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If you are selling, Why I have to make an offer?
SIRAMEDO
Posts: 80
Hi :
Merry Chritsmas and Happy New Year.
Maybe I'm alone in this but I don't understand the following:
1. If you are selling let me know your price. Why I have to make an offer? Is your merchandise and you can ask the price that you want. If you are selling and ask me for an offer, I understand that you think that I'm a moron and want to take advantage over me.
2. If I'm buying, I let you know my offer. I have to make you and offer, because you aren't selling and I'm interested in the item.
What you think? I'm wrong?
Best regards,
Siramedo
Merry Chritsmas and Happy New Year.
Maybe I'm alone in this but I don't understand the following:
1. If you are selling let me know your price. Why I have to make an offer? Is your merchandise and you can ask the price that you want. If you are selling and ask me for an offer, I understand that you think that I'm a moron and want to take advantage over me.
2. If I'm buying, I let you know my offer. I have to make you and offer, because you aren't selling and I'm interested in the item.
What you think? I'm wrong?
Best regards,
Siramedo
I am always buying 1972 Puerto Rican League Stickers, 1948-49 Toleteros, 1949-50 Toleteros and 1950-51 Toleteros. e-mail pajoyeros@coqui.net
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It is easier to move for a seller if you price items out on the B/S/T board. Many times I have placed items with "make an offer" just to see what activity I might get for it or if I don't know what it should go for. It is very hard to sell on the board because there are guys who just want to look at scans with zero desire to buy. I have had some success in selling to people who frequent the message board and those guys have been great to work with. I also have had experience with guys that are tire kickers and it hacks me off when you go to the trouble of scanning and discussing prices and they don't respond back or are looking for mint cards at a VG value.
Shane
http://www.unisquare.com/store/brick/
Ralph
<< <i>1. If you are selling let me know your price. Why I have to make an offer? Is your merchandise and you can ask the price that you want. If you are selling and ask me for an offer, I understand that you think that I'm a moron and want to take advantage over me. >>
Definitely the same thing with buyers. If you're looking for a card, post something on the BST forum and let everyone know what you're willing to pay for it.
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
Shane
Bernie Kosar collector
The way I operate when someone tells me to make them an offer is this.. Tell me your bottom line and I will either buy it or not, I wont haggle back & forth or try to lowball you and waste your time.
I cannot stand it when someone trys to lowball me so I never do it to anyone.
I had a card on Ebay last year with a $1400 BIN or BO on it and this guy offers me $600 for it, I politely decline and then get a $900 offer which I quickly shoot down and tell the person my bottom line is $1300 take it or leave it end of discussion. It worked, and the card was sold. I did ask the guy why he bothered with a stupid offer if he was willing to pay what the card was worth? "Well you never know" was his answer, after thinking about it I got a little aggrevated for some reason, hence I never lowball anyone.
Basically I like having the option to make an offer. Others may not and that's OK...Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Bernie Kosar collector
I've sold stuff dirt cheap to people that have just offered, alot of the time I just want it gone.
I've also offered VCP avg. (and higher) to people that post "make offer" and immediately got a much higher counter, in these cases I usually just pass.
It's all part of the game and I really don't get worked up about it.
$0.02
Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
Most recently, a card I'm interested in was listed at $400, which is much more than I would pay. Well, last night I noticed that it was sold with a best offer of $250!
If I'd have known the seller would go that low, I would've jumped on it. In fact, I would've gone $275. It's just that when I see a price of $400, I feel that I'm insulting the seller if I offer only $275 for it.
The same thing happened about a week or two ago...the seller accepted an offer around 60% of his "selling" price on an item I would have paid more for had I known the seller would go that low.
Make your selling price more closely resemble what you'll accept for the item, and you'll sell more!
Steve
If he is talking about eBay, then I disagree with him because I like the BIN/BO feature as a buyer and seller.
If he is talking about our Buy/Sell/Trade board here at CU where there is a "for sale" thread in which the seller does not list any pricing and just says "if you are interested PM me with offers", then I agree with him 100%.
