"What's the lowest you will accept for this item?"

red_boots2

RFW said:

red_boots2 said:

I just block them

You block potential customers?
They're a pain in the bum but they can still end up paying your asking price. 
Back when I did real auctions you'd get people asking before the sale what you'd accept for items. More often than not they were no reserve auctions sold to the highest bidder so there was no price other than what the hammer fell for. The ones asking varied from those who wanted a new TV for a fiver to those who would pay over the odds because it was something they really wanted. You never know who's asking so treat everyone as if they are good potential customers, you'll either not hear from them again or they'll be a happy customer.

Yes, couple of reasons as to why:

1. I only sell at fixed price and always ensure I have the offers enabled. I offer free P&P and set my price at what I would like ideally, but normally will make people an offer at between 15-25% off.

2. Whenever someone has messaged saying "what's the lowest you can do" I used to make an offer with the lowest I could do. They never fail to then come back with a low ball offer.

The other day someone offered me £47 for an item worth £125. Messaged saying "It's the best I can do" so I declined and then had messages complaining.

Is it petty I just block them, probably. But I have found it just saves so much hassle; I have never had a positive experience when dealing with any "lowest offer" buyers.

soolin

PocketWatchMan said:

RFW said:

red_boots2 said:

I just block them

You block potential customers?
They're a pain in the bum but they can still end up paying your asking price. 
......

Actually I don't believe this is true at all. having been on ebay on off since the 1990's, having a first contact with a potential buyer who immediately starts with "what's your lowest price" or alternatively, makes a pathetic low offer, I have never ever had anyone in these situations who will come close to paying anything near the asking price. If that is their best approach then they are absolutely welcome to try it on elsewhere.

I get quite a few who offer low especially on Vinted, and then go on to buy almost at listed price. I have quite a good turnover and it probably happens several times a month.

red_boots2

soolin said:

PocketWatchMan said:

RFW said:

red_boots2 said:

I just block them

You block potential customers?
They're a pain in the bum but they can still end up paying your asking price. 
......

Actually I don't believe this is true at all. having been on ebay on off since the 1990's, having a first contact with a potential buyer who immediately starts with "what's your lowest price" or alternatively, makes a pathetic low offer, I have never ever had anyone in these situations who will come close to paying anything near the asking price. If that is their best approach then they are absolutely welcome to try it on elsewhere.

I get quite a few who offer low especially on Vinted, and then go on to buy almost at listed price. I have quite a good turnover and it probably happens several times a month.

I had a good one last week thinking about it! They must have hit the wrong button as I offered £25 and they countered at £30. I immediately accepted  

prowla

It's from the TV antiques and suchlike shows...

"What's your best price on this?", followed by "Can you do £10 less?"

Effectively it's asking the seller to do your bartering for you and then treating that as an opportunity to offer less.

Now, a lot of items asking prices are "optimistic", so it is always worth making an offer.

When buying, I tend to make offers on items based on what I think they're worth and what I'm prepared to pay, but for that reason mostly steer clear of items marked "no offers".

If I were to be selling something and got a "what's your best price?" question, I'd either not reply or respond with the original price.

red_boots2

prowla said:

It's from the TV antiques and suchlike shows...

"What's your best price on this?", followed by "Can you do £10 less?"

Effectively it's asking the seller to do your bartering for you and then treating that as an opportunity to offer less.

Now, a lot of items asking prices are "optimistic", so it is always worth making an offer.

When buying, I tend to make offers on items based on what I think they're worth and what I'm prepared to pay, but for that reason mostly steer clear of items marked "no offers".

If I were to be selling something and got a "what's your best price?" question, I'd either not reply or respond with the original price.

Couldn't agree more.

soolin

prowla said:

It's from the TV antiques and suchlike shows...

"What's your best price on this?", followed by "Can you do £10 less?"

Effectively it's asking the seller to do your bartering for you and then treating that as an opportunity to offer less.

Now, a lot of items asking prices are "optimistic", so it is always worth making an offer.

When buying, I tend to make offers on items based on what I think they're worth and what I'm prepared to pay, but for that reason mostly steer clear of items marked "no offers".

If I were to be selling something and got a "what's your best price?" question, I'd either not reply or respond with the original price.

The trade has been doing that for decades, go to many antique centres or fairs and say you're a dealer and there's an automatic discount before you even start bargaining. Some newer dealers don't like the old ways and it is now not uncommon to see price labels with a small NT in corner- which means 'no trade'.

The TV shows have spoilt it for many though as they are just daft- will you take £5 for this bundle of items marked up at £100 - I would prefer it if they stuck to normal trade reductions which tend to be a standard 10% at first asking, with wiggle room for negotiation.

Ultimately though it is all a personal choice , I have countless items still to sell even if I ignore my business stock from stuff I inherited from family members who were hoarders , through to everything my children stored before they left home and now don't want. The idea for me is to declutter, there's no element of profit in it- I just want my house back and my storage outbuildings so a few pounds for something and a high turnover of sales suits me. I don't take stupid offers though if it means I'm left with minimal money and have to spend out time and effort wrapping or using expensive boxes  - in those cases if something doesn't sell it goes to the charity shop.I do just want it gone though.

RedImp_2

ButterCheese said:

knightstyle said:

I just tried to buy an expensive item with 'best offer' I put 3 bids, all refused immediately and the last one was just 6% less than the BIN.  So as I can't bid any more I asked what the best price is.
Why put best offer if you are not even cinsidering offers?

Yes I've had that too.  Quite a few items were £180 or best offer, so I offered low and was refused.  Then after a couple of days I offered £180 and that was refused as well.  I don't use Ebay now if I can help it; often I can buy new on Temu for cheaper than used on Ebay

Surely if an item is £180 and you are happy to pay £180 then it’s just BIN and it’s yours. Or am I missing something?

rollingmoon

RFW said:

red_boots2 said:

I just block them

You block potential customers?

Yes, absolutely. My experience has been that nothing useful ever came from indulging potless losers whose opening gambit was 'bottom price m8' or 'wats the leest ull take' etc. so now I just don't bother.

rollingmoon

Momogeew said:

It all means we'll take our business elsewhere.

Off you pop then. Because all you're doing is wasting my time, and if I wait just a few days or weeks longer, someone else will come along and make a more sensible offer or - get this - just pay the asking price!

RFW

prowla said:

It's from the TV antiques and suchlike shows...

"What's your best price on this?", followed by "Can you do £10 less?"

Effectively it's asking the seller to do your bartering for you and then treating that as an opportunity to offer less.

Now, a lot of items asking prices are "optimistic", so it is always worth making an offer.

When buying, I tend to make offers on items based on what I think they're worth and what I'm prepared to pay, but for that reason mostly steer clear of items marked "no offers".

If I were to be selling something and got a "what's your best price?" question, I'd either not reply or respond with the original price.

I agree about the TV shows. "How much is that?", "£250", "Will you take £25?", "No, but I'll do it for a tenner". Then they go on to sell it at £11 at auction and dance around that they've earned a pound. In reality once they take the auction fees off they've lost a fiver. 

With a fixed price item with no offer option, Ebay is the only place where you'll get that question. (Vinted too, apparently, but I've never used that). It's something built in with selling on Ebay. There are a tiny percentage of sellers who do do the same as the TV sellers and accept low ball offers, so the buyers are chancing their arm but they do get a bargain occasionally.