gripes

[jerseyben]

The single best way to kill a deal with me is to tell me you are going to sell my stuff on ebay and that you need to make some money on it.

Lately I have attempted to make some in-person deals for stuff I had no use for but assumed others would like for their own collection, etc (stuff that has a known market value). After meeting with these individuals, I showed them my items and then told them my price (typically what I could get for it on ebay). After examining the item and discussing price, eventually they flat out tell me "I'm just gonna sell it on ebay so I can only offer $x.xx so I can make some money". Deal over.

This type of negotiating is just wasting everyone's time. It pisses me off because you obviously think I'm an idiot. If I wanted to sell the item on ebay I could and get my asking price. At this point the way I look at it is I am just paying someone a commission to sell my stuff on ebay (when I am capable of doing it myself). And finally, I am NOT gonna make it that easy for you to make a few bucks when I already did most of the work.

I am talking about individual people just like you and me. Retail stores are a different story, as they have real business costs to contend with. However, if I wanted to sell to a shop, I would have gone to a shop.

I think every deal I have attempted to do on CL in the past year has essentially ended this way. This happened to me at a coin show with a fellow customer who wanted to "trade" (not a dealer). It happened to me with a guy who I tried to sell some Magic the Gathering cards to last week. He actually asked me, "where are all the good cards"? Like he was so pompous that he was expecting me to have a fully playable valuable collection for him to browse complete with hundred dollar cards for my asking price of $300 for everything (35k cards!). If I were to put all the good cards in that same lot, he could EASILLY expect to pay 10-20x my asking price.

I know, I know, I know... There are other sides to this coin. This has just been on my mind lately and I had to vent.

 

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[Beans]

You have a valid gripe. They can buy the item(s) or take thier money and leave. Don't care what they do with it after they buy it.

 

[randazzo1]

Jersey - I feel you on this gripe. While I realize, like you, that there are 2 sides to the coin (ebay fees, larger audience, etc) it does annoy me when the "I'm going to re-sell" line is used as a negotiation tactic for small collectibles that have a pretty well defined market value. If it's a set of 50 dishes that I could sell individually for $10.00 each on ebay - I'm happy to let it go to a re-seller for $80.00 because he will do the bulk of the work. But if it is a coin, token, piece of jewelry etc, then the in-person sale is really just another forum for disposing of the item at retail. Why discount it? It boils down to who, as you said, "did most of the work". With a small valuable item, its just a matter of listing and shipping- thus the work is in the finding / prepping / researching of the item. With large, bulky items or sets -- a much more substantial part of the burden lies with the person who has to list / pack/ ship the items.

Also - if it's something I'm into -- I don't want to hear that you are going to "re-sell it". I've given many a bargain to new collectors (especially kids) if I think the person actually wants the item. Few things make me happier than introducing a new soul to a great hobby.

Finally - I understand that these are hard times and that the number of people buying for re-sale has drastically increased, but it seems that some of the unwritten rules and traditions of the second-hand world have all but disappeared with the influx of new participants. First, of course, is the example you raised - the art of negotiation has been discarded in exchange for blunter tactics. But there are others as well - For example: If i'm holding something at a flea market and negotiating a price, I would greatly prefer that another potential buyer not interfere and try to "outbid" me on the item; At estate sales, once someone has picked something up and is holding it, they have the right to buy it; It is inappropriate it to buy valuable items cheaply from persons who suffer from some mental infirmity as a result of their age (very young or very old) or a disease.

 

[FloridaHunter]

When you sell on CL do you say that the price is firm?

 

[Iron Patch]

When you sell on CL do you say that the price is firm?

Bingo! I would make it extremely clear before meeting anyone that there would be no moving on the price... and if they hinted that would be an issue, I'd save myself the trip.

 

[Keppy]

If i am selling something ..... I do not care what the buyer is going to do with it after they get it........ I never get upset over what they offer me i just take it or leave it........ And go on to the next buyer or seller.......Life's to short........

 

[Iron Patch]

If i am selling something ..... I do not care what the buyer is going to do with it after they get it........ I never get upset over what they offer me i just take it or leave it........ And go on to the next buyer or seller.......Life's to short........

