Swap meets advice on selling

voteoften on 25/08/2013 - 23:37

I've decided to sell at a few swap meets to clear out some excess goods. It is also good experience for my daughter and she gets all the money for her goods, which up to this point has been about 90% of the items sold.

I've been twice and I am looking for advice on dealing with obnoxious people.

Our goods are pretty much as new and undamaged. There are also a lot of new items still in their packaging. I've ticketed them at about 15-25% of new if they are brand new or as new. Significantly less if damaged or obviously used. I think my prices are fair and if I was in the market for these goods I'd be thrilled to find them at this price.

It seems to me that the early shoppers (who get there about the same time as sellers, but who can not enter until about 40 minutes later) are the worst. They rush in, pick things up and offer half or less of the marked price. They get angry when I tell them I will get the marked price later in the day. One practically shouted at me today and told me I was depriving poor people of a chance to get noce goods. He threw the items down hard and stalked off. He was similarly rude the previous week about other items, ones that went on to sell at the marked price.

Then you have other sellers that don't even look at the goods before they start haggling. If you agree to their price, they walk off.

Then there are others that just get angry when I tell them I am not discounting. They act as if they are entitled to a discount and whatever discount they have decided. Sometimes I will give a discount for multiple items, sometimes not.

Today, one woman grabbed a stuffed toy that was in the $2 box and was clearly marked $2 held it up and said I'll give you 50 cents for this. I said No, Then she demanded I take a dollar. I shook my head and she hurled it down screaming that she only wanted it for her dog, as if that was relevant.

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with these people? I am thinking I will no longer explain why I won't accept a lower price because it is not relevant to the interaction. (Generally it is because I am certain I will get the price marked sometime in the near future and I do not see the benefit of giving that money away.)

Incidentally, I have noted that the later shoppers, even at the very end, are not the ones seeking extreme bargains.

Also, does anyone know where the best goods are being sold at swap meets in PERTH? Maybe I should try another market.

General Discussion

Comments

  • frondono on 26/08/2013 - 00:15
    +1

    canningvale markets

    • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 00:41

      Have you been to any others and is this one undercover? Thanks

      • frondono on 26/08/2013 - 11:49

        not many i think there's one at the kardinya shops as well. canningvale is undercover and fairly big

  • plmko on 26/08/2013 - 00:49
    +5

    No way to deal with them, they just simply have mental problems and have gotten too used to our overly nice mega-franchise orientated consumer market, expecting you to magically give them beyond reasonable prices or refund their money when they've soiled the product beyond re-sellability.

    I do my rounds on Ebay quite a lot, and once this guy messaged me if I had "more in stock", to which I replied "sure, I've got as much as you need"…..only to be replied with a head scratching 'F@*$ You'.

    So yeah, shrug them off, you're not desparate to sell, they just want to get to you so you snap and make a stupid decision.

  • aerona on 26/08/2013 - 03:16
    +1

    Hire a bodyguard.

  • Euphemistic on 26/08/2013 - 07:56
    +4

    How about offering to mark up the price 100% so they can offer you half and you still get what you want?

    • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 10:04

      I did that yesterday with this asian guy who peppered me with lowball offers last week and yesterday. He gave me a puzzled smile and walked off.

  • John-John on 26/08/2013 - 08:47
    +2

    I understand it's not a nice experience (people yelling at you) but your in
    a market (no pun intended) that will attract these types. Anyone who acts like
    that is obviously miserable, unhappy and uncouth. BUT don't let it detract from what you set out to do. That is, provide a good experience for your daughter and relieve you of goods no longer required at a price that 90% obviously are happy to pay.
    What you are doing is allowing the miserable 10% to affect you to such a degree that you're thinking of changing markets - or even quitting.
    Turn it around. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing (and meeting) the 90% who
    pay up and walk off with a 'bargain'. The remaining 10% is just a great free educational reminder for you and your daughter that there are people "out there - like that".
    After all - it's people like you - that people like us (members of OB) need.
    Someone always offering a 'bargain'.

    • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 10:19
      +2

      Thanks. I am thinking about changing markets but I don't see that as a negative or a failure. One may be a better match for my goods. That's why I'm interested in hearing about other places.

      The first day we went, another seller came up and had us set aside a number of items and she came and paid for them when things quieted down. I went and spoke with her later and she said that my goods are all good value and that is why she didn't try to bargain with me. She said that many of these people just go around and won't touch something unless it is 50 cents or less and then still try to wear you down. I was happy to hear that she thought my prices were right because she is in the market for my type of stuff and is a seller with a LOT of experience.

