Prices in Ads or on Craig’s List

When you list something for sale and state a price, do you hold that price or negotiate.
When I list something and don’t say firm on the price, I expect to have some negotiations. Yesterday I went to look at an implement that had a price stated, but nothing else. When I looked it over, I noticed a few items missing like the lift pins and index pin. I offer $20 less than he was asking and the Guy got mad. I said it would cost me more than that to go and get the items and he should have stated they were missing in his ad.
Well he walked away and I had to leave. It was a 40 mile drive one way and I am still not sure what I did wrong. If he didn’t want to negotiate, shouldn’t he have state this?

They must not want to sell it bad enough yet.

Everything I sell I get beat up on price and sell pretty cheap anymore just to get rid of it.

Maybe he should have listed it $20 higher and then given you a $20 dollar break on it because of the missing parts. Would have you bought it then? He may have already discounted his price for the parts.

He doesn't have to state whether the price is firm or negotiable. But you can ask him on the phone if he is firm on his price before you go look.

Very few ads state firm or negotiable in the ads.

Gary

Like you, I expect that a seller is willing to negotiate unless his ad states that the price is firm.

Though I rarely sell anything, when I do, I always determine my lowest selling price and advertise such price as firm. Even then, I sometimes have buyers try to negotiate but I never do.

Dean

I usually expect a price to be negotiable, but some people have different ideas on that. When there are parts missing that were not stated then I would expect a discount. Recently I have sold some items that people didn't try to negotiate on, it depends how bad they want the item!

Everything is negotiable. It probably is best to ask if they are firm on the price before driving long distances, but I hate kicking tires I haven't seen yet. Even in the big electronics stores the prices are negotiable. I always offer less, unless I know it's a good deal and don't want somebody else to get it.

I am exactly the other way If I had wanted $40.00 I would,n list for $ 60 and dicker around. I guess I am just too busy but have made a living in the farm implment & tractor bussiness for 38 years and most people that I deal with know that when I state a price that is it. right now I have some families that I am selling to their third generation. But again some people will just not buy unless than can get you to come down, what ever you ask.. Just a way of life for some. I used to tell my older uncle salesman thing have changed. Now the guys drives up with his trailer on noon lunch break to buy a mower. He dosen,t want to dicker he just wants your best price first.. Anyway to each his own..

I think I would have just payed the extra $20 and then I would have something to show for that 80 mile round trip.

When looking through the ads, be it just window shopping or actually trying to find something needed, the first thing I try to determine, is the price reasonable. If so, I'll go and look at it, most of what I have seen and bought has not been misrepresented, and within reason on price. If it needs a few things, like what you mention and I need the item, can use same, know what I am getting into, forget the negotiation and hem-haw bs, I just want to pay up and immediately get the item loaded and on my way, who wants to waste a bunch of time over trivial little bs, especially when you have other things to do. A $500 implement say, in reasonable working condition, not wore out, not poorly repaired or otherwise, forget it, cause you don't have the money, or pay up and leave, its that simple, I already know based on price and what I can see in the photo, I won't travel unless I see a photo(s) first, and make up my mind that I am 90% sure I'll take the item.

If its out of my price range, its not going to happen. Most things priced reasonably, sell quick around here, only more expensive items linger around. I won't convince myself that I can approach a seller about something I want, that is way overpriced, expecting him/her to negotiate down to what I expect to pay, its a waste of time, for the most part. There are circumstances, like anything where on occasion you should try or feel the seller out and see what happens, but for the most part, you are far better off dealing with someone who lives in reality on pricing an item.

I have waited a little longer and taken a chance, last year I found a Ford 101 2 bottom, worn shares, bent lever, coulters a bit loose, need bearings possibly, he was firm at $350, which was not bad, price a new one with coulters, tail wheel etc. I read all the ads daily, just like doing it, all my friends know I can find things, get some nice deals, because I am always on the prowl, keeps me in tune with prices, what sells, availability of all kinds of things. Well that ad for the plow kept renewing, one day it dropped to $250, and I quickly jumped on it. Ironically, the guy that was testing our soil, 40 miles north of the item, on his way out, mentioned the same exact item and that he was going to buy it, I beat him to it, not by much, I would have paid $350 for it, because I wanted a Ford 101 2 bottom regardless, only one I have seen listed ever, locally, I've been looking for years, contemplated shipping one in, from where they are more common. I looked the item over, could I have nitpicked it sure, why bother. I also bought a set of quick tach forks from the same seller, 2 months prior, his price was within reason, new was $200 more, these were slightly used. Would I have like to pay less, sure, but I needed the forks in a bad way, done.

