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going to card shows, trying to haggle
MrNearMint
Posts: 1,209 ✭✭✭
Just wondering, when you guys go to shows do you try and haggle with the dealers? If so, is there an amount that the card/item has to be over, is there a breaking point to where a buyer is crossing the line?
I went to a show this morning and tried to talk a $2.50 card down to $1.50 and basically insulted the dealer and nearly got into an argument with him.
You guys think I was out of line with my offer?
I went to a show this morning and tried to talk a $2.50 card down to $1.50 and basically insulted the dealer and nearly got into an argument with him.
You guys think I was out of line with my offer?
0
Comments
A few general rules I have when I go to a place like that:
1. It never hurts to ask.
2. Be the nicer person.
3. Paying asking price anywhere but a store is for suckers (generally)
4. Some people are a-holes. We move on.
You know, Davis, if it wasn't for the eyesore of a logo next to your name, I'd really start thinking you were a good guy!
<< <i>You did nothing wrong.
A few general rules I have when I go to a place like that:
1. It never hurts to ask.
2. Be the nicer person.
3. Paying asking price anywhere but a store is for suckers (generally)
4. Some people are a-holes. We move on. >>
Good solid advice. I agree that if you don't ask you never know what you can buy it for. I think you always need to be polite and courteous no matter what the other person is like. If you encounter a rude dealer I would move on to the next table. Plenty of others to deal with out there.
If I am buying multiple cards I always ask if they can do better if I buy more than one,many cards they can work with me on... I think a smart seller always pads their price a little bit so they can work price a little bit.
I always try to live by the saying "kill them with kindness" until it's time TO NOT BE NICE! Lol (Guess which 80's movie that's from).
So I kept my cool but it was almost getting awkward after I said I'd give him 1.50. He said something to the effect of, "I try and help you out and now you want more taken off." I kind of felt that was uncalled for and at any point he could have just said no thank you. But in the end I thanked him (multiple times) and told him I apreciate the fact that he gave me the card for 2.00 and we shook hands.
I agree with you all, As far as I'm concerned Unless it's a set corporate price it's always a good idea to ask for a discount.
Thanks again guys!
<< <i>Hey...at least he didn't break out the Beckett guide on you and offer to selling you his VG/EX card for half of high book! (or did he?)
Lol thankfully no. I probably would have just walked away. The card is in poor condition and originally had a $25 sticker on it. He kept trying to tell me that it's already discounted as if it was worth 25 and he just discounted it 90% for fun.
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
His terrible pricing strategy is what led to your offer.
<< <i>The old XX price "marked down" to XX...one of the oldest dealer tricks in the book, lol.. >>
Every so often a card dealer and by card dealer I mean a guy who just does shows and has no clue what selling online means sells me a decent sized lot of cards for a really good price. I can't tell you how often I've chuckled at the prices he has on the top loaders of most of these cards. I routinely sell his "$25 cards" for 3 or 4 bucks on ebay.
When you go to a show or anywhere
else, buying, selling, or trading involves
negotiating !!!
<< <i>Just curious dpeck, what do you mean "terrible pricing strategy?" >>
A card marked at $25 and then 90% off. Why stop at 90% then if I am a buyer? If you are willing to discount it $22.50 what is another buck?
Hence the interest in haggling on price.
It has been some time since I have been to a show and I do recall seeing bins with a price marked on them and any card or pack in the bin is priced in that manner. If he doesn't want some haggling put whatever price he is selling them on the bin and say cards are for sale at the price marked.
I think most people are trained to think that unless an item is just scorching hot there is some wiggle room. I am not even certain if someone like you wouldn't haggle if the bin was clearly marked in one manner but trying to show a deep discount to influence a purchase isn't the way to keep someone from haggling. It just encourages it. It also reduces your trust immediately in this person as it feels like they are trying to get over on you and insult your intelligence.
This guy is trying it too. Haha
Under a buck
Looks like your $1.50 offer was a solid one! All in for a $1.55 on this one.
<< <i>Amen.
You know, Davis, if it wasn't for the eyesore of a logo next to your name, I'd really start thinking you were a good guy! >>
Haha...well some things I can't change. It'll be interesting what UM Bball team shows up today against msu. MSU got a big hockey win the other night...one that UM need more for making the tourney...lotta season left tho. But we can both agree that it was a real nice W over the isles yesterday. The kids continue to impress. Nyquist and Tatar...maybe 75 goals together this year. ..awesome. Welp..this sports talk just fired me up to get the smoker going...
