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#1
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Haggling, a pet peeve.
I've had this happen to me several times this month, and it's always ground my gears a little bit.
The situation is I want to purchase something from someone. It might be a spare part, it might be something they made, etc. It's not something that has an MSRP or a barcode on it. And sometimes, there's no "usual selling price on ebay" for the item. Me: How much is it?/How much will it take for you to part with it?/What's the price? Seller: Give me an offer. NO! I did not ask you "hi, may I argue back and forth with you on the price a bit? I'm really not set on how much I want to pay, so could you set the imaginary price about 20% more than it's worth so I can waste 15 minutes?" It's not just in person, I've had it happen online and yes, on this site. Do you think it would be helpful to have some sort of tag or wording in the FS section which specifies what is "set price" and what is "I want to haggle"? Honestly, I know when someone gives me a price whether I can afford it or not. I'd rather not waste my time and their's just letting them know I can't pay what they really want for it. And I hate lowballing people, but I'm consistently broke so it's a bit of a necessity at times. Does anyone else feel this way?
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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes! 1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k 1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered 1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold] |
#2
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I like haggling. There is a good way to haggle and a bad way. One can be rude or one can be polite. The bad way a person belittles the product in an effort to reduce the price. The good way the buyer recognizes the value of the product and says they are willing to pay so much.
Back to the first part of your post....I always figure the seller has an obligation to name the first price. If they refuse I will make an offer on the low end of what I feel its value is....but a lotta times I simply pass on objects for sale with no named price. Also it depends on the need and the rarity of the part.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#3
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I have had a few cases like that. My opening offer is always one dollar. Then I get a starting price from them like I asked for in the first place and the games begin. It's part of my game to get them to realize if they want to dick me around, I can do the same. Sometimes I'll just tell them never mind and walk away, then they give me a price and the games begin.
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Sent from an agnostic abacus 2014 C250 21,XXX my new DD ** 2013 GLK 350 18,000 Wife's new DD** - With out god, life is everything. - God is an ever receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller as time moves on..." Neil DeGrasse Tyson - You can pray for me, I'll think for you. - When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours. |
#4
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I never understood the aversion that Americans outside of NY have to haggling.
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#5
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I haggle with the jeweler, Mechanic, ask and get cash discounts etc... I'm a cheap skate.
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Happy Benzing Darryl, Hill 2005 SL55 AMG Kleemanized 1984 500 SEC 1967 W113 California Coupe [SIGPIC] https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/myphotos |
#6
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Quote:
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Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat I recondition w123/w126/w124/w140/r107/r129/ steering boxes! 1984 300D "Elsa" odo reset 6/2011 147k 1983 300TD "Mitzi" ~268k OM603 powered 1995 E300 "Adelheid" 262k [Sold] |
#7
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I don't like to haggle but it happens. I usually ask for a "rock-bottom, cash-talking price". Then follow up with a disappointed look and say "I was hoping you were going to say $x".
The car I just bought was advertised firm price and the guy offered a reduction when I said it cost $50 just to drive over to look at it. Later we haggled. I like the $1 intial offer. I'll use that one. It's easier on little stuff. I especially don't like it on real estate. I have another lot to sell and I just don't like it. |
#8
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When I say "make me an offer" that means I am pretty much prepared to accept ANY offer over $1....
Like walgamuth said, there is a good way to do it and a bad way. As a seller, I will always have an asking price. That figure may be double or more of what I would actually take for the piece depending on who's asking. In my 13+ years of antique/junk peddling, I say that Palestinians are the thoughest/best negotiators. They do it the "wrong way" though.. Typically very insulting.
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Eugene 10 E63 AMG 93 300te 4matic 07 BMW X3 14 Ford F-150 Fx2 |
#9
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I think the focal point you're missing is your own statement:
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Perhaps they are thinking, "hey, here is someone interested in this widget...since they want it, I'll let them make an offer since maybe they -- needing this item -- might have some idea what it is worth?" That's not really haggling, of course, that's just looking for someone to make an opening move. After all, at least generally speaking, every seller is looking to get the most they can for an item, and every buyer is looking to pay as little as possible. Either way, I don't see what the big deal is. Offer what you're willing to pay less some percentage, and if they accept, great. If they don't, then the haggling starts. |
#10
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I can make $8 an hour at Mcdonnalds or bagging groceries at Wal*Mart. So by haggling with you for an hour, the $10 item now cost $18. Even if I get it for $5, it is now $13. You give me a price and I take it or leave it.
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke 99 E300 Turbodiesel 91 Vette with 383 motor 05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI 06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow 04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler 11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow |
#11
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This is negotiation 101. A good negotiator ALWAYS at least tries to get the other party to throw out the first number. This is one of the most basic principles of haggling.
If it bothers you, I would suggest you tell him that he can give you a price or you will walk away. |
#12
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress. |
#13
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Haggling is part of the excitement of the game. If humans couldn't haggle, there'd be a lot less buying and selling going on. I rarely contact a Craigslist seller who doesn't list a price mostly because it tells me they don't understand the game.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#14
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You shoot me a number thru the email, I think about it, send you a response and all in all, it takes time. That is why I now ask for your best price and might shoot a counteroffer. That is it. Same with hiring. What is the lowest you will take, I either walk or I accept.
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke 99 E300 Turbodiesel 91 Vette with 383 motor 05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI 06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red 03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow 04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler 11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow |
#15
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Without an asking price, it better be an item from a party, where I can write my own ticket, based on my sense of value and fairness.
Without an asking price? I'd walk - because ANY price you throw out is too low. The seller either doesn't know what the item should bring, or, they're insecure about pricing it. Regardless - I see big problems when something has no asking price. |
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