Why do some buyers even bother to make ridiculously unreasonable offers?

LWizs on 17/01/2015 - 22:36
Last edited 18/01/2015 - 01:13 by 1 other user

I received an expensive lens as Xmas gift but I dont want it. The lens is newest Canon 85mm 1.2F selling for 2200+ even for grey imports. Mine is Australian stock with Australian warranty and with the original receit and BRAND NEW IN BOX!.
I'm listing it for $2000 and ready to accept lower offer. However, ppl start to make unreasonable offers like $1200. The funny part is someone is making an offer of $1300 and told me mine is worth less than $1400. However, when he said he wants to trade in with one of his used lens, he is valuing his used lens for $500 while the same lens is selling brand new for $369.

Why do ppl even bother to make those ridiculous unreasonable offers?

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Comments

  • Axelstrife on 17/01/2015 - 22:50
    +57

    Everyone likes a bargain.
    who gives a shit what they say,if you know your item is worth whatever you stick to it or if you willing to go lower counter offer.

      • Axelstrife on 18/01/2015 - 18:14
        +6

        Trolling
        Bored
        Both?

      • Wyzard on 20/01/2015 - 23:10
        -1

        Your name is appropriate to your comment i.e. pointless.

        • QuickToThePointless on 21/01/2015 - 00:29

          Hope the irony of both your post in response to mine and of your post on its own merit is not lost on you pal.

    • Charity on 20/01/2015 - 10:30
      -3

      OP is also being unreasonable selling a gift. (a gift that someone clearly thought about) (L-series lens clear!)

      BTW, $1300 bucks on a ~$2000 RRP price, sounds like a legitimate and reasonable offer. Maybe it is too low but is still a fair offer.

      OP probably wanted to put it on his iPhone and didn't like how this one had no Apple logo. lol

      • Kenb0 on 20/01/2015 - 11:17

        dunno what the RRP is, but it sounds like RRP is a lot higher than $2000. From the OP, its selling for $2200+ just for grey imports.

      • Wyzard on 20/01/2015 - 23:22
        +1

        OP has no use for the gift, whats unreasonable about selling it?

        RRP is about $2500 for Aus stock so ~$2000ono is fair in this case. I'd say a $1300 offer on an 85mm f1.2L lens with a $2000 asking price is low balling.

        Calling OP an iPhone fanboy for no reason makes you a douche. Just sayin…

        • Charity on 21/01/2015 - 02:52

          Can't see what is wrong?

          Tell the next few people that give you a gift that you are going to ebay them for ca$h. See what they think…

  • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2015 - 22:56
    +31

    Generous Christmas gift, I wish I had friends like yours.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2015 - 01:54
      +89

      I wish I had friends.

      • belongsinforums on 18/01/2015 - 19:24
        +15

        You have us.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2015 - 21:28
        +22

        Like my daughter would say:

        “You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” :b

        (its from her favorite book , Winnie-the-pooh)

        • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2015 - 00:23
          +1

          @jjb & tomkun:

          <3 haha

        • Daabido on 19/01/2015 - 09:21
          -1

          Or as I would say, "Let your fingers do the walking."

          It's from a very ancient but once ubiquitous book called the Yellow Pages.

        • ethereal88 on 19/01/2015 - 10:12
          +2

          @Daabido:

          Last I did that they ended up in the softest place ever. It certainly wasn't the Forest.

        • GnarlyKnuckles on 19/01/2015 - 12:31
          +5

          @ethereal88:
          Was it a bush?

        • ethereal88 on 20/01/2015 - 06:40

          @GnarlyKnuckles:

          It was Winnie the Pooh's … … honey jar.

      • ProjectZero on 19/01/2015 - 13:13
        +2

        You don't make friends with salad~

        ;P

        • GnarlyKnuckles on 20/01/2015 - 09:33
          +1

          "You don't make friends with salad"

          Yeah, who wants to be friends with pasty old vegans? With their 'look at moi, I'm so compassionate' aura, and their wide-eyed 'holier than thou' judgmental stares as you innocently hoof into your quad-stacker with bacon, chicken popcorn and chocolate thick-shake for morning-tea in the tea-room. While they gently caress a limp lettuce leaf smeared in some acrid-smelling milky substance from a thistle, apologising to it before eating it. And gnatter on incessantly about nebulous crap like 'inner energies'. They're probably all obsessed with 'inner energies' because they don't bloody have any, because they're all so chronically malnourished.
          Fraggin hippies.

