best offer" it won't offend (or shouldn't) the buyer's as it's an uncharted and most of the time with no realized history behind it.

    What would you do in this case?
    This is a very dumb ass thread. - Laura Sperber - Tuesday January 09, 2007 11:16 AM image

    Hell, I don't need to exercise.....I get enough just pushing my luck.
  • garsmithgarsmith Posts: 5,894 ✭✭
    Or how about:

    Asking price $xxx.xx o.b.o.


  • << <i>Or how about:

    Asking price $xxx.xx o.b.o. >>



    image

    My Ebay Auctions

    Currently Listed: Nothing

    Take Care, Dave


  • << <i>

    << <i>[...If that's the case, put it in an auction. >>



    Or, be like Pharmer is (and not what he says) - do what you darn well want image >>



    No clue. Feel free to reread my post, it's quite clear. Oh, now I see when you posted. You were probably looking through the bottom of your glassimage
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    Apropos of the coin posse/aka caca: "The longer he spoke of his honor, the tighter I held to my purse."

    image
  • What I do not like is how they are links to eBay. I can find it on eBay, thanks. I want to see things for sale on the forum!
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Me too, I make offers all the time just to have them tell me I'll never sell at that price.Like one that I offered 900.00 on a box set of Jefferson he said no, then I ask what he or she needs for them and never got back to me. image


    Hoard the keys.
  • IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    Count me in as one who ignores ebay sales and make an offer deals on the B/S/T. I've always regarded it as a place of trust, meaning the description matches the coin and it is priced fairly. If you can't price it there throw it up on ebay with a reserve. Too many times even items that are priced are way over priced. Fair deals need some homework on both parts, buyer and seller.

    If I want to negotiate I'll drop by a coin shop or show.
  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,426 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Instead of starting off asking "make me an offer", why not simply list the price you want? >>



    I do not see where it makes any difference. Buyers usually have a price in mind so just shoot the person your price. If he comes back to you with the image sign so be it.

    Ken

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