Good advice from Davis, Charrigan and others.
<< <i>$25
This guy is trying it too. Haha
Under a buck
Looks like your $1.50 offer was a solid one! All in for a $1.55 on this one. >>
Hmm that 53 Forrest Main has a "pristine back".
<< <i>I've always said it never hurts to ask. On the flip side, I could see why a dealer would be put off by something haggling over a $2.50 card. >>
I expected some backlash, so I'm glad you said it first, but arguing over $0.50? Get a grip and get off the wallet.
Any reputable dealer/seller/human should know this and not come off as rude and unprofessional when someone asks for a better deal (even if only a few cents).
https://kennerstartinglineup.blogspot.com/
Lee
Some guys are just crummy to deal whether as a seller or a buyer. You'll get beat up coming and going. They try to get the best of everyone, but are known as losers in the industry because of their lack of character.
To the buyer/haggler..... it's called, time to get a higher paying job.
Sure, it doesn't hurt to ask politely for a deal, but I would suggest you save those offers up on more
more expensive cards, maybe cards priced north of $50 and higher.
As a seller, I can't stand haggling. I know how to grade and I've researched my prices.
I don't mark up my cards, to then mark them down in a negotiation with a tightwad.
If a buyer buys more than one card from me and they're friendly, I will offer them a discount 90% of time as a seller even
if they didn't ask for a deal. It's called the nice person discount.
If the buyer is surly, disrespectful, annoying, looking at cards and purposefully putting them back in disorder, those buyers
get no discount. You have to be tactful if you want to try to wheel and deal in this hobby, and after 40+ years of
collecting and 20+ years of selling, I have to say very few have this ability.
I find it curious how some buyers feel like they're doing a seller a favor by spending money at their table.
It's a two-way street. With no dealers, there's no buyers, and vice versa.
As a buyer, I have asked for a better deal many times, but this was usually on an item price way over the market for the
condition.
If someone asked me for a deal on a $2 card, they would just get a cold stare.
<< <i>Only a desperate tightwad would haggle on a $2.50 card.
To the buyer/haggler..... it's called, time to get a higher paying job.
Sure, it doesn't hurt to ask politely for a deal, but I would suggest you save those offers up on more
more expensive cards, maybe cards priced north of $50 and higher.
As a seller, I can't stand haggling. I know how to grade and I've researched my prices.
I don't mark up my cards, to then mark them down in a negotiation with a tightwad.
If a buyer buys more than one card from me and they're friendly, I will offer them a discount 90% of time as a seller even
if they didn't ask for a deal. It's called the nice person discount.
I find it curious how some buyers feel like they're doing a seller a favor by spending money at their table.
It's a two-way street. >>
I am a tightwad!
I'm a stay at home dad with a very limited allowance
Why does there have to be a magic number for haggling to be accepted?
Maybe you're the minority that actually marks cards fairly and accurately as I've seen most dealers at this show price their cards high average and in many cases way over.
Although I only bought one card I was very polite. And I don't expect any deals when I buy cards but I try.
You're right, it's a two way street. This dealer actually told me he was trying to "help me out" BEFORE he sold the card to me for 2.00. How the hell is he helping me out? If thats not the ultimate car salesman line then I don't know what is.
It's kind of funny, I still feel I overpaid for this poor example of a card. The cards were stacked up in a shoebox with rubberbands around each stack.
I agree with dpeck, if he wanted to sell at his sticker price then maybe he should have clarified before negotiating began but I don't necessarily fault him for this, I just saw it as opportunity. If I knew our interaction was going to go down the way it did I wouldn't have bought the card at all. And actually, I should have said I'm sorry if you took my offer as an insult, let's just forget about it and shoulda walked away. I regret that now.
I'm not some cheeseball that struts into these shows looking to rip people off, I don't lowball lowball and try and piss people off. In fact, I've only bought 5 cards (all under $40 except a mantle which I paid sticker price) in the 3 years I've been attending this show.
<< <i>Thanks for the advice guys.
I always try to live by the saying "kill them with kindness" until it's time TO NOT BE NICE! Lol (Guess which 80's movie that's from).
So I kept my cool but it was almost getting awkward after I said I'd give him 1.50. He said something to the effect of, "I try and help you out and now you want more taken off." I kind of felt that was uncalled for and at any point he could have just said no thank you. But in the end I thanked him (multiple times) and told him I apreciate the fact that he gave me the card for 2.00 and we shook hands.