  • bargainbot12 on 17/01/2015 - 23:04
    +3

    Yeh sometimes when I sell stuff for e.g. $100 i get an offer for $20
    I'm clearly not going to accept this offer!

    • QuickToThePointless on 18/01/2015 - 13:07
      +3

      Those kind of offers are insulting - i call it microballing. However, i always offer less than what someone is selling asking if thye want a quick sale. If they dont, thne no harm is done. If they do, Then a bargain for you! Good example is large items like fridges where ppl are moving interstate in a few days time and need to get rid of it asap. And most people will knock $5-10 off anything coz they cant be bothered with dead end email/sms that gumtree provides!

      • t_c on 19/01/2015 - 07:44
        +13

        I microballed a Lambo on ebay for $1 once, I think I struck a nerve as many weeks later I was selling something unrelated and the same guy offered me the same amount.

        • hahaboy on 19/01/2015 - 17:38

          I'll offer you one dollar for your username?

  • Smulder on 17/01/2015 - 23:09
    +5

    It is a common method of bargaining; make a low-ball offer well below your asking price in the hope that you will counter-offer with a price somewhere in between.

    • JimmyF on 18/01/2015 - 21:35
      +8

      Or you just piss the person off and they don't bother. Cause thats what I do when people offer me 20% of the value of the item.

    • meantolive on 19/01/2015 - 14:52

      I'm exactly the same as Level380.
      When I first started selling stuff, I would reply to these lowballers and give a counter offer explaining why I can't go so low.
      99% of the time I won't get a reply so now I don't bother wasting my time entertaining these people.

  • parcus on 17/01/2015 - 23:10
    +22

    Better question is why not? Got nothing to lose.

    • djones145 on 18/01/2015 - 16:05
      +2

      indeed
      takes 10 seconds to spam a email offer
      don't even have to stand there and get blasted about how ur offer is so low!

    • forever saving on 22/01/2015 - 13:28

      Almost nothing to lose, if you piss the guy off he may not want to take a reasonable offer later on since you were trying to lowball him before.

  • X3 on 17/01/2015 - 23:16
    +5

    Both sellers and buyers can be ridiculous sometimes (ok alot of the time).

    There's only one solution, completely ignore the ridiculous ones.

    Dont waste time with them, dont reply, nuthin.

  • scatman00 on 17/01/2015 - 23:35
    +14

    You're on ozbargain, asking why people are low-balling you.

    Are you sure you belong here… ;)

    Who the F, spends 2k on a lens as a present without knowing if they want/need it…? ffs i need new friends/family!

    (you say your willing to accept less than 2k, but then try sell it here for 2k before it got deleted, fool penalty box for you!)

  • altomic on 17/01/2015 - 23:55
    +8

    "sure, $1300 for a new item that costs $2000. Please meet me at this location that is very far away."

    blocks buyers phone number

  • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2015 - 00:15
    +7

    I tend to think that the lowballers are just hoping that the seller is stupid enough to take it.

    ie. maybe there are, on the odd occasion, sellers out there who don't know much about the item they're selling (value or detail wise) and naively give in to any forms of persuasion like "but it's only worth $xyz" from lowballers or whatever. You never know. People selling off gifts they've received, for instance. There have been numerous instances where my parents have received techy gifts which they've not wanted, and have asked me to sell for them. Had it not been for me, they would've had to try and sell them on Gumtree/eBay themselves. How on earth would they know how to value them? They're certainly not savvy enough to do basic research online to gauge prices (real technoobs here). Extrapolate that, and perhaps there are more people out there like that than we might think… and perhaps lowballers (or some of them) are just hoping to catch one out and grab a massive bargain?

