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How to make an offer without being rude/insulting.

Tomorrow I am taking a look at some early silver coins a friend of mine collected over the years, now moving on to collecting gold and modern silver.
Anyway, from a few prices he quoted me, they sounded rather high.
How can I make an offer, without sounding like a "low baller".
The problem is with [most] people, is that they feel that a coin is worth X, but in reality it's worth X.
So sometimes an offer can insult a person. The offer may not be low in reality, but if they think their coin is worth a lot more than reality, it can bruise their ego.
So, how can one make an offer on a coin, while at the same time pointing out a realistic price, and not sound rude?
Anyway, from a few prices he quoted me, they sounded rather high.
How can I make an offer, without sounding like a "low baller".
The problem is with [most] people, is that they feel that a coin is worth X, but in reality it's worth X.
So sometimes an offer can insult a person. The offer may not be low in reality, but if they think their coin is worth a lot more than reality, it can bruise their ego.
So, how can one make an offer on a coin, while at the same time pointing out a realistic price, and not sound rude?
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However, if the seller/friend is without experience, and just goes by retail guides, you will probably not but anything.
<< <i>The problem is with [most] people, is that they feel that a coin is worth X, but in reality it's worth X. >>
Huh? I think you mean "it's worth y".
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>Tomorrow I am taking a look at some early silver coins a friend of mine collected over the years, now moving on to collecting gold and modern silver.
Anyway, from a few prices he quoted me, they sounded rather high.
How can I make an offer, without sounding like a "low baller".
The problem is with [most] people, is that they feel that a coin is worth X, but in reality it's worth X.
So sometimes an offer can insult a person. The offer may not be low in reality, but if they think their coin is worth a lot more than reality, it can bruise their ego.
So, how can one make an offer on a coin, while at the same time pointing out a realistic price, and not sound rude? >>
What leads you to believe that the coins aren't worth x?
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Lance.
<< <i>Hi, It's called "would you take"............simple........all your seller can do is say no........... >>
It really is this simple.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I knew we were too far apart, that I did not bother making an offer, but thanked him for his time.
Sometimes no offer is better if you are too far apart.
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
<< <i>
Sometimes no offer is better if you are too far apart. >>
My philosophy is that it never hurts to make a bid.
<< <i>
<< <i>
Sometimes no offer is better if you are too far apart. >>
My philosophy is that it never hurts to make a bid. >>
The concern is that some individuals are easily offended, and an offer they consider too low can burn a bridge.
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
<< <i>
Anyway, from a few prices he quoted me, they sounded rather high.
>>
That's pretty easy. "I can't do anything with it at that price" is the answer.
<< <i>I see a dark road ahead for this thread... >>
And shirtless.
<< <i>I see a dark road ahead for this thread... >>
And shirtless.
edited for...
Tomorrow I am taking a look at some early silver coins a friend of mine collected over the years, now moving on to collecting gold and modern silver.
Seeing how you are 29 (or 20, whichever you feel comfortable being), how many years have these coins been collected??????
And, have any of you seen how many of the OP's posts are edited?.....much like a few others who, fortunately, are no longer allowed? Seems to me more than one bammee is back with an alt, along with 'Ionlycollectcoins' (something like that).....joined April, 2011, first post today. Whats going on here lately?
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>
Sometimes no offer is better if you are too far apart. >>
My philosophy is that it never hurts to make a bid. >>
The concern is that some individuals are easily offended, and an offer they consider too low can burn a bridge. >>
I tend to agree.
I guess the problem is the question this guy kept asking, where am I going to find buyers at those prices which are several hundred dollars over a coin that sold earlier in the year. A recent sale on ebay showed only $850 when the PPG is quoting $1800.
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
After all, he is looking to get rid of it too and go onto something else.
Just offer to help him sell it on ebay or at an auction site or even sell them on the BST board right here but he has to do all the packaging.
That way you remain friends.
If they do not sell you can simply state that you can give him a back up offer ONLY if they do not sell (if he is desperate to sell).
<< <i>
<< <i>I see a dark road ahead for this thread... >>
And shirtless.
edited for...
Tomorrow I am taking a look at some early silver coins a friend of mine collected over the years, now moving on to collecting gold and modern silver.
Seeing how you are 29 (or 20, whichever you feel comfortable being), how many years have these coins been collected??????
And, have any of you seen how many of the OP's posts are edited?.....much like a few others who, fortunately, are no longer allowed? Seems to me more than one bammee is back with an alt, along with 'Ionlycollectcoins' (something like that).....joined April, 2011, first post today. Whats going on here lately? >>
He has digital birdie droppings all over the internet.
