I think it's like beauty; it's all in the eyes of the beholder. Or, if you prefer, like real estate. An appraiser will assess a property and compare it to the listings of others like it. Is the market trending upward for that kind of property locally? If so, and it's a hot market, you might be able to list it for about 4% higher. If the market is cooling, then less...especially if you'd like to move it along.
I figure a person loses nothing by lowballing. The lower the offer, the more likely the seller is to be offended, so it's a touchy operation. The seller isn't obliged to accept, or even to counter. It's a dance. Sometimes a person gets lucky.
You could respond with, "Thank-you for your offer. I'm only willing to sell at a reasonable price, which I feel I have listed. I am prepared to negotiate, but not to take a bath. I hope you understand. I am willing to consider another offer from you, but only if it is substantially closer to the price I have listed for the item."
You have remained civil, composed, in control, apparently unflappable or slow to ire, and made clear the terms under which you will consider further discussion with him. It places the ball very much in a descending arc on his side of the net.
I tend to use make a offer listing on something I like. But when I do the seller isn't willing to go down $10-20 on a locomotive, instead he wants me pay $5 bucks less. That's not a good price for a new unused locomotive from 5-7 years ago.
I believe your brass point is reasonable for what you're willing to sell it.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
IMO used stuff, from an individual rather than a dealer, is reasonably priced at 60% of full retail. From the buyers point of view, there is more risk associated with buying used and the risk is compounded when buying from other than a dealer who is known for standing behind what they sell.
I don't mean to imply that individual sellers are not reputable, just that a buyer has no real way of knowing.
And... even rare model railroad equipment falls under the old rule that anything is only worth what someone will pay for it. In other words, it is the buyers that determine value, not sellers.
As a buyer, I would offer you what it's worth to me. If that's less than you are willing to take, don't get insulted, just reject the offer and move on.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
In the ideal world it would be nice if we were all inteligent shoppers. Just for grins I looked at a specific Intermountain sound equiped SD40. That exact model number sells for $190 at a big internet retailer and there are at least two for sale on Ebay, one for $180 and one for $300.
Neither has a make offer, but in this example, the price is easily researched. The $300 guy must be hoping someone who has had too much to drink stumbles on his ad late at night and and just has to have that loco. Won't that buyer feel stupid in the morning.
In the case of stuff that is not longer made, knowing it's worth is much harder.
Everyone wants a deal but not all of us enjoy car shopping. Everyone also has a budget. If $700 is all I have to spend, I don't particularly want you to send me a nasty email nor do I want to get caught up in the auction frenzy of bidding (against myself perhaps) and chasing the price to the point of having buyers remorse.
OTOH if my budget is $1,000 I can play the game, how cheap can I get it? Without having buyers remorse, no matter what I pay.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
oldline1What do you all consider REASONABLE? Maybe I'm crazy? oldline1
I've bought and traded for decades and here's my personal thought.
A reasonable offer would target the price or trade value I really want.
As a example..I'm asking $100.00 for a used DCC/Sound Atlas/Kato GP7. A offer of $75.00 would be in the ball park since my asking price is inflated so I can haggle the price in order to get the price I really want,in this case that $75.00 offer.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
My question is........how do YOU define REASONABLE? I have several brass auctions going on feebay right now with the Buy It Now or Make An Offer selected. In the auctions I state I will accept reasonable offers. Most folks don't take advantage of BIN or MAO in the first place in spite of what feebay says about them.
I'm not trying to get rich off the auction and I'm already retired so that isn't my goal here. All I want is to recoup my investment and cover the costs of shipping, feebay fees and PayPal. I don't think that's an unreasonable goal.
SO..........an engine that's rather hard to come by and expensive to begin with, factory painted, MIB that sells in the $800-850 area at shops IF it comes up I list as BIN and MAO for $750 I don't think is out of line. Yes, we all want one for free but I find it unacceptable to receive an offer of $475. I want to sell my stuff and it isn't Free To A Good Home!
What do you all consider REASONABLE? Maybe I'm crazy?
oldline1