I like to apply this philosophy to small, less costly items, things are different when looking at things that are expensive like a tractor or so on, the small stuff like implements, tools, shop equipment, if its reasonable, I will look and probably buy if I need it, if overpriced, he/she can sell to someone else, I'm not going to waste time haggling, its that simple.

I see good deals out there just by constantly looking. I see people trying to double their money too. There was a 922 Cat loader available for $3000, that was a great price, and had I the funds, I'd have gotten it, we really need a small loader for compost/manure and snow removal, perfect, small, cab, good model. Someone else saw it was a good deal, and grabbed it, then re listed it for $7500, no way I'm dealing with that person. I saw the same model in '08, $3500, forks and 8 extra wheels with good tires, excellent deal, I could not get to it fast enough, sold in 20 minutes.

I looked at an older JD 3 pt 5'-0" tiller, well they used a grade 8 where the shear bolt was, it snapped the end of the tine shaft off, he wanted $500, I looked it over, was apart, I could see that I could probably repair it, but with all the work, and the risk of it being problematic, plus the soils I would use it in, both chains were worn out too, is it worth haggling for junk, maybe he'd take $250, I still have to go through the thing and hope I'm ahead money wise and I get the time out of the thing, walked away, very nice fellow, friendly and talkative, just not for me.

You ask? "When you list something for sale and state a price, do you hold that price or negotiate."

I was a used tractor and implement and truck dealer for yearsssssssss and my answer is

IM ALWAYS WILLING TO NEGOTIATE

If I read an add and it DOES NOT say the price is firm, I suspect the Seller will negotiate but the only way to know IS TO MAKE HIM AN OFFER. The worse he can do is say no and if you dont ask you will never know now will you.

One of my rules were I NEVER PRICE ANOTHER MANS EQUIPMENT If he refuses to set a price but asks me what I will give, I just ask "what will you take" DO NOT PRICE HIS EQUIPMENT thats his job buttttttttttttt once he sets a price you can either take it or make a counter offer and then walk.

ANOTHER THING I WILL NOT DO AND REFUSE TO PLAY THAT GAME is if I set a price, but the buyer does NOT make an offer but instead asks WHATS THE LEAST YOU WILL TAKE and if I ask "Okay so whats the most you will give" but he still refuses an offer again asking the least I will take,

I TELL HIM OKAY I WILL QUOTE THE LEAST I WILL TAKE ONE TIME BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT THENNNNNNN SAYING NO I WONT GIVE THAT BUT NOW I WILL GIVE YOU X$ and then expect me to negotiate from there SORRY CHARLIE I DONT PLAY THAT GAME. If you wanna make an offer fine I will take or leave it buttttttttttt no way am Im gonna give you my bottom dollar after you refuse an offer and only then negotiate. If were gonna negotiate its off my asking price NOT my bottom dollar AND THEN I TELL THEM TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP N LEAVE N KISS MY GRITS......

I was NOT a good seller, I wouldnt put up with crap from every Billy Bob who came by, if he wanted it fine if not fine. I made my profit because I was a good BUYER who purchased allowing a reasonable profit at a fair price.

Soooooo look at the item, make an offer, buy it or be prepared to walk.

PS tell you one way to make a dude price his item who refuses......... JUST SHOOT HIM A LOW BALL OFFER N WATCH HIM START TALKIN LOL LOL all of a sudden he will know exactly what they are bringing and what its worth and what he will take

Nuff said, a grouchy old fuddy duddy who would NEVER make it in the retail business where you have to put up with customers crap,,,,John T

I am in the car business.
When the snowbirds are down I hear at least once a day" What's your bottom dollar"
I counter with, "What's your top dollar"
I also tell people that want to "Fender Trade" to come inside, let's sit down in the AC and have something to drink and talk about it!

You don't say what the total price was. If it was a large amount, then 20 dollars less is being real picky. Like,If 60 dollars, offering 40 -OK by me. If 500.00 and offering 480 would make me very mad too.

I was looking at an item a few weeks back that in the sellers add said OBO, and he said he would consider offers when we talked over the phone. I got there and looked it over and it was what I wanted with a few small things that needed fixing so I offered him a price accordingly. He got all pithed off and said his price was non negotiable. I asked him about the OBO and saying he would consider offers, this got him even more upset. Needless to say I walked away and didn't say anymore. About a week later he called me up asking if I was still interested for what I offered. Told him tuff luck but I found it someplace else. Saw his item posted again yesterday on CL for less than I offered him hahahaha.