SL
1. The seller hopes for a completely ridiculous offer that exceeds his expectations.
2. I give the seller a vcp or slightly above quote, or a best guess for very rare cards.
3. The seller either disengages from the sale completely or replies tersely with "I can't sell you the card for this price."
While we are talking about selling practices, I will also note that the use of "I bought the card for xx so I need to make a profit" or "I bought the card when the canadian exchange was XX and now it's much lower" as lobbying points for a higher price are completely meaningless to me, the buyer. I really don't care.
Nathanael
On a related note, one thing that drives me up a wall is when Ebayers email me and say 'What's the best price you can give me on 'x'? Or, in essence, 'I'd like to ask you to negotiate against yourself'. If I'm a seller, and I have a price up, a buyer is always welcome to counter, but don't needle around and ask me to give you the price at which I'm indifferent about selling.
Edit to add: If you don't want to initiate with a price but you want a buyer to 'make an offer', there's a method of selling that will accomplish just that. It's called an AUCTION. Anyone who posts in the B/S/T with this 'make offer' BS should acquaint themselves with Ebay. You can run online auctions there- I hear it's really catching on.
Currently collecting 1934 Butterfinger, 1969 Nabisco, 1991 Topps Desert Shield (in PSA 9 or 10), and 1990 Donruss Learning Series (in PSA 10).
<< <i>If you don't want to initiate with a price but you want a buyer to 'make an offer', there's a method of selling that will accomplish just that. It's called an AUCTION. Anyone who posts in the B/S/T with this 'make offer' BS should acquaint themselves with Ebay. You can run online auctions there- I hear it's really catching on. >>
<< <i>If you don't want to initiate with a price but you want a buyer to 'make an offer', there's a method of selling that will accomplish just that. It's called an AUCTION. Anyone who posts in the B/S/T with this 'make offer' BS should acquaint themselves with Ebay. You can run online auctions there- I hear it's really catching on. >>
LOL. I almost posted the exact same thing (only without the sarcastic undertone).
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
All the issues in this thread with people worried about insulting a seller, seller not wanting to be taken advantage of, buyers complaining that the seller sold an item lower than what they would have paid, all mean nothng once you take the emotion out the situation. You'll either have a deal or not and then move on.
<< <i>Whether it's dealing in cards or everday business, when I'm faced with the "Make an Offer" situation, I remember Tom Hagen telling Sonny Corleone in the Godfather "It's business Sonny, not personal".
All the issues in this thread with people worried about insulting a seller, seller not wanting to be taken advantage of, buyers complaining that the seller sold an item lower than what they would have paid, all mean nothng once you take the emotion out the situation. You'll either have a deal or not and then move on. >>
1000%
according to my values and my needs. Nothing holds dominion over me, I stand alone as the ruler of my life.
"All evil needs to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
agree 100%
I used to make fair offers (sometimes higher than VCP and current market) for items that I liked, but in more cases than not, the seller really had no intention of selling unless they got a ridiculous price. Likewise, I typically put prices on what I'm selling and price them fairly and with little wiggle room. If someone wants them, great. If not, they sit.
I don't understand why some have decided to make buying and/or selling such a drawn out process. Just tell me what you need and if it's a price I'm willing to pay, we've got a deal. If you feel the need to squeeze me for another few bucks, just include it in the original offer. I'm not in the mood to chase emails to negotiate.
<< <i>I've passed on more than a few items that have been posted with "make an offer." I don't have the time or patience to worry about putting together my best offer and then having the seller haggle, counter or better yet reply that they're insulted.
I used to make fair offers (sometimes higher than VCP and current market) for items that I liked, but in more cases than not, the seller really had no intention of selling unless they got a ridiculous price. Likewise, I typically put prices on what I'm selling and price them fairly and with little wiggle room. If someone wants them, great. If not, they sit.