That was going to be my answer as well (That I don't care what they do) until I realized the main issue was the attempted beating down of the price. For anyone who has their feelings hurt by where their items end up is definitely in the wrong business. As long as I get all I can the buyer can display it, sell it, eat it, or even &^%# it! and it doesn't make a bit of difference to me.

 

[jerseyben]

IP, the point is that they shouldn't use "Im gonna sell it on ebay" as their negotiating tactic to try to get me to lower my price so they can make a few bucks.

Re-read what I posted, you obviously missed the point entirely. You are all correct that I do not care what they do with it but it is INSULTING to assume I am an idiot like I couldn't just list it on ebay myself? If I wanted to sell it on ebay, I would have done that!

Randazzo was SPOT ON with his reply, especially "But if it is a coin, token, piece of jewelry etc, then the in-person sale is really just another forum for disposing of the item at retail". EXACTLY!

 

[Iron Patch]

IP, the point is that they shouldn't use "Im gonna sell it on ebay" as their negotiating tactic to try to get me to lower my price so they can make a few bucks.

Re-read what I posted, you obviously missed the point entirely. You are all correct that I do not care what they do with it but it is INSULTING to assume I am an idiot like I couldn't just list it on ebay myself? If I wanted to sell it on ebay, I would have done that!

Randazzo was SPOT ON with his reply, especially "But if it is a coin, token, piece of jewelry etc, then the in-person sale is really just another forum for disposing of the item at retail". EXACTLY!

You should read my post again, because I know exactly what you are saying, and I was replying to Keppy, which should be obvious since I quoted his post. As for your sitaution why would you care where what their intention is? Isn't the point that you don't want to be beat down in price? If the Ebay thing makes it different, then you obviouisy do care... but I'm only saying that now because you are making it an issue.

 

[Minrelica]

I could add much more to this topic and may do so when I feel a bit more up to it but the way to sell on CL is to not go for the hard sell. ALWAYS list the item for at least $10 more than you will take. Let them talk you down that $10 and let them feel like they "won". You get what you needed to get [sometimes more] and the buyer goes away happy. The only time I put "price firm" or "no haggling" is if I really need to move something and I know for a fact that I'm selling it for a lot less that I could be. It also depends on my mood at the time ... Not for everyone, just my 2cents from much experience

 

[skeeterd]

I'm looking at this from the buyers point of view. If I were trying to buy something for resale (ebay or anywhere), I would never tell the person I planned on selling it. Why let them know they have another option for selling?

 

[Minrelica]

I'm looking at this from the buyers point of view. If I were trying to buy something for resale (ebay or anywhere), I would never tell the person I planned on selling it. Why let them know they have another option for selling?

I guess I come off as being a dealer/re-seller to people because I've been asked, even accused of it many times.. mostly by women. Whenever they say things like "I know you're gonna make a lot more money than that off of those" I usually, without going overboard, assure them that I'm not re-selling them and they are going to a good home. They let me name my price, the least I can do is make them feel good about it.

 

[Iron Patch]

I'm looking at this from the buyers point of view. If I were trying to buy something for resale (ebay or anywhere), I would never tell the person I planned on selling it. Why let them know they have another option for selling?

Because many probably think they are a PAWN STAR and that's what you're suppose to do. I can tell you from over 10 years of doing this, if you're buying antiques/collectibles/coins, the seller if inexperienced tends to always look at you as a collector, and I certainly would never tell them any different. You're very right it's pretty stupid to suggest there's other places to sell and potentially a higher price to be had. I bet they also try and point out inperfectiions too... to try and get the price down. That might be a reality show right there... "Loser Street Pawn"


Obviously if the person is standing in your store negotiating it's a little different, and no great surprise that you need to make a profit.

 

[jerseyben]

Because many probably think they are a PAWN STAR and that's what you're suppose to do. I can tell you from over 10 years of doing this, if you're buying antiques/collectibles/coins, the seller if inexperienced tends to always look at you as a collector, and I certainly would never tell them any different. You're very right it's pretty stupid to suggest there's other places to sell and potentially a higher price to be had. I bet they also try and point out inperfectiions too... to try and get the price down. That might be a reality show right there... "Loser Street Pawn"


Obviously if the person is standing in your store negotiating it's a little different, and no great surprise that you need to make a profit.