    That's one possibility I reckon, anyway. I'm cynical though :P Probably makes little practical sense as the odds of finding a naive seller might be low…

    But yeah, I also agree with the above. "Can't hurt to try" and it being a sort of technique to bargaining/negotiating. Not that I agree with lowballing. It's an arse of a thing to do. Wouldn't do it myself.

    Even when people don't put ANY price, and say "make an offer"… I still ask "what do you want?" lol. D'oh.

  • Davo1111 on 18/01/2015 - 00:37
    +4

    some people want the quick sale, and will accept low ball offers.

    If it didn't work, then people wouldnt do it.

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 18/01/2015 - 00:53

    So someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but the OP is selling a relatively high-end/specialist item 'as new', that typically loses value rapidly as better stuff comes onto the market for a comparable price, that can be bought new from a retailer (i.e. with warranty etc.) for $2200, and they are shocked that they are being offered only a little over half the new price? Erm…

    • 2025 on 18/01/2015 - 18:17
      +9

      Actually, that's incorrect. I will take the opportunity to correct you :)

      Take for example the Canon 24-70 MKI lens. Released in 2002 and 10 YEARS later it was replaced by the MK II. The OP's particular lens' predecessor, the 82mm f1.2 MKI, was announced in 1989 and its successor, the OP's lens, was announced 17 years later in 2006. Canon's L glass takes a long time to be superseded.

    • FirstNameLastName on 18/01/2015 - 19:44

      bigjezza said it best.. but you also seemed to have misread the OP, he is offering it brand new in box with receipt.. very different to a more subjective 'as new'/without receipt situation.

      I would still ensure the warranty can transfer, but I assume it could under the 2011 ACL.

      (I don't know lenses, but I assume they don't get many warranty returns anyway?)

    • IdBuyThat4aDollar on 19/01/2015 - 11:00

      Pretty much what bigjezza said.

      Quality lenses actually hold their value well compared to other things.

      Some actually go up in value.

    • evol on 20/01/2015 - 15:22
      +1

      Canon L series lenses actually hold their value extremely well compared to normal consumer goods and do not depreciate much, if at all, given they are taken care of and kept in good condition.

      I've owned many L lenses and often resold them (after owning for at least 1 year) for anywhere from -10% to +10% of the original price I paid for it.

      Even better is that some lenses, like the 24-70 MK I bigjezza mentioned, actually go up in price once they are superseded.

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 18/01/2015 - 01:05
    +13

    Chuckle… the OP just tried to spam the OzB forums with an ad for it, "…selling for $2000 ONO."

    Dreaming, hombre.

    Why not get the receipt from the gift-givers, and attempt to return the item? Even for 75% "store credit", that would be better than all this angst… unless of course it's actually stuffed/ been dropped/ is nicked/ fell of the back of a truck/ etc…

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2015 - 02:01
      +2

      Can someone explain to me why that was considered spamming?

      I didn't see the thread/post. I can only see the post being marked as deleted (spam) under the OPs profile now, after reading your post, Gnarly.

      Curious as to how something might be classified as spam… I presume it was just a classifieds ad, no?

      • BobbyJ on 18/01/2015 - 09:11
        +2

        OP posted it in the forums not Classifieds, I guess that's why it's spam.

      • Davo1111 on 18/01/2015 - 14:27
        +3

        I dont have any "inside info", but it's a common spamming tactic to post a question on the board then link it back to a commercial product being sold (possibly at a later date).

        Happens all the time on WP where people post "have you heard of this company?" or "i cant get java to work on this website". Meanwhile people go to the site to try and help, and the site gets the extra views it wants.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2015 - 00:25

          Cheers Davo

  • Cheeper on 18/01/2015 - 02:15
    +2

    Re op's original post.. (lol)
    Such is life when selling anything… people make offers, you either like them or you don't … and them move on.
    Most times people only offer what the item is worth to THEM, not you.
    You will never change the human race.

  • RockyRaccoon on 18/01/2015 - 06:12
    +11

    Just like some people make stupid posts on a bargain site, others make ridiculous offers…

  • Davros on 18/01/2015 - 06:41
    +2

    Like anything, its only worth what someone pays on the day.