Otherwise, I would make an offer based on what works for me. "The best I can do on these is x" I would not make negative comments about his collection like "my gosh who graded this piece of trash" or "gee man I did not realize you were such a junk hoarder."
What you don't want to do is overpay for stuff you don't really need especially if some of it may be low end or trash. What you put in coins today is like investing in a 401k. Perhaps one day you will need the money from what you have in your coins to help make ends meet like if you were forced into early social due to job loss / age bias in the job market or encountered some other life situation where you needed to liquidate your coin collection.
I believe if you make an offer slightly more than what a coin shop would give him then you have done the best you could.
If the coins are raw it is going to be more difficult.
On slabbed coins figure 83% of the PCGS values.
If it is that sensitive, the advice to pass is good advice.
<< <i>Bring something in print - hard to ignore objective evidence of a respected price guide. >>
Good idea. The Gray Sheet would be a good price source for most commonly traded coins.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>
<< <i>Bring something in print - hard to ignore objective evidence of a respected price guide. >>
Good idea. The Gray Sheet would be a good price source for most commonly traded coins. >>
I would remind the readers that Grey Sheet is dealer to dealer prices. Since there are fewer and fewer collectors , prices may vary from dealer to dealer. Each coin /set/ album/ jar of coins, etc., stands on it's own merit.
Often times I have to remind collectors/sellers that I will sell them the same thing they're trying to sell me for less than they're asking me to buy it for. That usually wakes them up.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
This may very well lead into him explaining his asking price.
<< <i>It doesn't hurt to download Bluesheet occasionally, which also carries CAC and plus pricing now on the third week.
Personally, I am willing to take a loss occasionally when a collector really wants one of my coins. At the club meeting last night I sold a generic gem CAC Buffalo and an MS63 Indian cent, PCGS certified for $75, the collector really wanted the coins so he is happy; also a D mint San Diego gem for $150, I took a small loss, but the collector was happy. If in the long run I am making money then I am content. I am not going to fight over transactions that are petty, but will hold to firm dollar figures when the market is well established. It helps when other people are around as some people will take advantage in one on one exchanges. There are literally many books on winning through intimidation and manipulation. Those are people you want to avoid. A NY metro dealer advertises that he pays a lot more than the hotel buyers; the trick is that when people walk in with gold jewelry studded with gems, he will offer just on the precious metals and not make market offers on the gems. Customers do not want to walk out in many cases with loose gems so they may let serious $$ value go just to be done with the deal. I stopped at a Vermont coin dealer who offered around $2700 for one diamond ring; the customer said the local jeweler had offered around $500! Knowledge is power. With inherited value, many people do not know what they have and they must do due diligence so as to not get ripped off as an inheritance is a great thing to preserve for a family. >>
This is a nice read.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I see a dark road ahead for this thread... >>
And shirtless.
edited for...
Tomorrow I am taking a look at some early silver coins a friend of mine collected over the years, now moving on to collecting gold and modern silver.
Seeing how you are 29 (or 20, whichever you feel comfortable being), how many years have these coins been collected??????
And, have any of you seen how many of the OP's posts are edited?.....much like a few others who, fortunately, are no longer allowed? Seems to me more than one bammee is back with an alt, along with 'Ionlycollectcoins' (something like that).....joined April, 2011, first post today. Whats going on here lately? >>
He has digital birdie droppings all over the internet. >>
Most undesirables DO wind up having a trail. Everyone's favorite former poster had a trail not 1, but 2 miles long, and anything but flattering. Notice the OP also uses the same icon as bammed member 'coirn', and didn't that turn out to be an alt of........??? I'll give it up that it could be a coincidence, but the mega postings, the numerous editing of posts, it's the same MO, it all wreaks. And I wonder why this place ain't like it used to be. I won't/can't get involved any further, but I'm gonna enjoy watching this zit come to a head and pop. SaorAlba, this one's all yours! Seems you've done your homework already!! lol
a blank planchet.
<< <i> I won't/can't get involved any further, but I'm gonna enjoy watching this zit come to a head and pop. >>
Okay, tell me you have actually seen his picture!
<< <i>If it's a friend and you feel his ask is high instead of making an offer just ask if that's his bottom line.
This may very well lead into him explaining his asking price. >>
I think that is what I'm going to do.
<< <i>if you are friends do not make an offer and tell him why. Tell him because you ARE friends and his coins are not what you need.
After all, he is looking to get rid of it too and go onto something else.