I don't understand why some have decided to make buying and/or selling such a drawn out process. Just tell me what you need and if it's a price I'm willing to pay, we've got a deal. If you feel the need to squeeze me for another few bucks, just include it in the original offer. I'm not in the mood to chase emails to negotiate. >>
I walked away in shame. We had Macaroni and Cheese for dinner.
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
<< <i>I just went to Kroger to pick up some ground beef. There were no prices on anything in the store. I asked the guy behind the meat counter how much the ground beef was, and he told me to make him an offer. I replied that I had no idea how much ground beef was, but since we were having hamburgers for dinner, it would be a good idea for me to purchase some to bring home. He hemmed and hawed a bit, but after five minutes, he still refused to give me a price. I finally offered him a dollar. He rolled his eyes and asked me if I had any idea how much he had invested in that beef? He asked if I knew the current SMR (Sirloin Market Report) or VCP (Vintage Cow Price) price? I had to admit that I did not.
I walked away in shame. We had Macaroni and Cheese for dinner.
That is funny as hell.
<< <i>Whether it's dealing in cards or everday business, when I'm faced with the "Make an Offer" situation, I remember Tom Hagen telling Sonny Corleone in the Godfather "It's business Sonny, not personal".
All the issues in this thread with people worried about insulting a seller, seller not wanting to be taken advantage of, buyers complaining that the seller sold an item lower than what they would have paid, all mean nothng once you take the emotion out the situation. You'll either have a deal or not and then move on. >>
Who takes emotion out of a potential transaction? You want to tell me you've never felt your heart rate go up as you watch the final seconds of an Ebay transaction tick away, and you're still the high bidder. You don't feel butterflies when you walk into a car dealership? The Corleones' silliness aside, all business is personal, no matter how much we wish the opposite were true.
Edit to add: 'Silliness' is a bad word choice, since it sounds needlessly inflammatory. But I still stand by my premise, which is that virtually nothing we do-- much less anything in the world of commerce-- is guided strictly, or even primarily, by analytics.
I like to list with a "Make Offer" because:
1. If I know or like you I will likely take less.
2. If you are buying multiple cards I will discount much more willingly than if you are cherry picking my best card of the group.
3. As a listing gets ready to close, I can weigh multiple offers and decide who gets the card based on feedback, offer price, and whether or not I've done business with you in the past.
4. If I'm not that interested in selling a card, but willing to listen if a strong offer that doesn't quite reach my outrageous BIN price.
Bottom line is that I like the flexibility it gives me as a seller and I don't like selling at the absolute minimum an item will sell for. This represents 95% of most auction listings in my opinion.
<< <i>I'm sorry you guys will be by passing my listings.
I like to list with a "Make Offer" because:
1. If I know or like you I will likely take less.
2. If you are buying multiple cards I will discount much more willingly than if you are cherry picking my best card of the group.
3. As a listing gets ready to close, I can weigh multiple offers and decide who gets the card based on feedback, offer price, and whether or not I've done business with you in the past.
4. If I'm not that interested in selling a card, but willing to listen if a strong offer that doesn't quite reach my outrageous BIN price.
Bottom line is that I like the flexibility it gives me as a seller and I don't like selling at the absolute minimum an item will sell for. This represents 95% of most auction listings in my opinion. >>
I think most of us would agree that BIN/BO is a whole different situation then a B/S/T post where you say 'make offer'. In a BIN/BO you HAVE listed a price- you're just making it clear that the price is negotiable. If BIN/BO's with outrageous initial prices were offensive we'd all have to chase down Nick and beat on his kidneys with big sticks.
<< <i>.....If BIN/BO's with outrageous initial prices were offensive we'd all have to chase down Nick and beat on his kidneys with big sticks. >>
Thank God they are both still working pretty good. Knock on wood.
Currently collecting 1934 Butterfinger, 1969 Nabisco, 1991 Topps Desert Shield (in PSA 9 or 10), and 1990 Donruss Learning Series (in PSA 10).
