OK, I am going to bring up a touch subject

[megoapesnut]

Just because I have run into it a few times recently. It's something I have run across frequently, although not much here at the Museum.

I'd like to hear everyone's opinion on who should throw the first number out in a sale. Buyer or seller?

And by that I mean situations where a seller has things for sale, and maybe even hard to find stuff, and they tell you they are selling it, but they do not give you a price they want for it. They want you to make an offer. Now I know why they do it. They don't want to float a number out and have a buyer take it, never knowing if the buyer would have been willing to pay more, maybe much more. The buyer, of course, doesn't want to throw out a number in case they do and the seller accepts it but might have accepted less, maybe a lot less.

What is your opinion? There is no right or wrong as far as I am concerned, just opinions and how you work deals. I personally feel it is the seller's responsibility to come up with a price they want to sell for and clearly state it. Then they can negotiate if they so desire. But to tell a group of people that you have something for sale and then ask for offers, leans too much towards an auction to me. And (again in my opinion), if you want to do that, then list it on ebay.

[sauce]

I always want to hear a number from the seller. If I know that seller has experience with a particular item for sale, then even more so. I don't care if the number is super high. I'll ask for "wiggle room" or offer trades if that makes it work. Yeah, the seller always wants the most money for an item, but I agree that only hearing best offers doesn't give me a chance to really fight for something that I want in a way that feels good in a community. On eBay, whatever. It's all a rat race. Here, I'd prefer to have a straightforward negotiation.

[rche]

I personally think the seller should start the process. Even if you are not sure what an item is worth, you can always ask around a bit with folks that trade in whatever you are wanting to sell to get a feel for the value. If you want it to sell fast, price it down a bit. If you want to get premium for it, set the price high and hold steady or negotiate if you want from there.

Now, saying that, I have had a few things that I have tried the price and negotiate plan on just sit..... for ever.

Also want to add that the same problems seem to hold true for trades as well as sales. It is often hard to decide what should go for what in a trade, especially if the traders have vastly differing values on the items they want to swap. But, for those that enjoy the wheedleing and deedleing of it, I suppose it is fun.

[palitoy]

I don't see it as a touchy subject personally, I prefer when the seller has a price. If they say "Make me an offer" I worry about being insulting, it really does make me nervous.

[toys2cool]

I don't see it as a touchy subject personally, I prefer when the seller has a price. If they say "Make me an offer" I worry about being insulting, it really does make me nervous.

yeah i agree

[megoapesnut]

I don't see it as a touchy subject personally, I prefer when the seller has a price. If they say "Make me an offer" I worry about being insulting, it really does make me nervous.

That's EXACTLY how I feel. I am always worried about making an offer and the seller getting offended and then I am out of the running. Many times I have wanted an item but not had a good idea what it was really worth.

And I DID mean to title this thread "touchy" subject in stead of "touch". Forgot to proofread the title before posting. Dulp!

[vulcan2074]

I prefer the seller to state a price. Reason being It lets me know where they stand and it makes the process a whole lot easier.
Sammy

[wilbs518]

I prefer the seller to state a price. Reason being It lets me know where they stand and it makes the process a whole lot easier

Ditto.

[Meule]

I don't see it as a touchy subject personally, I prefer when the seller has a price. If they say "Make me an offer" I worry about being insulting, it really does make me nervous.

Exactly. Years ago I once had a seller practically explode on me cause my offer was insulting to him. Ever since I try to avoid it as much as I can.

[Toy Talk]

The seller should state a price, of course that is just my opinion. However, if an item is up for sale logic says there should be a price attached; that is unless the sale is an auction. For me personally, I tend to pass on "make an offer" sales just for fear of offending the seller.

[cjefferys]

I usually completely disregard an item being sold without a price, and a "make me an offer" instead, unless it's something I really want. Don't be coy and play games, it's not hard to come up with a price and state it. Even a too high price along with a "or best offer" at least gives you some benchmark to negotiate with.

I agree with rche that trades are much more tricky. It's usually easy for a collector to overestimate the value/condition of his piece while underestimating the value/condition of the piece he wants. But I do miss the day long comic/toy trading sessions I used to have when my cousins visited, those were fun.

[megoat]

If the item is something that the seller is actively and aggressively attempting to sell, then yes, they should name the price.

However, if the item is something the seller could just as easily keep in his collection or is not in a hurry to sell at all, then I see nothing wrong with "taking offers"....

[ScottA]

I personally would rather the seller state a price.

[bizzaro megomauler]

Seller

In all of my threads i always state that I am negotiable, and put an asking price. If someone thinks it's high they can shoot me an offer which I can accept, or decline. besides, I like when people buy a few things, and usually can knock a few bucks off here and there. But If I am Firm on something, I can most likely make room somewhere else in the sale when they do

[Random Axe]

If the seller is too dam lazy to post a price or thinks he/she is being clever by trying to get the most out of their piece, then I just move on. They can't be insulted by offers if they do not list their wanted price.

Whenever I putsomething up for sale, which is rare, I always put out a price that's fair to myself and the buyer. I have no delusions about the value. If I need money, I list a price that usually seals the deal. I run a 4.5 million dollar shoe store, so I know it's all about having what the consumer wants. A fair price makes it irresistable Making people guess is a complete waste of time. GO to Ebay and stop taking up MM bandwidth.

Scott