IP, great point and I would like to piggyback your comment and spin the discussion:

As I originally posted, I am seeing more and more deals not pan out because the buyer is just trying to flip the item on ebay for a quick buck. This is becoming all too common, even trendy. I belong to a coin collectors forum website and many of the posts I see on there are alarming. Many of those forum members are not joining to learn about numismatics but to find out what grade/variety their coin is and what it is worth so they can "flip it".

I see countless posts from people who bought a coin blindly on ebay, admitedly to to try to flip, with no clue about what they are actually doing. This kind of mentality is offensive to me and I would expect all of the forum members here to understand this. We all go out and do actual legwork from researching sales, timing our arrivals, picking through junk to find a gem, real negotiations, researching your purchases, then marketing the item including listing it on ebay, packing and shipping. These people who bought something to flip it are not only naive in thinking it is "just that simple" but they are also "cheapening" the game by doing it the lazy way. Anyone can click around on a website for an hour and hit "buy it now" on an item they think is underpriced. I am just tired of seeing these people post their coin to "flip" and ask if they got a good deal and how much people they think it would sell for (and often how to sell it for the most profit). 9 times out of 10 the coin was underpriced for a reason. Do these people really think that they are the only person to see this amazing auction for a rare and valuable coin priced very cheap? Unbelievable...

 

[trdhrdr007]

I look at things a little differently. I don't tell people I'm a reseller in negotiations. I don't look for items priced at retail prices or contact people with retail prices listed. I do get the occassional call from people that know I'm a buyer wth cash....almost the first words out of my mouth are that I resell & can't pay retail. Life's too short to deal with people looking for retail prices when you are a wholesaler.

I was the new guy at one time. That means I thought I could negotiate prices from the retail level to a price I was comfortable with. I doubt there are many people here that started any different.

 

[cyberdan]

I find it hard to negotiate at yard sales. Not because I can't it is the seller. I always ask what they want to get and they don't know, so i offer a low price. I will either get a yes or no. If i get a no, I wait for a counter offer but it rarely comes. I remind them this is a yardsale and still a blank face. I then have to ask them again what they want.

They are probably the ones that also write YERD SAIL, in pencil on a piece of printer paper with an arrow with the tiniest pointer (>) don't get me started on idiot written yard sail signs.

 

[KPN]

Craigslist Etiquette

We sell a lot of stuff on Craigslist, and the buyers seem to come in three distinct flavors. You see the collectors/users who are buying for their own pleasure or use, the amateur resellers (they always know the asking price on Ebay, which, by the way, isn't the same as the SOLD FOR price, and the speculating in-advance chiselers who seldom show up.

We post on Craigslist for pricier, more collectible items, or stuff we simply care about. For me, something is "collectible" if I like it. Items we don't care about usually show up at our annual yard sale.

We always preview buyers by email and phone and NEVER give out our address prior to when the buyer is ready to jump in the car and show up. We are also very clear that we don't "hold" items for anyone since buyers who aren't prepared to buy, in my opinion, lose their turn to those buyers who are cash-ready. We tell this to buyers upfront and it helps since they know we abide by the "first come first served" rule.

If you plan to sell enough stuff, set up an account on Craigslist, and re-post your things as often as Craigslist allows. lt is helpful to have your listings in the right category (or you might get flagged), and equally helpful for your listing to come to the top of the list. There are a few folks who list on Craigslist, sell the item, and simply leave their ads up as though the item is still available. VERY IRRITATING!

Over the holidays via Craigslist, we sold a remote control Mini Cooper for $40, originally paid $150, a blade sharpener, a gorgeous executive chair I bought at a yard sale for $20 and sold for $75. Sometimes you make money, sometimes you just divest yourself of stuff.

If you list, just be clear about your terms, and don't give out your address until your buyer is ready to get in the car and come over. It can save you a lot of grief. If someone gives you the "I plan to resell it" speech, just remind them they can't resell it until you've sold it to them. If they offer you less $ than you want, just don't sell it. There are plenty of other buyers out there.