      What I am trying to figure out is the best way to tell people that my price is firm without them losing face so they will not buy. I have been basically saying that I would get the marked price later and one guy argued with me saying that I was implying I'd get the full retail new price (some nebulous figure higher than my marked price) later and demanded to know where I'd be getting that. If I just say no, some seem to take that as a personal rejection and are likely to walk off. I don't want to get into discussions with people over what retail prices are (or any long discussion for that matter). I saw a seller and potential buyer in a literal shouting match over what something was worth. FFS. Buyer - just walk away, if you can get it elsewhere that cheap go buy it. Seller - just tell the buyer you can't meet their price.

  • exc3113nce on 26/08/2013 - 09:17
    +2

    Why do you need to explain to them. Explaining just gives them some reason to think that they should be getting it at the cheaper price.

    No matter what market avenue you take - whether it be web or person to person, there are always going to be people who offer you significantly less in hope of a bargain.

    • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 10:20

      Yeah. I am thinking you are right. What I don't want is to "insult" people so they just walk off. Looking for a way to soften it.

      • Ughhh on 26/08/2013 - 11:03
        +1

        Just keep saying "my price is firm" like a parrot, the more you try to explain, the more questions you're gonna be asked.

  • ilostnemo on 26/08/2013 - 10:03
    +1

    Welcome to Retail,

    Yes these people have issues.

    The early people are looking for bargains, if you sell your items to them, take a walk around the markets and you'll see the exact item with double the price.

    We went to the one in Belmont Forum, and had 3 bays worth, the seagulls were hovering and helping us to get the items unpacked, we didn't care about the prices, it was more or less, we are doing this once and everything must sell.

    IMO 15-25% of retail, isn't that great a bargain, considering no warranty, and also considering you don't get that warm fuzzy feeling of being the first person to use/open it.

    A simple No, but thanks for your offer, is what I say, but you'll always get the knobheads, just take a deep breath and move on to the next xustomer.

    The market customers are usually the same bunch of people week in and week out.

    I haven't tried Canning Vale Markets but It is a bit more upmarket than the usual in Perth

    • sparkles on 26/08/2013 - 10:23
      +1

      15-25% of retail is a bargain in my book. You are saving 75%+ in a lot of cases for someone else to have bought it in the shop and opened the box. I'll forgo the "warm fuzzy feeling", that doesn't bother me. I get more of a kick from finding something pricey for next to nothing. I will never go in for the kill though, I'm terrible at bargaining, I always cave, especially if the price they quote is fair.

    • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 10:26

      In regards to Canning Vale, you say you haven't tried them but that they are more upmarket. Does that mean you haven't sold there but that you have looked around? Or is it just taht you have heard it is nicer?

      I am a bit surprised because I consider that area to be a downmarket area generally.

    • Ughhh on 26/08/2013 - 11:01

      Is it 15-25% OFF retail, or 15-25% of the retail price (so ~75% OFF) ?

      • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 11:21

        of retail. So 75 - 85% OFF retail.

  • sparkles on 26/08/2013 - 10:19
    +3

    You do see some of the weirdest behaviour at markets. I once saw a girl point at a set of as new Game of Thrones books, ask the price, he quoted her like two bucks a piece which was perfectly reasonable, she dropped the book, rolled her eyes, turned on her heel, and stormed off like a freak in a huff. After she was gone everyone just looked at each other like WTF just happened?

    One off market sellers just trying to sell off excess stuff should be able to put up a sign, "My prices are already dirt cheap, please no bargaining"

  • ilostnemo on 26/08/2013 - 12:24
    +1

    oops I misread, I read it as Off, If that's the case I'd say price a little higher, then come down.

    Customers mentality is, they don't get a win unless they barter you down.

  • lisss on 26/08/2013 - 12:30
    +1

    I think these people are just part and parcel of selling at swap meets unfortunately. A few of them are regulars (buyers or sellers) and sniff out the newbies or non-regulars to try their luck. Those intimidation tactics work on some, which is why they do it. Others do it because they are just nuts.

    I find it best if you don't engage or show you care. For example, if someone offers me a price I'm unhappy with I just say "no sorry, x is the lowest I'll go" and then do something else as if I'm not interested in engaging with them further. Other times I'll say "no I think that's a good price already, but if you come back before closing and its not sold I'll discount it" or "I wont discount that this early, but might do later in the morning depending on sales".