    • morpheu on 18/01/2015 - 12:51

      true, so more ad time=more offers, some higher some lower, so literally speaking time=money, anyone got the equation for patience(to put up with the low ballers)?

  • jason101 on 18/01/2015 - 08:06
    +4

    I actually think a $1300 return on an specialist item worth around $2k isn't too bad. Sure you may find someone who specifically WANTS that exact item and is prepared to take a punt that they wont have problems with it, but I'd imagine that perfect buyer (who is rare) will still want to pay $1700-1800 for it (and you may be waitingsome months), so $1300 from a noob on the street today probably isn't too bad.

  • Temporary username on 18/01/2015 - 09:06
    +1

    When i list an iphone 5 on gumtree last year for $460, many people offer like $140 ,$150 …
    And the mac air bought from kogan ebay , list price $900 and they offer $300 $350 after many message ask about the item. :'(

  • RandomNinja on 18/01/2015 - 09:14
    +15

    You say you have the original receipt, why not return it to retailer for refund/store credit?

  • GaryQ on 18/01/2015 - 09:44
    +7

    If I actually needed that lens (I have 5 lenses for my 2 x Sony a77's) I would shop around places like DWI and make a decision to buy it.

    If I simply want the lens, and don't need it… then I'm going to be looking to pay less than 60% of the new price from a 2nd hand source. It doesn't matter if it is still in its box and you have never used it - it is second hand because I can't go and throw a tantrum in the shop if something goes wrong.

    You're asking my to pay 92% of RRP to correct your mistake

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2015 - 09:57

      to correct your mistake

      What mistake?

      OP has the receipt and says the lens has Australian warranty.

      Granted, the question of why the OP doesn't simply just take the lens back to the store for a refund does still remain to be answered, but doesn't the warranty still make this second hand lens just as valuable as one bought from a store?

      TBH, I'm not savvy on lenses at all, so I personally have no idea on how they hold value once they're second hand etc - but the way the OP describes the situation, it doesn't sound too unreasonable to them to be asking what they're asking for price wise.

      My opinion remains neutral though as I'm not informed on lenses. I mean.. this may sound utterly stupid, but how do things like Apple products manage to retain their retail value despite being second hand (say, brand new, still in box, never opened, still with receipt, Australian bought etc - just like this lens) and be sold for a miniscule fraction below RRP? Just thinking back to when the iPhone 6 was released and private ads were popping up online. Not far off RRP at all. Yet the items were the same deal as the OPs lens.

      Am I so noob I'm comparing completely different scenarios? Is it because Apple stores have pretty much got your back all the time, no matter what, once you've bought their product? Unlike the risks you take with other brands re: warranty issues etc..?

      Genuinely curious about the differences here.

      • GaryQ on 19/01/2015 - 11:24
        +2

        Fair enough - I debated on leaving out a single word that would have qualified my statement.
        I was going to say 'your relative's mistake'
        Because this all boils down to someone spending several thousand dollars on an item the recipient doesn't want.

        Now - to go into your actual question.

        Everyone uses a phone - so your Apple vs Samsung is a choice of brand
        Not everyone uses a DSLR, and most who do stick with the kit lenses
        Buying a specialised lens that costs more than the camera - you are either a serious hobbyist or you are being paid for your work. I'm a serious hobbyist, and while I could use an 85mm f1.8, its a portrait lens and I shoot live music. Horses for courses. You're really reducing your market to people who already have this lens, or have been thinking about it but haven't jumped because its an expensive piece of kit.

        And those people won't be tempted by an 8% drop from RRP

        • gadget on 19/01/2015 - 12:56
          +4

          Indeed. If I could afford a $2+k lens I'd buy it new unless I knew the seller or there was a reasonable discount for the risk.

  • woz on 18/01/2015 - 10:06
    +2

    Why not try the unusual and highly irregular method of pricing your item at the lowest amount you are willing to accept?

    Despite their unfair fees, I think eBay has a pretty good mechanism for selling items. Sell it at auction, set your start price at something you're happy to accept, and let demand take care of the rest. I suspect the OP would soon find that if the item was listed at $1800 for a week, the item will get passed in. I think $1300 is definitely a reasonable offer.