 

[Iron Patch]

IP, great point and I would like to piggyback your comment and spin the discussion:

As I originally posted, I am seeing more and more deals not pan out because the buyer is just trying to flip the item on ebay for a quick buck. This is becoming all too common, even trendy. I belong to a coin collectors forum website and many of the posts I see on there are alarming. Many of those forum members are not joining to learn about numismatics but to find out what grade/variety their coin is and what it is worth so they can "flip it".

I see countless posts from people who bought a coin blindly on ebay, admitedly to to try to flip, with no clue about what they are actually doing. This kind of mentality is offensive to me and I would expect all of the forum members here to understand this. We all go out and do actual legwork from researching sales, timing our arrivals, picking through junk to find a gem, real negotiations, researching your purchases, then marketing the item including listing it on ebay, packing and shipping. These people who bought something to flip it are not only naive in thinking it is "just that simple" but they are also "cheapening" the game by doing it the lazy way. Anyone can click around on a website for an hour and hit "buy it now" on an item they think is underpriced. I am just tired of seeing these people post their coin to "flip" and ask if they got a good deal and how much people they think it would sell for (and often how to sell it for the most profit). 9 times out of 10 the coin was underpriced for a reason. Do these people really think that they are the only person to see this amazing auction for a rare and valuable coin priced very cheap? Unbelievable...

Not much to worry about with those people because if you're guessing you'll never make much money, and therefore not last. I know when I stray from what I know tends to be the times I lose, so for someone who knows very little you'd have to think they'd lose more times than they gain simply by just adding in the extras costs like shipping and ebay fees.

This reminds me of one situation I run into sometimes that bugs me, and usually costs me money, or results in losing an auction I otherwise would have won. It's when I see many items sold as a group, and there's one thing I want that the seller completely overlooked, but what else is in the group is something like a fake gold coin. You'll always have some crazy person thinking it looks real, or is willing to take a gamble on it, and then he blasts an insane bid and either makes me pay much higher than I would have, or wins and doesn't even realize what was the best item in the lot. He probably wasn't going to make money in the first place just beating my bid, but his gold coin not working out he'd probably sell it all again in a lot and hope to get his money back. Of course he was thinking I was also bidding on the gold coin, so feels it would probably work again, and maybe it would, but if not he takes a pretty good hit. A lessor version of that when there's two very different quality items, but a lot of times there will be buyers for one and not the other, because they're bidding to keep. I actually like those situations because I generally win because their high bid is based on just the one, where I value the two because I'll sell both. Many sellers make the mistake of groupng different collecibles, and I'm glad they do!

 

[Keppy]

IP, great point and I would like to piggyback your comment and spin the discussion:

As I originally posted, I am seeing more and more deals not pan out because the buyer is just trying to flip the item on ebay for a quick buck. This is becoming all too common, even trendy. I belong to a coin collectors forum website and many of the posts I see on there are alarming. Many of those forum members are not joining to learn about numismatics but to find out what grade/variety their coin is and what it is worth so they can "flip it".

I see countless posts from people who bought a coin blindly on ebay, admitedly to to try to flip, with no clue about what they are actually doing. This kind of mentality is offensive to me and I would expect all of the forum members here to understand this. We all go out and do actual legwork from researching sales, timing our arrivals, picking through junk to find a gem, real negotiations, researching your purchases, then marketing the item including listing it on ebay, packing and shipping. These people who bought something to flip it are not only naive in thinking it is "just that simple" but they are also "cheapening" the game by doing it the lazy way. Anyone can click around on a website for an hour and hit "buy it now" on an item they think is underpriced. I am just tired of seeing these people post their coin to "flip" and ask if they got a good deal and how much people they think it would sell for (and often how to sell it for the most profit). 9 times out of 10 the coin was underpriced for a reason. Do these people really think that they are the only person to see this amazing auction for a rare and valuable coin priced very cheap? Unbelievable...

...... I still do not see why you get so upset about how others do things......... I still do not care what anyone does .... I do my way ..they do theres...........We all do things different .... and we all think our way is the best way........... But with your thinking it is my way is the right way and if some one does not do it my way it has to be wrong........

 

[Beans]

They are probably the ones that also write YERD SAIL, in pencil on a piece of printer paper with an arrow with the tiniest pointer (>) don't get me started on idiot written yard sail signs.

I would like to hear some, start a new thread.