I usually sell at such a low price that there are multiple people interested and invariably the first buyer takes it at the advertised price and goes away happy. I don't want to wait more than a day to sell my stuff. I haven't had a listing go beyond 6 hours yet because if it's priced right it will be gone in no time. Shouldn't expect to get rich on Craigs List.

You did nothing wrong. You never know until you ask. The trick is try not to berate the man nor his item, by your offer. When selling they will nit-pick a parts tractor to death trying to drive the price down. I will list a junk, for parts tractor or truck, and have them call me to see if it runs or can they drive it home. When buying I make offers if I think it's worth less and just have to wait on the reply, whether it be anger or just no or more back-and-forth. Paul

Hey Im one of those snowbirds, see you in December lol Avon Park and Sebring area.

I agree, that response is what I gave when asked that same question, and they still hardly ever gave me a number even then. I figure I have ALREADY set a price n Im sure as heck NOT gonna come down if they arent interested enough to make an offer. What they want is my lowest price AND THEN THEY WANNA OFFER FROM THERE

Again, Sorry Charlie, I dont play that game, I made my price now its your turn to $hit or get off the pot lol

Snowbird John T

It depends. Most of the stuff I sell on craig's list is stuff I have picked up right at auction and price it to sell pretty quick so most folks think they are get'n a good deal so they don't nitpick it apart. I do always leave a little room if some one just has to have 10% off to feel like they got a sweet deal, they drive off think'n they got a great deal and I still double my money. If some one low balls something I have for sell I just tell them I ain't that hungry and they don't want it bad enough. Most of the stuff I buy to sell I pay less than scrap price for so if it don't sell after a while I will pull any good parts off and crush the rest.

Dave

I have bought and sold thing on Graig's list. Every price is negotiable. I get a good laugh when I read on here how some will do this or do that IF the person tries to counter offer on what they sell. I will bet that EVERY SINGLE one of them would try to drive the price down IF they are buying.

I have been selling stuff for over forty years now. It is very rarely that the price is not haggled over. It is just the way it is. If you want no haggling then go to Wally world and be happy.

Maybe he priced it for what he thought it was worth even though it was missing the parts. Bet it cost you more to dive the 40 miles to look at it than what the $20 in parts would have cost you. I've sold enough stuff to know that even though it is correct in everyway, the buyer will 9 times out of 10 try to work you down because he thinks something is still wrong or missing. Or it has a scratch here or there. I always say "it is what it is for the price it is".

If an item is listed for say, $500 and I go look at it and want it I will usually just ask, "Is that your best price?"
That's not an insult and rarely makes them mad.
If the guy says yes then it's up to me to cough up the dough or move on. But very often a guy will say "No, I'd take $450 for it." At which point I can counter offer and start the haggling.

Hey, selling/buying used stuff is a crap shoot. I never take offense if someone makes an offer and I don't think a seller should be offended if I make them an offer. Even when I've had stuff listed as "firm", I've had people say "will you take $xx?". I just politely tell them "No".

If the person I'm dealing with is nice and friendly, I'll sometimes move in a direction (buying or selling,up or down) that I wouldn't go if the person is an ornery or slimey type person.

Also, I try not to drive long distances to look at stuff for the reason that I might be tempted to buy something just to justify the trip.

Just last week I had a guy drive over 3 hrs to look at a piece of machinery. Said he was real interested, was going to line up transportation, etc. Told him that he hadn't bought it yet so don't get carried away with how to haul it. He called yesterday and sounded disappointed when I told him it was sold.

If someone is coming a long way, I'll ask when they're coming. If they seem unsure or don't want to tell me, I tell that if I know they're on their way and it gets sold before they get here, I'd give them a courtesy call to save them the trip. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't but at least I try.

You CAN haggle at Wally World too. I was held up in the check out lines last time by a woman who had a list and a flyier from another store makeing them price match everything. Next check out over exact same thing was happening ! Wish my old lady was as prudent a shopper as these gals were.

People don't understand what it means to haggle anymore.

When a typical seller says "best offer" on a $1000 item, they're thinking $995. Big whoop.

The guy gets mad over 20 bucks? Life's too short.

A lot of haggling is in how you approach it. I'm pretty easy to talk to, and try to keep a smile on my face and use a little humor to keep things amiable. But I expect the same in return- if they guy considers it for a second or two, then just replies that he's firm on the price, that's one thing- but if he gets mad (especially over 20 bucks!), I'm heading for the car, most likely, with a "sorry to have taken your time" over my shoulder. Play nice, or I ain't playin'.

