What's the lowest price you'll take? Screw you!

by pdrs
39 replies
Something I've noticed as of late, whether selling my own sites or even just my couch on kijiji.

No one wants to go through the dance of the deal!

Say I put a site/couch/product up for $120 - i get loads of emails, "what is the lowest you'll take?" - screw you! Make me an offer and we'll figure something out, I'm not just going to drop to my knees and knock $50 off my price like it seems so many people expect.

Obviously I've priced a little bit of "leverage" into my initial asking price, that's normal in my opinion, so the next time you see something you might want, at least have the balls to make an offer, if you can't do that you're probably just wasting everyone's time!

rant over
#lowest #price #screw
  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    I'm not sure why people aren't snatching things up from you. You seem like such a nice guy.
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    • Profile picture of the author craig crawford
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      I'm not sure why people aren't snatching things up from you. You seem like such a nice guy.
      LOL!

      @ pdrs, It's all part of business! People are out to snatch up a deal! And I can't fault them! Recession is a mofo!
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      • Profile picture of the author pdrs
        Originally Posted by craig crawford View Post

        LOL!

        @ pdrs, It's all part of business! People are out to snatch up a deal! And I can't fault them! Recession is a mofo!
        I agree! Snatching up a deal is what it's all about - but you gotta "deal"! Back and forth ya know!
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        • Profile picture of the author craig crawford
          For sure, you create something of value... you want to earn some good coin from it! totally understandable also!

          Its a mad mad world... ha ha
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          • Profile picture of the author pdrs
            Originally Posted by craig crawford View Post

            For sure, you create something of value... you want to earn some good coin from it! totally understandable also!

            Its a mad mad world... ha ha
            Well I guess maybe I'm more frustrated about the fact that people don't want to do the back and forth.

            I ask $120 for something, maybe I'm willing to take $90.

            And maybe I'm the crazy one here, but I'm not just gonna drop to $90 cause you sent me an email asking what is the lowest I'll take. I'll usually respond with 'Make me an offer' and I'll never hear from the person again.

            My point, and maybe it wasn't that clear from the first post, is if you are really interested in something, you should be willing to at least make an offer when you are enquiring about something - don't you agree?

            Otherwise you are really wasting a lot of time. I think anyways

            EDIT: And I do know that there are loads of people that just send tons of emails like that trolling for deals. This is just a rant is all
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            • Profile picture of the author craig crawford
              What are you actually selling? lol

              And yeah, I guess! It all depends on what is being sold also! To be fair to your customers, it wouldn't be too cool straying away from the first set price when others have paid already,lol.

              I know what you are saying though.
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              • Profile picture of the author pdrs
                Originally Posted by craig crawford View Post

                What are you actually selling? lol
                Nothing in particular, well I do have a few sites for sale in my SIG haha, but seriously this wasn't really geared towards that.

                It's just something I've noticed over the past year or so selling different things (a car, a couch, a couple of bikes etc...) on Kijiji (Canada's equivilent to craigslist), and other stuff. And I guess since I've been selling these sites over the past few days I've had a few of the same type of inquiries.

                "What's the lowest you'll take?" - nothing else. They're a time waster for everyone involved, especially if you're one of the people who does this compulsively and are just fishing.

                I love the haggling process, low ball me if you want I don't care, but then we can at least try and find a middle ground.
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            • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
              Originally Posted by pdrs View Post

              Well I guess maybe I'm more frustrated about the fact that people don't want to do the back and forth.

              I ask $120 for something, maybe I'm willing to take $90.

              And maybe I'm the crazy one here, but I'm not just gonna drop to $90 cause you sent me an email asking what is the lowest I'll take. I'll usually respond with 'Make me an offer' and I'll never hear from the person again.

              My point, and maybe it wasn't that clear from the first post, is if you are really interested in something, you should be willing to at least make an offer when you are enquiring about something - don't you agree?
              I get what you are saying. I really do. I sell things through classified ads, and get calls (not e-mails) all the time from people looking for that impossible deal. I just know that 25% of the time, I'll have a real buyer on the line.

