As a rule 85% is a reasonable offer range, but do not be offended if it is reasonably declined. I used to put new toys out in the window with a "New Toy Rule" that they were net priced for the first week or two. Sold a lot of them that way because people like fresh material.
That said, it depends on the coin. I can remember offering circ $20's at $50 or less over melt and having people counter-offer at less than melt as a starting position. Those people would never, ever get a nickel off on anything!
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
National Dealer had an iconic Pogue coin for sale. His price was fair.but, I countered at 8% off asking price. If I really really wanted it for a set I would have just written the check. However, it was a coin I could live to fight another day without but the 8% discount would be tipped the scales for me.
My offer was refused and I understood why and the dealer understood my reasoning as well. We both left the negotiation with a good taste in our mouths and it was properly communicated.
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
"""So, go into it with your eyes wide open....while no REASONABLE person should be offended, you may get blocked (and it may even be a forum member) if they don't like the offer."""
Hell, they might block you if they do like the offer.
And never, ever tell a dealer new to you: "You should give me a good price on this because I am going to do a lot of business with you in the future!"
This automatically reveals you to be a wanker!
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@UtahCoin said:
Offers 10%-20% off don't offend me. It's the idiots offering $50 for a $500 coin that offend me.
Why? Many dealers do it all the time and make their living doing so. An offer is an offer. it's just business and not a personal insult. Sure, the one making the offer may very well be an idiot or (fill in the blank), but Just decline it and move on.
About time some ol' grumpy collector spoke up. Kinda how when some collector comes on here and the dealers telling them how to offer and how to act to their satisfaction. When they seem to not use any common sense or decency when it is the other way. Not pointed at UtahCoin.
Please... Save The Stories, Just Answer My Questions, And Tell Me How Much!!!!!
@tommy44 said:
Had an offer 20% below the "Buy it Now" price on a coin on my want list accepted by a major dealer/seller on eBay.
I've accepted offers as much as 30/35% below my "Buy it Now" price on non-coin items.
My last 2 Buy It Now prices I offered that were accepted were 20% and 35% below asking price. I almost didn't even bother to make an offer on the 35% one, but I did anyway. I said "The worst that can happen is that they don't accept it".
I personally don't include Buy It Now as an option on eBay unless I'm willing to take a lower offer. If I see someone with the Buy It Now option, it's fair to assume that the listed price isn't actually the price they'd take. The only reason I wouldn't make an offer in those circumstances is if I think they priced it too low to begin with and I don't want to wait before someone else snatches it up.
Dealers low ball collectors all the time..... sad to see dealers become offended by low offers .....everything is negotiable .. no need to be shy to ask for a discount
National Dealer had an iconic Pogue coin for sale. His price was fair.but, I countered at 8% off asking price. If I really really wanted it for a set I would have just written the check. However, it was a coin I could live to fight another day without but the 8% discount would be tipped the scales for me.
My offer was refused and I understood why and the dealer understood my reasoning as well. We both left the negotiation with a good taste in our mouths and it was properly communicated.
mark
Just a bit of insight. The way Mark approached this possible purchase is exactly how and why many dealers make low offers on purchases. Like it or not there is a big difference when a person is buying a coin for their collection, or whether they are buying it for inventory. You can chose to take the low offer or walk away just like in the above scenerio.
Not condoning dealers ripping people off, but if you switch just a few words you will see what I mean.
National Dealer(Collector) had an iconic Pogue coin for sale. His price was fair.but, I countered at 8%(10-15%) off asking price. If I (Knew I had a customer for it) I would have just written the check. However, it was a coin I could live to fight another day(Didn't need or want in inventory)without but the 8%(10-15%) discount would be tipped the scales for me.
My offer was refused and I understood why and the dealer understood my reasoning as well. We both left the negotiation with a good taste in our mouths and it was properly communicated.
Another way to avoid looking like an A$$ is to avoid making generalizations like "all dealers" or "all collectors" do such and such.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
It should never be a problem to make a offer even if it's a bit low. Also a good ice breaker if ya ask me. Strike a conversation with a low offer and see what happens, you can be very polite at the same time. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it
The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
@YQQ said:
so, why is it OK for a dealer to low-ball a collector when he wants to buy from the collector.
Dealer would most certainly not offer 850 when buying a coin worth 1000 from a collector. would most likely offer 700 or less. Is it because he "has the the implied or assumed right" to low-ball because he is a dealer?
@Cougar1978 said:
I think a buyer asking for more than a 5 pct discount needs to get lost.