    To label $1300 as a ridiculous unreasonable offer says more about the seller than the buyer. Amazing that having listed the item at almost full retail value, it hasn't sold yet. Go figure - buyers can be so picky sometimes…

    • Wizs on 18/01/2015 - 18:53

      I did. The auction went well and achieved what I was willing to sell at. However… a guy registered on day 0 made a huge bid in the final moment and left it unpaid.

      • woz on 18/01/2015 - 20:40
        +4

        In this situation, you send the second highest bidder a second chance offer for them to accept or decline. Did you do that?

  • pink on 18/01/2015 - 15:05

    If just give the lowest amount you are willing to accept and write the word 'firm' after it, you won't get low ball offers.

    • QuickToThePointless on 18/01/2015 - 16:29

      I reckon u are losing at least 10-20% on everything you sell this way. I guess thats the trade off for limiting the timewasters that come with selling throguh gumtree especially.

  • netsurfer on 18/01/2015 - 17:16

    Why do they make those ridiculously unreasonable offers? Because there are a lot of eBayers trying to get unbelievable / unrealistic bargains. If the seller is that desperate, maybe they can get a crazy deal. It is very normal and it is just eBay.

    If you want to avoid that, just set a fixed price (no offer allowed) and put it there. If you put a reasonable price, there will be someone buying it (free to list on eBay nowadays anyway). In fact, that way, you are targeting only buyers really want to buy it and not having some unrealistic expectation.

    Bear in mind that the default eBay settings is trying to target as many buyers as possible (from eBay's point of view, they want the quantity in terms of number of sales, getting you extra $300-$400 by leaving the listing there for extra 3-4 days is not in their best interest). What I normally do is do a research on eBay, find the cheapest completed deal on the same item, and either beat that price or at least match it. I don't bother with auctions or offers. They are waste of time and you often get unpaid buyers (or buyers paying really late with all sorts of interesting excuses).

    You might feel that with such an expensive item, you want as many people looking at it. However, I feel that for such a pricey item, you only want serious buyers who have proper / realistic expectation.

    • JimmyF on 18/01/2015 - 21:38
      -1

      If I'm desperate and willing to accept 20% of what I listed it at, why wouldn't I list it at a MUCH LOWER price in the first place!? ie $1000 item, willing to take $200…. why didn't I just list it at $400?

  • Ughhh on 18/01/2015 - 17:56
    +1

    You'll always get ridiculous and sometimes borderline insulting offers on gumtree, regardless the items worth and how much you list it for. You could list your new iPhone 6 for $100 and you'll still get idiots offering $30 for it. Why, because they can, it doesn't cost anything to send a stupid email and its also sort of like a game, to see if you would really go that low.

    At least with these types of buyer, they kind of filter themselves early from the genuine buyers. I would rather them piss me off via emails before actually agreeing to meet (and being a no-show).

  • PVA on 18/01/2015 - 18:10
    +1

    you are a bit expensive. You say new is $2200 ($2000 plus $200gst) and you are selling your second hand lens for the same price . your second hand item doesnt have gst which was $200 of the new price. (it is second hand cos you are reselling something bought at a shop even if you didnt open the box)
    I think if the item is $2200 at a store new, then second hand $1500 is reasonable.

    sounds strange you cant return it, unless the givers got it at some super price or you are telling the whole story.

    • Wizs on 18/01/2015 - 18:54

      It's brand new in box. Never opened. The ones used for more than 1 year is worth $1600.

    • xuqi on 18/01/2015 - 19:14
      +1

      Professional Canon lenses hold their value very well. This being new and having Australian warranty is even better.

      • GnarlyKnuckles on 18/01/2015 - 19:41
        +1

        "The ones used for more than 1 year is worth $1600."

        "Professional Canon lenses hold their value very well."

        So, is this the same lens that someone ('littlejohnsonbear') sold one of on ebay on 18nov2014 for $1285?
        That one was apparently in 'as new' condition. Or is this one a different type of lens?

