? For sale, Make offer.

[Dave Lehnert]

How effective is it to list an item for sale on Craigslist or the like "Make offer" I would think you would get nothing but low ball offers. Would you be better off listing something like $300 or best offer just so the buyer has a ball park figure.

How do you deal with such a listing as a buyer or seller?

[Charles Wiggins]

I have a love/hate relationship with "make an offer" ads. I love it when the seller is easy to deal with and you end up with a good deal that makes you both happy. It absolutely STINKS when you make a low offer in hopes of getting a deal and rather than politely countering, the seller gets insulted. I think most buyers and horse traders prefer for the seller to start the negotiations for that reason.

As a seller, I ALWAYS price my listings. I do my research and try to find out what similar items are being listed for, both new and used so I am competitive and reasonable. I do tend to price on the higher end of "competitive and reasonable" with the thought that most folks will try to negotiate. But a few times I have been surprised that folks met my price with no haggling and were happy to get the item at that price and I was happy to get more than I actually expected.

[David G Baker]

When I list something for sale on Craig's list or Ebay I list it at the minimum price I will accept for the item. I rarely ever bid on or buy "make offer" items unless it is something I can't live with out. Items with out photos are rarely bid on by me either.

[Rob Bodenschatz]

As a buyer, I ignore them. As a seller, I don't do it.

[Bruce Page]

As a buyer, I ignore them. As a seller, I don't do it.

+1.

I really hate it when they don’t put any price down and expect you to quarry them.

[James Jaragosky]

+1.

I really hate it when they don’t put any price down and expect you to quarry them.

+1
I never even consider anything that is not priced. I just figure that either the seller wants to much or hasn't a clue what its worth. The item is probably more trouble that its worth.
Jim J.

[Anthony Anderson]

Same as Rod, Bruce, and James. I don't waste my time with "make me an offer" ads. If an ad/listing doesn't have any pictures, I don't bother with those either.

I suppose it might work with some buyers.

[Al Willits]

Add me to the list, but if unsure I'd list a price and add "or make offer", that at least gives the buyer a idea what you want.

Al

[Jim Rimmer]

I don't know about the unpriced or make offer situation but I would discourage putting in $xxx or best offer. You just told everyone that you are willing to take less.

[Paul Ryan]

I never advertise a "make offer" because I am worried I will get all sorts of calls offering way to little. Instead I almost always use the $$$/OBO. The reason is because I feel buyers want to be able to negoitate, if on craigslist. To me if I see and add and it says $400 that means that is what they want and they will haggle very little. So in my case the last think I sold on craigslist was a projection TV. I wanted $300 for it so I put the add $350/OBO sure enough the 1st person that called offered $325. They were happy thinking they got a deal and I got extra beer money.

[Al Willits]

I don't know about the unpriced or make offer situation but I would discourage putting in $xxx or best offer. You just told everyone that you are willing to take less.

If I wanted to sell a item for $400 I'd put a $500 or so price on it, I'd not put bottom line price.

Be supprised how many times you'd settle for $425-450

As far as keeping low ball biders out, good luck, you can list a "FIRM" price and they'll offer less.

Al

[Jim Mattheiss]

BTDT - today in fact. NJ CL Listing for 16" Walker Turner Bandsaw. No price.

Sent email with several questions - including "what are yo looking for"?

They came back with $450 and it's 3 phase. I'll pass for now.

I said if you get no bites, I'd give em $250 for it.

I'm pretty sure I'll never hear from them again, but you never know.

Jim

[Myk Rian]

A fellow WWer I know had a bunch of darkroom equipment to get rid of.
Tried asking cheap prices on CL and got no calls.
He finally changed the ad to read "No unreasonable offer refused".
Still no calls, until he changed it again to FREE.

Another time, I bought the cheap Delta TS200FS table saw for $40 off CL.
Took it home, cleaned it up, posted it on CL for $60.
Sold it the next day for the $60.
It wasn't worth $40.

[Matt Stiegler]

Instead I almost always use the $$$/OBO. The reason is because I feel buyers want to be able to negoitate, if on craigslist. To me if I see and add and it says $400 that means that is what they want and they will haggle very little.

Interesting. My impression/experience is different. I feel like bargaining is the default on craigslist, and that anyone who doesn't say "$xx firm" is open to negotiating depending on the response they get. I never say OBO when I list something, and I almost always get offers below my asking price -- in fact, when I don't it makes me suspect I didn't ask enough (And as a buyer that's the only time I don't counter-offer.)

I'd be reluctant to put OBO in an ad because I'd worry that would encourage lowball offers, which sometimes I find off-putting.

I'm not disagreeing with you, I don't think there's one single CL etiquette.

As to the original topic, I agree with everyone else, I ignore "make offer" ads and ads that just have a phone number instead of a price.

[Jim Rimmer]

If I wanted to sell a item for $400 I'd put a $500 or so price on it, I'd not put bottom line price.

Be supprised how many times you'd settle for $425-450

As far as keeping low ball biders out, good luck, you can list a "FIRM" price and they'll offer less.

Al

I agree, Al. I would post a higher price and be willing to haggle. But some people are a little nervous about haggling and you might get the asking price. If you say OBO your telling everyone that you don't expect to get your asking price.