              And that's about right. This is for print ads, not online ads.
              My reply to your first post? Sorry, it was just too easy a target.
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              • Profile picture of the author pdrs
                Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                I get what you are saying. I really do. I sell things through classified ads, and get calls (not e-mails) all the time from people looking for that impossible deal. I just know that 25% of the time, I'll have a real buyer on the line.

                And that's about right. This is for print ads, not online ads.
                My reply to your first post? Sorry, it was just too easy a target.

                That's alright Claude, I can take it
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                • Profile picture of the author Kreator517
                  So you are expecting people NOT to feel you out for a discount?

                  By 2 cents, it IS retarded to ask for a discount on the first email. I mean, sniper etiquette usually dictates feigning slight interest BEFORE asking for a reduction.

                  What site are you selling on? PM me. I can recommend a few decent site flipping sites less prone to spammy bids.
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                  • Profile picture of the author pdrs
                    Originally Posted by Kreator517 View Post

                    So you are expecting people NOT to feel you out for a discount?
                    .
                    Absolutely NOT! I fully expect that, but I also think there is a bit of an art to it on both sides, not just "bow to me and give me your lowest price without any negotiations"

                    I think I was a bit clearer in my other responses above.
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                    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
                      I think some people are perhaps missing that point that there's a huge difference between asking of a "lowest figure" and entering a bid.

                      The latter is business negotiation and the former is plain disregard of the stated asking price suggesting that the figure is thrown out there as a red herring.

                      Daniel
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                      • Profile picture of the author pdrs
                        Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

                        I think some people are perhaps missing that point that there's a huge difference between asking of a "lowest figure" and entering a bid.

                        The latter is business negotiation and the former is plain disregard of the stated asking price suggesting that the figure is thrown out there as a red herring.

                        Daniel
                        Exactly, enter a bid, shows your serious, and opens a dialogue between us, then we can "match wits" or whatever Not that I'm particularly good at it but it's the whole process of the thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author pdrs
    haha, but that's the point Claude, I never usually get to deal with someone anyways when the negotiations start like that
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  • Profile picture of the author pennyroll
    I think you're looking at this with the wrong perspective. Everyone has always wanted to know the least amount they could have the product for. They are essentially saying "how much is it? And that means you have a buyer who is interested. Instead of answering the question by "dropping to your knees" you have several options to proceed.

    The next step is to get them to answer a question with a yes. "So your interested in the product and you'd take it if the price were right?"

    You have to control the conversation as the salesman in a sales situation. Following their answer you could proceed in many ways, perhaps work to identify other reasons they may have that would prevent them from buying. Other than that, you could explain why it's better to buy from you as opposed to someone else. I've paid more in the past for a product simply because I trusted the seller with the higher price more than the seller with a lower price.

    I think it might be in your best interest to study up on the art of selling.

    Look up:

    "How to master the art of sales" Tom Hopkins

    "How to Sell Anything to Anybody" Joe Girard

    And of course there are many others book on the topic.

    One more thing, you should actually be excited by having qualified leads asking about your products and prices.

    Good Luck
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    • Profile picture of the author pdrs
      Originally Posted by pennyroll View Post


      The next step is to get them to answer a question with a yes. "So your interested in the product and you'd take it if the price were right?"
      This might just be some of the best advice I've received on the WF.

      Much better than asking for an offer as I have been doing for so long.
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        Originally Posted by pennyroll View Post

        The next step is to get them to answer a question with a yes. "So your interested in the product and you'd take it if the price were right?"
        I agree with this quote too, given that some people will barter just for the sake of feeling pride in having manipulated someone.
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        • Profile picture of the author pdrs
          Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

          I agree with this quote too, given that some people will barter just for the sake of feeling pride in having manipulated someone.
          I love the bartering process! For me it's one of the best parts of buying and selling stuff through online classifieds etc... A little "real life pawn stars" action

          Unfortunately it seems like this is less and less common, whereas I used to be able to go to my local music store and barter with the actual owner of the store on a guitar I liked, now I have to go to a nation wide chain store that has run all the other small music stores out of town, that refuses to move an inch on anything because they know they are the only game in town.

