SOB Stories and Lowball Offers

[iart]

We always got them but now they're coming at us a couple times a week. Like this:

"My grandson would love  these and it's his birthday next month will you take $25 for this item you're asking $150 for?"

I can't believe people actually try this. They go on our block list and we usually reply asking them for more money than the listed price "because we need the money".

Anyone else seeing this happen a lot more?

[chapeau-noir]

I don't really care about the stories, and low ball offers don't insult me (why would they? They say nothing about my items or myself), and I do consider reasonable offers.  The only thing that I find annoying is if someone starts dissing the item with a string of "Well, not a top brand, it's pre-owned", etc. etc., and only because they seem to think I'm too stupid to know what I'm doing, despite having sold almost 10,000 items on here. Then I'm like this:

 

[duncanvr]

meh this is why I use auto decline and my lowest accepted price. I just don't waste time with low ballers.

[rugerskick]

A few times.  Some may be real.  Either way, its interesting they use this appeal to online sellers.  Do they go to McDonalds and ask for food at lower prices because their grandson's birthday is today and he loves McDonalds?  Do they go to Walmart and ask for something at a fraction of the sale price?  Do they go to the gas station and ask for gas at a fraction of the sale price?

Its pretty exclusive to online resellers because of the general anonymity online.  I regard all of these unsolicited attempts as sob story scams.  My business is a business, not a charity.

[mr_lincoln]

Hi @iart 

I never use Best Offer but I get offers messaged and have the option to Reply with offer if I want.  Since my Description has "Questions welcome" near the end I always reply to the low ball offers that I would be selling for a loss, would have to decline but appreciate their interest.  If they message back asking what my best price would be I advise them the list price or starting bid price if it is an auction.  Some actually purchase then but most simply go elsewhere.

[iart]

They aren't usually making an offer. Just sending a message.

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@duncanvr wrote:

meh this is why I use auto decline and my lowest accepted price. I just don't waste time with low ballers.

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[bonjourami]

The best one I got was when I was selling a $2500 authentic ladies Cartier tank watch..and got a request from this person offering $25 because her 'grandmother had one just like it',and she wanted it 'for sentimental reasons'. Blech.

[rugerskick]

Some people have incredible gall when they are anonymous (ie you don't know them) online.

[sandyb358]

Here's what I do: When you set to accept offer, you can also put in the lowest amount you can/will take for an offer. This stops the lowball offers. Occasionally I do get a message from someone wanting it for way less and I just tell them what my lowest offer is.