I agree with you all, As far as I'm concerned Unless it's a set corporate price it's always a good idea to ask for a discount.
Thanks again guys! >>
the movie is Roadhouse??
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
how do you know what the dealer would actually take if you don't ask. your at a card show the sticker price is never the final price depending on the card and time of day. if it is that dealer will probably have those cards a long time. his prerogative.
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
<< <i>The biggest problem with haggling is that unfortunately, sometimes someone will take what they deem as a very poor offer personal. It is business, not personal, but that is they way some people take it. And, since we are talking about a group that has a bad reputation as seriously lacking in personal skills, it is not surprising. Just look at the response a few posts above. >>
+2.50
Very true.
House...road house
Baseballfan was correct.
It is a reasonable assumption otherwise that all prices, no matter how large or small, are negotiable.
Kiss me twice.....let's party.
<< <i>Only a desperate tightwad would haggle on a $2.50 card.
To the buyer/haggler..... it's called, time to get a higher paying job.
Sure, it doesn't hurt to ask politely for a deal, but I would suggest you save those offers up on more
more expensive cards, maybe cards priced north of $50 and higher.
As a seller, I can't stand haggling. I know how to grade and I've researched my prices.
I don't mark up my cards, to then mark them down in a negotiation with a tightwad.
If a buyer buys more than one card from me and they're friendly, I will offer them a discount 90% of time as a seller even
if they didn't ask for a deal. It's called the nice person discount.
If the buyer is surly, disrespectful, annoying, looking at cards and purposefully putting them back in disorder, those buyers
get no discount. You have to be tactful if you want to try to wheel and deal in this hobby, and after 40+ years of
collecting and 20+ years of selling, I have to say very few have this ability.
I find it curious how some buyers feel like they're doing a seller a favor by spending money at their table.
It's a two-way street. With no dealers, there's no buyers, and vice versa.
As a buyer, I have asked for a better deal many times, but this was usually on an item price way over the market for the
condition.
If someone asked me for a deal on a $2 card, they would just get a cold stare. >>
Based on my experience dealers setting up at shows aren't really serious about selling. They are only there because being on the other side of the table gives them the right to buy/trade items at a discount. I'm sure there are some exceptions but I've yet to come across them.
Bet no one had a problem with Marvin haggling with them.
<< <i>Only a desperate tightwad would haggle on a $2.50 card.
To the buyer/haggler..... it's called, time to get a higher paying job.
Sure, it doesn't hurt to ask politely for a deal, but I would suggest you save those offers up on more
more expensive cards, maybe cards priced north of $50 and higher.
As a seller, I can't stand haggling. I know how to grade and I've researched my prices.
I don't mark up my cards, to then mark them down in a negotiation with a tightwad.
If a buyer buys more than one card from me and they're friendly, I will offer them a discount 90% of time as a seller even
if they didn't ask for a deal. It's called the nice person discount.
If the buyer is surly, disrespectful, annoying, looking at cards and purposefully putting them back in disorder, those buyers
get no discount. You have to be tactful if you want to try to wheel and deal in this hobby, and after 40+ years of
collecting and 20+ years of selling, I have to say very few have this ability.
I find it curious how some buyers feel like they're doing a seller a favor by spending money at their table.
It's a two-way street. With no dealers, there's no buyers, and vice versa.
As a buyer, I have asked for a better deal many times, but this was usually on an item price way over the market for the
condition.
If someone asked me for a deal on a $2 card, they would just get a cold stare. >>
Best post of the thread and 100% spot on.^^
This reminds me of a fellow coin dealer who also did stamps who was set up next to us at a coin show.
He had a box of cheap 50 cent stamps at his table (mistake #1). So this guy sits down, spreads out catalogs and lists all over the top of the adjoining showcase and whips out a magnifying glass, spending over half an hour going through each thing in the box- and in the end he finds... one stamp.
He then hands it to the dealer and asks..."would you take 20 cents for this?"
The dealer looked at it, tore it in half and said "Sure, now I will"...
The point? Other people's time, investment and overhead all have value.
We like to think that we price things fairly, especially cheap stuff (because there's no margin in it to begin with...thus you have to sell volume to make any money). So, in general if it's under $10 in value it's usually priced at our net. As others have stated, if someone's buying quantity then if we can save them a little we will-but we aren't going to waste a lot of time playing 'let's make a deal' with low end stuff... especially if it's someone with the mindset of "whatever it's priced, they can always go less" who feels all sellers owe them something and acts like he's negotiating a Microsoft buyout.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012