        • Wizs on 18/01/2015 - 19:57

          I dont know. It looks like it but the ring is missing the 'II' mark. This really, this one is $1285 including a YN560 speedline which itself is worth another $200. Personally think this is too good to be true

        • cheng2008 on 18/01/2015 - 20:13

          It's the same lens, but it seems that usually they go for $1500-$1600 for a used one. This was probably some guy desperate for cash.

  • Bonsaichop on 18/01/2015 - 18:51
    +1

    It could be worse, we have a small eBay store that deals with vintage computers, video consoles, audio gear, etc, at times we'll get some rare whatnot worth on the going eBay rate over $1-2k so we put it up with a reasonable buy it now price, only get to get offers of $50.. $100.. once someone offered $5 on a $1200 lens.

    They're just time wasters, the best way to curb them is to set an auto decline price, if they don't come up to that offer, you don't see it. Helps the blood pressure too.

    • JimmyF on 18/01/2015 - 21:39
      +1

      Why don't you enable the 'reject' offers below $xyz…. this stops the time wasters!

    • smpantsonfire on 19/01/2015 - 16:12

      How long does it take to sell, if ever it does?

  • Wizs on 18/01/2015 - 18:57

    Why am I not returning? Because that's almost 1 month since bought and the original retailer is not reachable from where I live.

    • FirstNameLastName on 18/01/2015 - 19:55
      +13

      Is the retailer in brisbane?
      I'll buy it and return it for the refund.

      If I don't get the refund.. I'll send my mum in.
      She once talked a door-to-door jehovah into catholism.
      She once talked to a door to door kirby vac salesperson for so long (5+ hours) they said they'd leave the demo model for her to try, but they never came back for it. ('worth' like 4grand or something)

      She's never been on this site, but the OzB is very strong within her.

    • Bonsaichop on 19/01/2015 - 13:06

      That's what I said in my last sentence.. set an auto decline price.

  • chonghe on 18/01/2015 - 20:00

    Every buyer wants the cheapest price
    Kind of psychological, since the price is negotiable (you accept a lower offer)
    say My budget is 1600, then I make offer 1400
    then seller say no
    then buyer-seller finally agree on, e.g. 1500
    if the seller wants money urgently and couldn't find a buyer, then the buyer just catch a bargain.

  • p1 ama on 18/01/2015 - 21:25
    +4

    I'm someone who buys and sells lenses a lot on places like Gumtree. So here is what I really have to say about it.

    Generally, for a "used but in new condition" lens, I know that the market price is around 20% off the brand new price. So e.g. for your Canon 85mm f/1.2L, it's around $2200 brand new, so $1760 would be a fair price. But given that yours is new, you'll probably be looking at around $1800-$1900 as a fair price.

    So if you advertise it at $2000, in my mind, I'm already aiming to get it for $1800, as I always aim for less than what the fair price is. I'll make an offer for $1700, which I expect to be rejected, but hopefully not low enough that you just consider me a waste of time. You'll probably reply no, to which I ask what your best price would be. I'm assuming you would probably say something like $1900, by which time I'll offer $1800, which I expect to be rejected again.

    I know the lens markets well and how long it takes to sell particular things…etc. So about a week later, I'll message you again offering $1800 for a quick sale (i.e. I'll pick it up off you tonight). Most of the time, the seller just wants to get it over and done with so is more than happy to accept my offer of $1800.

    I've made a killing playing the lens game by "buying low, selling high" just simply by being patient when I sell. There are lenses I've had to list for months to sell and often, I've made nice cash on them because I've found someone who needs one urgently.

    However, I'm a photographer, not a lens dealer, so whilst I love a bargain, I buy lenses to use and sell them when I no longer need them, I can afford to be patient because I'm rarely strapped for cash. Profits made are nice, I can use them to get accessories and stuff, but not the primary reason I buy and sell lenses.

    There are people, however, who are hawks on places like Gumtree and prey on unknowledgeable people to grab lenses at low cost and then sell them at a higher price, making a handsome profit whilst doing so. I would say that most of these scum aren't photographers, but simply people who make offers everywhere hoping to get things below their fair value.

