Who should establish $: Buyer or Seller?

Mintacular

This is a situation that constantly arises and would like to hear some opinions on: Who is responsible for establishing a "starting price" on an item up for sale? As a general rule, I think the SELLER should and here's why:

1) They know what they put into it
2) They know how much they want out of it (in most cases)
3) It gives the buyer a "ballpark" idea of what the seller wants and can save the buyer a whole lot of wasted time, etc.

After the seller names a starting price, the buyer can easily move forward and accept/decline, or begin the counteroffer process.

The only exception to the rule is that if you get something that you haven't had a chance to price out and a buyer is insistent on picking it up, I would think it is fair to ask them what they will pay for it, or to return later when the seller has a chance to tally up a sale price.

Case in point: If anyone read the Mantle thread on the B/S/T forum, the seller wasted a whole bunch of people's time by just not disclosing a starting price. Very frustrating.

I am open to other opinions as I am not dead set on my philosophy of negotiation.

(Note: My one and only OT today--last night was a Pens night so added a "bonus" thread about the Red Wings which would be a great place to bash me Bill-o-Clowns...)

Boopotts

Everything works much smoother if the person who initiates the transaction puts up the first number. Doing this puts you at an enormous strategic disadvantage in a bargaining situation, obviously, which is why nobody likes to do it, but this system is the fairest way to conduct business.

So, for instance, if I have something to sell, I shouldn't say 'PM me with offers'-- I should just list my asking price and move on. However, if I scan a card just for the sake of showing it, and someone happens to be interested in it, they shouldn't PM me and say 'how much do you want for it'--instead, they should PM me their buy price and we can take it from there.

augustaman

Uh oh. The "Mantle Collection" for sale thread has morphed into another forum.

But to answer your question in the general sense.........If you're selling something, what
price are you selling it for?

Seller should state the asking price and parties can go on from that point.

fattymacs

I tried to sell things with a "make offer" strategy, it didn't work. Once I put a price on the items they sold within a day or so.

IchiroDeported

obviously if you have a giant mantle collection of trimmed/counterfeit cards you should sell them on craiglist, but not before trying to fleece the members of a highly respected message board.

lsutigers1973

Was this thread really necessary? Please start one thread asking a question that you don't already know the answer to.

Mintacular

Bill--since you know everything already about collecting it's time for you to take a hike. Thank you.

lsutigers1973

If you go to Walmart, do you ever find anything that says "Make an Offer"?

Common sense called. He would like to meet you.

KbKards

It may be common sense to people with common sense, but most collectors pretend to have amnesia when they're asked how much they want for their cards. The only thing that snaps them out of this condition is if you offer less than they want. They'll then tell you all about Beckett, SMR, VCP etc.

saucywombat

Rule #1 for anything -

Never bid against yourself.

Example: Don't name a price to start when someone approachs you with the question "How much would you sell that for?" (Meaninf they want to buy something you did not have up for sale) Let them bid and then you can set your expectations going forward.

So to answer your question - the person initiating the sales process should establish the initial offer.