          As craig said above, it's the economy and everyone is just out to get the best deal they can, no arguements there, I just was frustrated at how they go about it sometimes!
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    • Profile picture of the author Susan A
      people do that a lot because they think they are the only buyer in the world. high priced ticket item surely get that a lot. having your list reply your email with a concern that the price is too steep is somehow a let down. of course the affiliate commission is quite high but it doesn't mean people can trample it as they wish.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ephrils
    The art of haggling has certainly lost students over the years. I think that has to do with how we are initially brought up learning about business or our first exposure to it, and it's often not as an adult, but as a kid with baseball cards or toys. I love to haggle, and wheel and deal, it's a lot of fun and a skill that's good to keep sharp.

    All you have to do is ask right? What's the worst they can do? Say no?
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  • Profile picture of the author Tradeout
    what is up with asking the question 'what is the lowest price you will accept?'

    In asking this question, the potential customer has entered into negotiations. They are hoping that you fold and return a lower price, which then gives them leverage to reduce you further. If you have complete faith in your product, the easy answer is 'I will not drop below my set price'.
    Negotiating can continue from there, but the customer is given a clear message that you have confidence in your products market worth.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Wells
    Just respond with "what's the most you will pay?"

    Honestly, I know that people put padding on items they are selling usually, and asking what their bottom line is, is not out of line.

    Your looking for a deal........ to make some cash.
    Their looking for a deal........ to spend the least amount of cash as possible.

    Your both using a bargaining tactic. Theirs just cripples yours, because they are straight to the point, not wanting to waste anytime at all. If your bottom line is over what they are willing to spend (which they are not revealing, just as your not revealing your bottom line) they move on....

    It's simple...

    They trumpted your tactic....
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      You love to barter - but not everyone does.

      The potential buyer is afraid of paying more than he has to so he doesn't want to be the first to state a number - the seller is afraid of stating a number less than the buyer might be willing to pay so he doesn't want to give a number. Ends in stalemate rather than negotiation.

      If someone asks for your lowest price give him a number that is a "padded lowest price" and see what happens. That's how you barter.
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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    Yep, this is part of sales. Something that is useful to learn how to deal with.

    Ask them what they can afford, then tell them that you'll figure out what features/benefits to remove.

    OR ask them in an almost neutral, but slightly condescending way, "is price the only thing you're concerned about?"

    They will usually say "no, but its important".

    Then you can say something like, "if you needed brain surgery, would you try to find the cheapest doctor?"

    They'll say something like, "well this is not brain surgery".

    Then you agree and say, "you're right... what if it was a broken bone, would you still want to find the cheapest doctor to fix it"?

    If they still say, "thats not the same",

    Then keep going backwards, "what if your dog had a broken bone.. would you try to find the cheapest vet?"

    At some point they will do 1 of 2 things. They'll either give up, or get angry and shout "its just a couch!" (and they will feel cheap when they say it)

    Then you apologize as calmy as possible.

    Say something like "I'm sorry, this was my fault. I had foolishly assumed that the couch I listed, and the price I gave you, was something you were actually interested in".

    Sometimes if you act like a stupid person, but say the right things, rather than acting like a salesman, it'll make them feel guilty. My brother is a master at acting like this.

    They'll usually say something like "I AM interested in the couch!". By this time they will also feel a false sense of control, so you shoot back, "ok, I see now! well then.. what price seems fair to you?"

    And there you go, conversation turned around. If you can make the target, feel like the aggressor, its a great mindf**k to play with their heads.

    If they don't answer, then tell them you don't like to play games, and will find somebody else to buy the couch.

    Whatever you do, try to make them feel like they're in control of the situation. Feed their ego as much as possible. There are some very subtle ways you can do this in sales, where the person is tricked into thinking they control the situation. And that is the easiest way to close a sale.
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  • Profile picture of the author Entrecon
    If someone were to ask me and not make a valid lower offer, I might only take a couple dollars off, or just ell them the price posted was the lowest acceptable offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlphaWarrior
    I am one of those who doesn't like to "deal". Tell me what price you want. If I am willing to pay, I will, otherwise, I just move on to the next whatever.