    • zeomega on 18/01/2015 - 22:00
      -2

      When i was looking for a particular film body on gumtree, i stumbled upon a jem. I bought random bits of lenses, film bodies, filters (cokin) and flashes. for $50 few years back… cause they didn't know what it's worth.

      Sold most of it off for $400 and got to keep 2 old film bodies + 2 lenses which i still use occasionally. :)

      Love gumtree for rare finds like that.

  • donedeed on 18/01/2015 - 22:36

    I recently sold a van over carsales..
    The price I put it up for was 18k. But I was getting offers for 13k, 14k… Which are just ridiculous to be honest.
    In the end, I was able to sell it for 16k which is something a lot more reasonable.
    But yes you do get thrown some ridiculous offers. Just have to turn them down.

    • JimmyF on 18/01/2015 - 23:37

      haha at least you didn't get offers of $4k! Which is 20% of its value. I swear half these ebay offers are just 'bots' that make offers at 20% of its value hoping someone would accept it so they cash in!

      • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2015 - 09:18

        My experience a bit mixed, I start asking price at $14k, then get offers at $11k, which I sadly rejected.

        Then I stop getting offers, so I lowered the price to $13k, then I get offers at $10k.
        At that time it's been 2-3 months, so I accepted it…

        I think people idea's of 'bargain' is when they bought something lower than its asking price, not value.

        For example, you want to buy a property advertised at $500k, you ask for $450k, and settle at $470k.
        Is that a bargain? It depends, if the property is valued at $400k, then you are screwed.

  • inherentchoice on 19/01/2015 - 03:25
    +2

    I've made low offers on heaps of eBay/Gumtree items because I didn't really want the item except if the price was very low then that would give me an added reason/excuse to purchase.

  • driew on 19/01/2015 - 07:16

    Most of the other posters have said it quite well. Some people are just hoping to catch a bargain from unsuspecting sellers. I generally just ignore these people as it doesn't warrant a response. The most annoying people are those that say they wish to purchase your item but never show up even after rescheduling.

    There are plenty of sellers that are just as bad. Those that are trying to sell their used wares for way more than you can purchase those items brand new. Granted some of them might just be ignorant to the market value of their items.

    It's just human greed. Sellers want the highest price and buyers want the lowest. If you're lucky, you'll find those that are willing to meet somewhere in the middle.

  • dsm ninja on 19/01/2015 - 09:08

    Its called fishing

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2015 - 09:15

    I have the same experience with cheaper lens, worth $130 on grey imports, and they make offer like $69…

    They really should 69 themselves…

    It's not bargain tactic or whatever, it's just dumb people…

    But, if you go overseas to China or Indonesia, then you have to bargain like crazy, if asking price is $5, ask for 50 cents, and settle at $1.

  • DealzEddy123 on 19/01/2015 - 10:00

    to be honest, your lens is only worth as much as you're willing to let it go for.
    some people just want to make a quick sale and rather $1.2k now than wait around for a decent offer.

    they got nothing to lose and everything to gain by throwing wild offers.

  • mousie on 19/01/2015 - 10:19
    +2

    1.2k is not an unreasonable offer for a 2k lens.

    • ronnknee on 19/01/2015 - 12:16

      Are you willing to sell a brand new lens market valued at 2k for 1.2k?

      • mousie on 19/01/2015 - 15:23
        +1

        If I 'gave' someone a 2k lens and then they sold it I would crack the ——- and ask for the money back.
        The level of risk is on the buyer - not the seller here. That risk at a 30% perceived loss is reasonable to me for electronics. If it was something like just a chunk of gold, I would expect something closer to market value.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/01/2015 - 11:23
    +2

    Low offers are not necessarily unreasonable, it's just the difference from what they want to spend compared to what you want in return. People always want a bargain, thus why this website exists.

    For 10% difference, myself I'd just buy brand new from a shop ensuring warranty and item is legit. Not worth the little saving to potentially get an incorrect, faulty, grey import or stolen item, or a potential phony receipt.