    I have only ever sold at Karrinyup and have always found it a somewhat stressful experience. I am not bothered by the rudeness in haggling, more by the chaos when setting up (other sellers rifling through your goods and making a mess, demanding your attention when you're trying to take things out of the car) and also trying to watch your items and haggle with people at the same time (I have had instances of catching people stealing, so watch out for that). I always have 1 other person with me but that's not enough - also be careful who you choose to take along - I once took my Mum and she stood in the buyers' way in the middle of the stall, not watching what was happening and generally being much more of a hindrance than a help!

    ETA: I have been to the Melville markets as a buyer not a seller and it seemed a lot less crowded and chaotic (in that sellers weren't on top of each other like they are at Karrinyup due to lack of space), but it's not undercover which obviously rules it out in winter.

    • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 12:57

      I dont't care too terribly much about the rudeness, but it is the thought that I could say something different to declare the price firm, without "hurting" them into leaving. I would like to convert as many people into buyers (at full price) as possible, rather than them getting wounded, embarassed or on their high horse and leaving.

      It irritates me how some of the old ladies tell their grandkids to "see if the nice lady will take $2 for this little toy" when it is clearly marked $5. I say no and they give me the most extreme looks of either contempt or that they are so wounded that I have not decided to spend my money on teaching their little angels that the world will do whatever they want as long as they mumble a few incomprehensible words.

      Thanks Liss, I will say that is the lowest I'll go.

      • lisss on 26/08/2013 - 13:02
        +1

        Ha - beat them at their own game. Say to the child "Sorry honey I can't discount that now, I'll only be able to at the end of the morning if it hasn't sold". Cue child bugging grandparent for the rest of the morning about that item :)

        • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 13:13
          +1

          I've found that once they have gone that far, they end up buying at my price, with a lot of huffing, puffing and tut tutting.

  • m0nkeycheese on 26/08/2013 - 13:02

    Put up a sign that says 'Prices as marked no haggling, dont even ask' and you should get a couple less people asking. Also if its the same guy that comes back just tell him to piss off and say they are not welcome.

    • voteoften on 26/08/2013 - 13:16
      +1

      I am definitely going to tell that guy to piss off. I am looking forward to it. It's the old white dude. Or maybe I'll start engaging him on the merits of just giving his money to these supposed porr people. They would have the higher utility with his money than they would with anything he decides to gift them with.

      The asian guy, I won't cuz he is at least polite

    • sparkles on 27/08/2013 - 08:53

      The people that haggle the hardest are usually the ones with wads of fifties in their wallet.

  • cloudy on 26/08/2013 - 13:05

    if you get a lot of them, start ur price at double what u want, so when they offer you half the price you can say "deal".

    but u might drive away other customers too, which is sad.

  • dannyeei on 26/08/2013 - 17:33

    Does anyone know of any swapmeets on the Gold Coast? I'm keen to give one a try!

  • No ONE on 26/08/2013 - 21:24

    That's horrible. If I were u, I would just say f*** off if they were not interested.

  • tonka on 27/08/2013 - 08:57
    +2

    Just tell em it's all on consignment and someone else set the price. That should eliminate a bit of the willie waggling and maybe you will get the sale anyway.

  • Snakey Chook on 27/08/2013 - 15:22

    CanningVale markets are reasonably pleasant - that said, I haven't sold there since I was about age 12 (a good 13 years ago now). Like any markets, some of the crowd are on the distasteful side, but it's mostly fine.

  • voteoften on 27/08/2013 - 18:14

    Thanks everyone. I am going to check out canning vale sunday week.

    • lisss on 29/08/2013 - 16:37

      Let me know how you find it!

      • voteoften on 29/08/2013 - 18:02

        I will. It will just be as a browser. I have something at 10am, so will go before that.

        They have responded and said bays are $35 and they have no availability other than cancellations. Must be pretty good to be that booked out.

        Not going until the 8th.

  • morpheu on 29/08/2013 - 16:17

    if i was doing a car boot sale, i would double the price of everything, then put up a sign saying "POLITE haggling most welcome"! because i like to haggle myself as a buyer, but then again i do consider myself thick skinned…

  • Dexter on 23/10/2016 - 12:59

    It's a flea market so you expect haggling. Just smile and move on. I've sold heaps at those places and you get mostly great people. The people that come early are usually second hand dealers who will flog the stuff at their own store or on ebay. So stick to the price you want to get.

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