    The way I work, the answer is easy. Question: "What is the lowest that you will take?" Answer: "$120.00."
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
    My Uncle was really good at turning a $100 Ad into a $150 sale to... resellers. That was his target market... resellers. He taught me to never advertise anything for less than $100 and when resellers called and asked "What is the lowest you can go?" to reply that the only way to get a lower price was to buy in bulk or bundle... and here is the clincher he always used > "As long as supplies last."

    Long story short he always turned $100 ads into $150 sales.

    Jeffery 100% :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Tinkerbell
    Originally Posted by pdrs View Post

    Say I put a site/couch/product up for $120 - i get loads of emails, "what is the lowest you'll take?"
    Why not reply with $120?

    Since this is the price you listed, it seems natural/normal to assume it is the "lowest you'll take."

    So reply and tell them $120 is the lowest -- but you'll happily take MORE if they can convince you it'd be worth it. Then ask them how much more they had in mind. Haha.
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  • Profile picture of the author ScottWatson
    The art or negotiation is a dying skill... people are getting too used to getting things handed on a plate.
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  • Profile picture of the author Virtualghost
    I like it when I am giving away something for free on classified site Kijiji and I hear every sob story in the book.
    One was a sob story for a lawn swing best part was they live 5 minutes from me and low and behold guess what was on their lawn with a for sale sign on it yup lawn swing their poor mother needed.
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  • Profile picture of the author sal64
    I just ask them... what's the highest price you are prepared to pay?

    Then leave the onus on them. Tell them that at this stage, the lowest price is the listed price... until you get a reasonable and firm offer.

    Sal
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  • Profile picture of the author Devin X
    Banned
    LOL well said, meng!
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  • Profile picture of the author Joan Altz
    Asking for the lowest you will take IS dealing imo. My grandfather was a real estate investor back in the 50s thru the mid 70s and if he was interested in a piece of property, he would say to the owner: "What's the lowest you'll take? I can write you a check for the full amount right now."

    He was a predator on desperate sellers and it worked great for him.

    But you could reverse it by replying something like "I was actually about to raise the asking price, but if you make an offer close to what it is now, I may sell it to you before I do that." Then you may get offers of $100 or $110, which would be above your $90.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ron Smith
      I was in the car business for years and heard that a lot. My partner was an old country boy and a skilled negotiator. When someone asked him "what's the least you'll take?" or "what's your bottom dollar?" , his answer was always the same. What's the most you'll pay?
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  • Profile picture of the author pdrs
    "Whats the most you'll pay" I like it

    Thanks for all the great responses everyone, this started as a bit of a rant thread but I think there is some real good information/ideas in here! Definitely made me rethink things a bit.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rbtmarshall
    ... the best price for me is more than what I'm asking. Do you want it for that price, or what I have it listed for?
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Tinkerbell View Post

      Why not reply with $120?

      Since this is the price you listed, it seems natural/normal to assume it is the "lowest you'll take."

      So reply and tell them $120 is the lowest -- but you'll happily take MORE if they can convince you it'd be worth it. Then ask them how much more they had in mind. Haha.
      I get the question often when I run retail ads. "What's your best deal?" or "Will you take money off that price?"

      Really, I respond "This is a sale price. I'm selling these briskly at this price. The price is low enough that we have trouble keeping them in stock. Do you want me to check to see if we still have one?"

      I want them to know that my problem isn't selling what's advertised. My problem is getting what's advertised. That makes what I have In Demand...and Scarce...a potent combination.


      Originally Posted by Rbtmarshall View Post

      ... the best price for me is more than what I'm asking. Do you want it for that price, or what I have it listed for?
      I've actually said that.

      Something similar. I get people asking me "If I find this for less money somewhere else, will you pay me the difference?"

      My answer is "I know you just want to be fair. If you find it for more somewhere else, will you pay me the difference?"

      Of course, it's a smart ass answer. But it doesn't kill sales. Usually they laugh.
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonBennet
    I personally feel that there is nothing wrong in asking but it will be better if they state the price that they are willing to pay in the first place. This avoid wasting of time and the negotiation can continue.
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  • Profile picture of the author ejullya
    This is great thread. Some people are such cheapskates. I run a small seasonal retail business. Once a guy came to the cash register with an item in his hand and said to me. "This is a really good price, can you do better?" I am not kidding you.
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