Much as we hate 'em, if you want to learn how to haggle, watch a used car guy in action. Never gets mad, tries to never make you mad- he knows the old rule about flies, honey and vinegar.

On most things if I call and set it up to go look I ask on the phone if that price is firm. If they say firm and most of the time say thank you but no thank you. Some will then ask me why and I say well if I look at it and find it has a problem you did not notice then I loose if you will not work with me on price

Okeechobee just a little south down the road.
Again, I am not going to dicker out on the lot in the heat. Come on inside if you are serious.
Big problem is most snowbirds are just killing time while the old lady is at Wally World.
But come on inside anyhow and let's shoot the chit, the coffee is free!

No 2 sellers follow the same criteria, nor do any 2 buyers. It's best to ask all the questions you can while on the phone. Even that is no sure thing that things will go the way you THINK they will once you arrive at the sellers place. BTDT, walked away from a bunch of 'em.

I almost always try to haggle if I am buying, but I try to be polite about it. I don't get mad if someone offers me less than what I want on an item, unless he totally insults me. Say I'm selling a nice tractor worth $4000, and he offers me $1000. I may not get "mad" over that, but I certainly wouldn't be very happy.

SF

One thing I wont do over the phone is to haggle over price. If someone calls about something I have for sale and asks if I will come down I just politely tell them I wont talk price over the phone but might when he gets here to look at it in person.

I saw this ad and thought it was a cute way to list something.

Tractor for sale....$2000
If you want to negotiate......price is $3000

Tim

JD,I guess I'am the odd one out,I do not haggle with anyone over pricing and I tell them so up front.I have done less then 1%buying or selling private sale.That is why in over 40 yrs.,all the trucks from one dealer and cars from three dealers and new farm equip.from 3 or 4 dealers and the same for used equip. cause they know their first price had better be right or I walk.Life is too short to spend all your time haggling over something.

what a disgusting subject. like stated you didnt state the price, $20 off $100 or $20 off $1000? i think it was petty on your part--your out the 40 mile drive. IF SOMEONE WANTS/NEEDS SOMETHING THEY BUY IT! this haggling is a waste of time take it or leave it. a guy drove 200 miles to look at my tractor...gave me the bottom dollar crap...it sold on ebay for 2,000 more than i wanted. time is important to me??

Your right there. Everyone has gotten used to Walmart. The reason to buy used is for the haggling.

I ran into a problem like these with someone on here. I won't name names but I was going to buy some things from him and he had some of them priced seperately and some were not. So I asked about some that were not priced seperately and he gave me a price and I made him and offer and he said he'd think about it. Then he sends me an email and tells me what he will take for the items. The items he did have a set price on he raised them and made changes to the other item I made an offer on. Then When I say something about him going up on the price he says "what are they on ebay? twice what i'm asking?" If I wanted to buy the thing off ebay I wouldn't be wasting my time with this idiot. Which I have not talked to since then and have no intention of buying anything from him. Ok rant over! So people just should sell thinks if they have no people skills.

I had a D-14 listed on craigslist, listed as mech perfect with all new tires, needs cosmetics. Guy and his 18 year old son came to look, dad asked questions and drove it around. I had it listed for $3500. Dad asked if that way my final price, before I could answer, the kid said, I'll take a chance on it and give you $1500. I told him he could buy the tires for that price, but they would have to stay with the tractor till he could come up with the $2000. He got really watered off and they both left.

Reading these posts, it's hilarious to think back on my 20 years in stainless fabricating. For most of those 20 years I always priced my products fairly based on time and materials. When I quoted a price I stuck with it win or lose and there was rarely any haggling to be done. In the past few years people asked if not demanded a lower price. My standard line was "If your boss asks you to work for less just because he doesn't want to pay as much" would you take it? Then I started getting the line, "well I can buy it from so and so cheaper". So my standard line became "great! do it then". Of course all this took place on my 800 number. Then one day I got this wild hair, "WHY DO I PUT UP WITH THIS CRAP?", My costs were increasing incredibly along with the taxes and the health toll. Then one day about 4 months ago a guy called and wanted an exhaust pipe for his JD. I quoted a fair price and he stated he could get the same thing $10 cheaper from a vendor in a magazine. I stated it probably wasn't stainless but he insisted it was, so I told him to buy it. Turns out it was not stainless, but that set my mind that there is no longer an appreciation for American made quality. So I say go ahead and save $10 and get a tin pipe for your $10,000 dollar tractor restoration. I finally just pulled the plug on the stainless tractor exhaust business. Maybe someday after I get my eyes back, I'll start doing a few custom jobs again. But in the meantime I'll just let everyone save money.