Just offer to help him sell it on ebay or at an auction site or even sell them on the BST board right here but he has to do all the packaging.
That way you remain friends.
If they do not sell you can simply state that you can give him a back up offer ONLY if they do not sell (if he is desperate to sell). >>
This thread started with a friend and a friend.
20 years of collecting as a labor of love. The pride he's earned sweating over finding and making acquisitions the way all collectors do. And now he's letting it go. Consider it a compliment that he wants you to look. Would not you yourself be highly positive, perhaps even to a point approaching overly optimistic, in thinking your own collection had many premium pieces? Neither of you thinks the other is collecting junk. Truth is, just like him, you'd be afraid of giving your best stuff away too cheaply, especially early on. It's not a flea market deal.
Let's assume the numbers are too high in general. But maybe for different reasons in different types or dates.
If the pricing is hard for you to understand, ask him how he got to those numbers himself. Price guides, auction records.... all are useful. Ownership is worth a "half a point" bias in rarity and PQness. You don't have to dislike his numbers, just take ownership of liking your own better.
If the coins are not generic there are too many pricing algorithms explore here. The point is to have a dialogue, not a battle of wits. Not mano a mano
Be sure he knows you don't think his prices or sense of quality are "wrong". Find something good to say (or better, ask) about more than a piece or two that either of the two of you likes a lot. If there's a piece you actually think is within reach (20%? Who knows what a stretch might be on any particular coin?) compliment it a lot. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn't it? Think. You're not surrendering, you're agreeing. You're not giving ground in a numbers game. The coin is worthy of enthusiasm. The validation will make a counter-offer much more palatable on the 3 coins out of every 20 that actually matter to you.
Your exit line may contain variations on "You sure know what you're doing. This stuff is neat. Wish I could have figured them for more. You'll find the right buyers. "
There are lots of ways to say no gently. Don't apologize. Thank instead.
That way this thread has a better chance of ending up with a friend and a friend.
edited to add: Oh, and if you score, keep your mouth shut
<< <i>
<< <i>if you are friends do not make an offer and tell him why. Tell him because you ARE friends and his coins are not what you need.
After all, he is looking to get rid of it too and go onto something else.
Just offer to help him sell it on ebay or at an auction site or even sell them on the BST board right here but he has to do all the packaging.
That way you remain friends.
If they do not sell you can simply state that you can give him a back up offer ONLY if they do not sell (if he is desperate to sell). >>
This thread started with a friend and a friend.
20 years of collecting as a labor of love. The pride he's earned sweating over finding and making acquisitions the way all collectors do. And now he's letting it go. Consider it a compliment that he wants you to look. Would not you yourself be highly positive, perhaps even to a point approaching overly optimistic, in thinking your own collection had many premium pieces? Neither of you thinks the other is collecting junk. Truth is, just like him, you'd be afraid of giving your best stuff away too cheaply, especially early on. It's not a flea market deal.
Let's assume the numbers are too high in general. But maybe for different reasons in different types or dates.
If the pricing is hard for you to understand, ask him how he got to those numbers himself. Price guides, auction records.... all are useful, all are subject to the "ownership is worth half a point" bias in rarity and PQness. If the coins are not generic there are too many pricing algorithms explore here. The point is to have a dialogue, not a battle of wits. Not mano a mano
Be sure he knows you don't think his prices or sense of quality are "wrong". Find something good to say (or better, ask) about more than a piece or two that either of the two of you likes a lot. If there's a piece you actually think is within reach (20%? Who knows what a stretch might be on any particular coin?) compliment it a lot. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn't it? Think. You're not surrendering, you're agreeing. You're not giving ground in a numbers game. The coin is worthy of enthusiasm. The validation will make a counter-offer much more palatable on the 3 coins out of every 20 that actually matter to you.
Your exit line may contain variations on "You sure know what you're doing. This stuff is neat. Wish I could have figured them for more. You'll find the right buyers. "
There are lots of ways to say no gently. Don't apologize. Thank instead.
That way this thread has a better chance of ending up with a friend and a friend. >>
Very informative post. I will try this and see if it works. Thanks for your reply.
edited because it's a more personal message
I would need a triple teleprompter to do what the Colonel says to do!
<< <i>Gosh,
I would need a triple teleprompter to do what the Colonel says to do!
But you would do it naturally.
It's not a script, just some things that happen most naturally when you're conscious working for win-win.
But I will say, Oreville, that's some attitude you have. You were much more receptive to suggestions about the VF-XF line on Morgans. In the meantime, in the same spirit with which your comment is given,
BITE ME!!!!