Sometimes I will get lowball offers for coins on eBay and many times auto rejected by computer and will see their little lame attempt to offer another $5. I wonder why these people even waste their time with their lame low ball offers. I often wonder if some of these dummies would haggle with a stripper over the price of a lap dance.
If the offer a decent one and allows me a decent profit I may accept, Others I simply reply "unless item BIN / MO it's already at my best price."
The low ballers remind me of people coming to my table with their sheet and then some lame spiel "well sheet is x and the 19xx so and so this and that." Well if I am not making money I don't care about their BS. I might ask them if they have one to sell me at that or suggest they go open a coin shop.
What are you like when you are buying for your inventory? If you want to buy the fictitious coin in the OP's post for your inventory and you know it is a $750 coin and another dealer is asking $1,000 and you want the coin, what would your wholesale net offer be? How would you approach this? What if it is a coin that you have a buyer for on a want list and you know your buyer would love it at $875. Just curious based on your passionate post. Would you make an offer or not even bother to try and help your customer get a coin they would like?
Comments
As a rule 85% is a reasonable offer range, but do not be offended if it is reasonably declined. I used to put new toys out in the window with a "New Toy Rule" that they were net priced for the first week or two. Sold a lot of them that way because people like fresh material.
That said, it depends on the coin. I can remember offering circ $20's at $50 or less over melt and having people counter-offer at less than melt as a starting position. Those people would never, ever get a nickel off on anything!
I just went through this.
National Dealer had an iconic Pogue coin for sale. His price was fair.but, I countered at 8% off asking price. If I really really wanted it for a set I would have just written the check. However, it was a coin I could live to fight another day without but the 8% discount would be tipped the scales for me.
My offer was refused and I understood why and the dealer understood my reasoning as well. We both left the negotiation with a good taste in our mouths and it was properly communicated.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
"""So, go into it with your eyes wide open....while no REASONABLE person should be offended, you may get blocked (and it may even be a forum member) if they don't like the offer."""
Hell, they might block you if they do like the offer.
And never, ever tell a dealer new to you: "You should give me a good price on this because I am going to do a lot of business with you in the future!"
This automatically reveals you to be a wanker!
About time some ol' grumpy collector spoke up. Kinda how when some collector comes on here and the dealers telling them how to offer and how to act to their satisfaction. When they seem to not use any common sense or decency when it is the other way. Not pointed at UtahCoin.
My last 2 Buy It Now prices I offered that were accepted were 20% and 35% below asking price. I almost didn't even bother to make an offer on the 35% one, but I did anyway. I said "The worst that can happen is that they don't accept it".
I personally don't include Buy It Now as an option on eBay unless I'm willing to take a lower offer. If I see someone with the Buy It Now option, it's fair to assume that the listed price isn't actually the price they'd take. The only reason I wouldn't make an offer in those circumstances is if I think they priced it too low to begin with and I don't want to wait before someone else snatches it up.
IG: DeCourcyCoinsEbay: neilrobertson
"Numismatic categorizations, if left unconstrained, will increase spontaneously over time." -me
Dealers low ball collectors all the time..... sad to see dealers become offended by low offers .....everything is negotiable .. no need to be shy to ask for a discount
Just a bit of insight. The way Mark approached this possible purchase is exactly how and why many dealers make low offers on purchases. Like it or not there is a big difference when a person is buying a coin for their collection, or whether they are buying it for inventory. You can chose to take the low offer or walk away just like in the above scenerio.
Not condoning dealers ripping people off, but if you switch just a few words you will see what I mean.
National Dealer(Collector) had an iconic Pogue coin for sale. His price was fair.but, I countered at 8%(10-15%) off asking price. If I (Knew I had a customer for it) I would have just written the check. However, it was a coin I could live to fight another day(Didn't need or want in inventory)without but the 8%(10-15%) discount would be tipped the scales for me.
My Ebay Store
Another way to avoid looking like an A$$ is to avoid making generalizations like "all dealers" or "all collectors" do such and such.
It should never be a problem to make a offer even if it's a bit low. Also a good ice breaker if ya ask me. Strike a conversation with a low offer and see what happens, you can be very polite at the same time. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it
Great post!
What are you like when you are buying for your inventory? If you want to buy the fictitious coin in the OP's post for your inventory and you know it is a $750 coin and another dealer is asking $1,000 and you want the coin, what would your wholesale net offer be? How would you approach this? What if it is a coin that you have a buyer for on a want list and you know your buyer would love it at $875. Just curious based on your passionate post. Would you make an offer or not even bother to try and help your customer get a coin they would like?