As has been said by the majority here, my "sold" price varies from buyer to buyer depending on their attitude. If they act like they're doing me a favor even being here to check out my junk, the price goes up. If I sense they're a jockey, the price goes up. If they seem like a good person and are gonna use the item, the price goes down.

I HATE the question "What's your bottom dollar?" If someone asks me that, I mentally raise my bottom dollar and say "You make me an offer and I'll tell you if we're done talking."

I responded to an ad from a guy looking for an 82 pull type IH combine a couple years back. I called him up and told him I had one that had been sitting outside a couple years. He said "It's shot, probably not worth looking at. How much you want?"

I said "You said it's shot. Why would you want it? I'll haul it to the scrapyard." and hung up. That guy called me about every three days for two weeks trying to get it out of me. I used it on a little wheat the next year. It still sits where it sat when I first called him.

I was in sears last week when i saw a nice looking amish couple trying to negociate a lower price on a tv.The amish guy made him an offer and the sales clerk said "I ain't no dam farmer"
and walked off.

Some people feel obligated to haggle no matter what the circumstances are.

Many years ago I had a 8N ford with a Wagner Loader setting on my place that was in excellent condition but I didn’t use it very much because I had several bigger tractors and a Farmall Cub That I mowed with.

Short story long: one Sunday afternoon 2 guys in a pickup pulled in my driveway and told me they worked with a guy I knew and he had told them that I might possibly sell the 8N as I didn’t use it much anymore. I told them I would take $700 CASH for it.

One guy then told me there was a ”really nice one” in the paper for $350. I told him well I guess if you can buy a better tractor for less money you would be smart to buy it.

He then tried to haggle price, I told him my price is firm I don’t really care if I sell it or not, if I really needed to sell it, you would see an ad in the paper next to the “really nice one” that is for sale, so they left and I thought that was the end of the story.

The next afternoon I got home from work and was setting at the table having a cup of coffee when those 2 guys pulled in the driveway pulling a trailer, I laughed and told the wife I guess the price is right after all.

YOu talk about people haggeling on price I think they do it for fun. I had a tractor listed a few times trying to sell it and evverybody was low balling the price. I had listed for $1300 with room for offers. It would leave for $1000. So I listed it on ebay to try. In the mean time a guy comes out to my house to look at it and liked it. He was stuck at $900 And I was at $1000 take it or leave it, he left mad. Whats really funny was this is the same guy that bought it off ebay for $1400!! He never said a word the whole time while loading it at the farm where I moved it!!! You could tell he was ------!!! I was wanting to say "Nice to see you again sucker"!

I'd try and get him back again call, and say you may be interested in a second one if he was willing to negotiate. LOL

This is a good dicussion. No wonder the USA is screwed up. It amazes me that people would get upset if someone ask for the bottom line or makes an offer. This year alone I probably saved 5000.00 or more on getting lower prices than the asking price and I haven't bought that much. I just looked at a tractor on the web and asked if his price was firm and he said pretty much so it wasn't worth going 3hrs to look at it. That was monday and today he just lower it 300.00 OBO. I will wait and make him an offer. Why on earth would you want to pay full price if you can get it cheaper? I can't imagine that!

I don't think he was a sucker at all. Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose.

I usually tell seller it is probably worth what he is asking--but not to me. He will then ask what it is worth to me? At that point I make my offer. If it is a low ball offer---he asked for it so nobody feels bad.

this IS a good topic. andy in il--thats the experience ive had, NOTHING BRINGS OUT THE COMPETITOR like an auction. and old tom an 8n for $700...cheap! YES, i think people get a charge out of haggling(i dont understand). i get that charge out of dating 3 women at once!! i have lost good stuff crying over a couple hundred bucks. i wont do it anymore.
AGAIN,IF (they/me) WANTS/NEEDS IT--THEY BUY IT.

A lot depends on HOW you ask,people that go look at a 40 year old piece of equipment and start pointing out why it doesn't look like it did on the showroom floor do get a little tiresome and probably just make the seller mad for their stupidity.

Went to the sale when I was about 16, to buy a calf for my little sister. Didn't see anything I wanted, so was walking across the parking lot to leave, and there's a little whiteface heifer in the back of a pickup, just getting to the sale. I offered the guy 12 bucks, he said, no, I think I'll just run her through the sale. I went back in, got her for 9.

And a week later, she was dead. You win some, you lose some.