In my younger years I was known for my fiery temper. It took me many years to realize that my emotions worked against me in my business and personal dealings. Once I put my faith in just analyzing a deal I became a much better trader and business person. My health also improved
Even when a deal lost me money, I wouldn't get upset. I would go back and try to see what I missed and learned from my mistake.
So to answer your question, No, my heart rate doesn't go up in the final seconds of an Ebay auction or when I walk into a car dealership. I Know what I want to pay and don't pay any more than that.
I also didn't take your silliness comment as inflammatory (even before your retraction), I just took it as your opinion. That's what these boards are for...stating our opinions.
I do agree with your statement that a BIN/BO is a different situation than posting "Make me an offer" on the B/S/T board. But even than, we have the choice to respond or move on. It's just not worth worrying over.
<< <i>Seems to make everyone happy....but I know exactly what would occur, so here I go: Someone will post a response ridiculing how high/or low the price quoted was and then there will be an avalanche of counter stories about how high/or low the posted price was. >>
Some of the high/low banter is a by-product of being on a message board. If someone doesn't want unwanted feedback on their pricing, then they can always just sell their cards on eBay.
There is a tendency on CU (and other public message boards) to try and keep sellers in line with what is perceived as market pricing (i.e., VCP). Whether that's to protect other members from predatory prices or just to rattle the seller's cage, I'm not sure. It's probably a little of both.
bobsbbcards SGC Registry Sets
<< <i>
<< <i>Seems to make everyone happy....but I know exactly what would occur, so here I go: Someone will post a response ridiculing how high/or low the price quoted was and then there will be an avalanche of counter stories about how high/or low the posted price was. >>
Some of the high/low banter is a by-product of being on a message board. If someone doesn't want unwanted feedback on their pricing, then they can always just sell their cards on eBay.
There is a tendency on CU (and other public message boards) to try and keep sellers in line with what is perceived as market pricing (i.e., VCP). Whether that's to protect other members from predatory prices or just to rattle the seller's cage, I'm not sure. It's probably a little of both. >>
I guess it would be best to be close to the VCP price on your initial post....maybe that's the correct answer. Haven't joined VCP in past, maybe I will have to check it out again. How much is it now to join, anyone know??
Would they be able to give a quote for a NM/MT 1978 Topps football set for example?? thanks al.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Seems to make everyone happy....but I know exactly what would occur, so here I go: Someone will post a response ridiculing how high/or low the price quoted was and then there will be an avalanche of counter stories about how high/or low the posted price was. >>
Some of the high/low banter is a by-product of being on a message board. If someone doesn't want unwanted feedback on their pricing, then they can always just sell their cards on eBay.
There is a tendency on CU (and other public message boards) to try and keep sellers in line with what is perceived as market pricing (i.e., VCP). Whether that's to protect other members from predatory prices or just to rattle the seller's cage, I'm not sure. It's probably a little of both. >>
I guess it would be best to be close to the VCP price on your initial post....maybe that's the correct answer. Haven't joined VCP in past, maybe I will have to check it out again. How much is it now to join, anyone know??
Would they be able to give a quote for a NM/MT 1978 Topps football set for example?? thanks al. >>
<< <i>$12.99 per month for the Silver Membership, $19.99 per month for the Gold >>
Gold is only $17.99 per month, and $179.90 for 12 months - which can be viewed as 2 months free, or $14.99 per month for all 12 months (whichever way you want to look at it).
I think that for any item with a pretty well established value - let's say a 1975 George Brett PSA 8 for example - a price should be asked/stated - it is relatively easy to find/verify what a range of price has been/should be for such a card. I think the "make an offer" proposition lends itself more to items with a less clearly established value - T 206 Wagner - PSA 8 for example. I wonder if the guy who paid 2.1 million for it made the offer or if it was priced at that?? As stated earlier in this thread, it is ultimately up to the sellers and buyers to only deal in a manner comfortable to them, don't like a seller/buyer or they manner in whcih they conduct themeselves or their business - don't do business.