  • 2pro4sho on 19/01/2015 - 11:47
    +2

    I wouldn't sell items of that value on eBay. Too risky, too high fees. Gumtree (cash on pickup) is the way to go. Just say firm price x amount.

    • meantolive on 19/01/2015 - 15:09

      You've made a good point. But there are arguments against Gumtree as well.
      Firstly, in my selling experience, Gumtree is mainly used by people whom wants a real good bargain. Don't expect a lot of offers, if you do, most will be lowball offers.

      Secondly, eBay has some security. When you "sell" it, you actually sell it. Money comes in then you act upon it (post or meet up)
      On the other hand, when you "sell" on Gumtree. You organise a meet up point etc. But there is always the risk of the person bailing on you last minute thus wasting your time and effort. (This has happened plenty of times to me on Gumtree, they don't pick up their phones when you call…)

      Thirdly, you have to look at the buyers point of view. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Gumtree doesn't have buyers protection. My friend purchased a guitar from Gumtree and realised it was an replica a few days later. He contacted paypal but they told him he couldn't get his money back for a reason I forgot. That was about 2 years ago so things may have changed since.

      • 2pro4sho on 19/01/2015 - 15:19

        Gumtree is just a trading post. It is mainly used for cash on pickup, whereby the buyer comes to your house. What's the risk they don't show up? I've sold plenty of expensive items via Gumtree. 2 weeks ago I sold a 3 yr old 55" TV for $800. On the other hand, eBay is heavily skewed in the buyers favour. There is very very little protection for sellers. Any buyer can lodge a paypal dispute and send an item back saying it was faulty or not as described (and then they can send something different back). I have been using eBay since 2004, have sold about 40k of stuff, rarely things over $300. I've had several buyers on eBay try to scam me (some successful), however as most of the things are <$100 it's not the end of the world. I've only ever sold a few expensive items (>$300) on eBay and they were either cash on pickup or bank transfer (never paypal).

        • meantolive on 19/01/2015 - 15:37

          There is no risk. It's just a waste of your time and effort as I mentioned above. You liaise with them, plan things around their alleged pick up timing, tell other potential buyers that it has been reserved. When the day comes, they don't show up and don't pick up their phone.

          If you don't mind sharing, may I ask what was the original price of the TV?

          Sorry to hear you'd been scammed on eBay before. Never thought people would go to that extent. Now I've gotta be weary as well. haha

        • 2pro4sho on 19/01/2015 - 16:35

          @meantolive:
          It was a 55" led 3D LG. Paid $1300 on special. People like haggling on Gumtree so put it up for $950. Week later sold for $800, no fuss lol. A lot of people have no idea how cheap tvs are when they go on special. I've sold quite a big items for decent money on Gumtree. Not worth it for the small stuff though

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 19/01/2015 - 16:37
    +2

    There's also "Canon Cashback" and store discounts to consider. A couple of months ago, Canon were offering up to $400 cashback (if you bought two items), and if you bought them at JB you got a further 15% off after that. So a 2K item became <$1500. Unfortunately JB aren't currently selling your lens, so I can't calculate what that sort of cashback/discounting would've brought it down to. But the fact that Canon routinely discount their lenses pretty heavily (I see posts featuring Canon lenses discounted by 30% or more here on OzB now and then), and offer hundreds of dollars 'cashback' is going to affect the price you can get as a private seller offering something 'as new' (BNIB).

  • itbargainhunter on 19/01/2015 - 17:57

    Simple Economics really. It is like fishing.

    There is no "cost" associate to make a ridiculously low offer. Not even "Social Cost" if the offer was made via internet and the sell doesn't know the buyer.

    But the return is high if the seller is desperate.

  • berger on 19/01/2015 - 20:39

    I sell expensive items on eBay, and it's not uncommon I get silly offers, I have a $2200 item at the moment and get $800 offers, I have another item over $10k and received an offer of 1/10th the value.

    If your selling an item at 2k, your selling at $1750, after fees and value of your time. If you accept an offer of $1800, your close to $1600.. If the $1200 offer was sent as a message for cash outside ebay, it's not that far from your price.

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