The Art of the Deal: Is it dead?

I like dealing face to face when negotiating a deal. When it's online via msg or text I just don't like it, that's it. If I am buying online I would prefer to just know what you want for it without a haggle. Don't care for the make an offer, wait for a response, reply etc. that method is just inefficient.

Hand Skills said:

I see both sides of it - personally I NEVER write OBO in an add. Borderline superstitious, but I 'think' it cuts down on tire kickers and low ballers.

Sometimes I go the other way and put 'firm' after the price - letting prospective buyers know that the price is the price.

Generally when I want to sell something, I'll price it to move. Yes, I'm leaving money on the table, but how much time am I saving when the first respondent says 'ill take it, ship to this address'

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I'm with ya there. You know what I've found actually goes a long way as well? Putting it right in the add that I'll split shipping costs with the buyer…might not seem like a big deal but I've actually noticed it helps, and it's no different than coming down a little bit on your asking price. But I don't do that OBO nonsense either haha, often times people do make an offer anyways and if it's reasonable I'm all ears. But for many people I've sold stuff too it seemed like my splitting shipping costs must have felt like meeting them halfway on something, which most folks appreciate, especially in Canada with its friggin expensive postage rates.

I'll admit to being offended multiple times, when I'm offering a price that guarantees me a loss and get the chicken**** texts that ask or insinuate lower. Or "bottom dollar".
I buy direct from manufacturers when it's sensible, or known and trusted retailers in the business for the long haul. They will likely take care of issues due to product quality or workmanship. Important to Me.
If not available I look to individuals. I pay prices fair to both sides, it's not too much to ask to sell the same way.
When these lowballers come along it makes me think someone may possibly want to resell an item I'm selling, and that's their right or opportunity whatever you want to call it. It's just not my intention when putting a product on the market.
I realize "fair" is open to interpretation. My conscientious operates like it should from both sides of the deal.

I should also mention that haggling was also a way to offer help to a family that you know is struggling financially in your neighborhood or church members with out having to insult their pride.
Like boy John you sure know how to haggle you kinda got me over the barrel on this deal.
Both knowing it's was more Charity then anything.
But again that's a generational thing when people actually knew their neighbors and cared about them.

In 1975 I was 15 with my family in Arkansas on vacation . I saw a 1955 Chevy PU for sale , the guy wanted $600 and all I had was $500 .
I motioned dad around the back of the truck and said Let's offer him $500 , dad got indignant and refused , said it was an insult .
The guy heard it all , come over and shook my hand said sold , $500 . Then looked at dad and said , Smart kid , and left it at that .
After that , whenever dad wanted something , I was the designated negotiator . I have been very lucky , just never get emotional about it .
Seems to me most people are trying to sell sentimental value and don't have a clue what stuff is worth . I low ball everyone , if they get mad , oh well , no sale .

Nobody has an extra cash right now. Pretty hard to "deal" when everyone is buying groceries.

Plenty of really good deals out there right now that would have sold in past years.

Every supplier is having crazy deals too.... look at the recent defiance 40% off sale.

CRJR45 said:

In 1975 I was 15 with my family in Arkansas on vacation . I saw a 1955 Chevy PU for sale , the guy wanted $600 and all I had was $500 .
I motioned dad around the back of the truck and said Let's offer him $500 , dad got indignant and refused , said it was an insult .
The guy heard it all , come over and shook my hand said sold , $500 . Then looked at dad and said , Smart kid , and left it at that .
After that , whenever dad wanted something , I was the designated negotiator . I have been very lucky , just never get emotional about it .
Seems to me most people are trying to sell sentimental value and don't have a clue what stuff is worth . I low ball everyone , if they get mad , oh well , no sale .

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I don't think $500 down from $600 is bad. $400 might have gotten close. I don't have a hard rule, but to me an offer of ~15-20% less than asking is an OK place to start negotiations, and when I make offers like that I usually expect a counter. So that's not a lowball in my book. $400 would have been awfully close but not really uncalled for, per se. But at $300 I would have laughed as the seller probably lol. Not saying I wouldn't counter, but I would have laughed first for sure lol.

nwmnbowhunter said:

Nobody has an extra cash right now. Pretty hard to "deal" when everyone is buying groceries.

Plenty of really good deals out there right now that would have sold in past years.

Every supplier is having crazy deals too.... look at the recent defiance 40% off sale.

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This is an excellent point, LOTS of things are sitting that would have probably sold relatively quickly in the past. Just a sign of the times and a reflection of the economy. For Defiance I think it's more about clearing out old stock to make room for their new branding as I don't think their prices will go down with new stock. But I bet in better times a 25% off would have moved quite a bit whereas now it takes 40%.

All I can say is it appears most of the posters here have not been out of the USA. Many of the countries I have visited/lived in during my 23 years in the military, the culture is to negotiate....it is a fun thing that is expected.
In a number of the second and third world countries you start at 50% less, listen to them cry, they then come down 10-15%, you groan (or start to walk away) and they come down another 10-15%. You buy it, they still probably made 20% over costs and you got it for 20-30% less then the initial price....Both are winners.
OTOH, when I was out with my spouse and she saw something she wanted (can you spell jewlery?) she would just say 'I love it'. The salesperson knew I was sc----ed and I would have to pay the first price.

epags said:

All I can say is it appears most of the posters here have not been out of the USA. Many of the countries I have visited/lived in during my 23 years in the military, the culture is to negotiate....it is a fun thing that is expected.
In a number of the second and third world countries you start at 50% less, listen to them cry, they then come down 10-15%, you groan (or start to walk away) and they come down another 10-15%. You buy it, they still probably made 20% over costs and you got it for 20-30% less then the initial price....Both are winners.
OTOH, when I was out with my spouse and she saw something she wanted (can you spell jewlery?) she would just say 'I love it'. The salesperson knew I was sc----ed and I would have to pay the first price.

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I've never had the luxury to go out of country but from what I've read it's almost an insult if you don't haggle. But that's just from reading books that are probably not up to date so what do I know .

Love to haggle here.

The other side of that is I have lost out on some items trying to nickel and dime. One was tough. a stock for an old sako I had been looking for. I just should have said I'll take it. These days I only buy stuff in classifieds I cant find elsewhere or it's a fair deal. I'm not going to sweat a few bucks if the price is fair and I need it.

epags said:

All I can say is it appears most of the posters here have not been out of the USA. Many of the countries I have visited/lived in during my 23 years in the military, the culture is to negotiate....it is a fun thing that is expected.
In a number of the second and third world countries you start at 50% less, listen to them cry, they then come down 10-15%, you groan (or start to walk away) and they come down another 10-15%. You buy it, they still probably made 20% over costs and you got it for 20-30% less then the initial price....Both are winners.
OTOH, when I was out with my spouse and she saw something she wanted (can you spell jewlery?) she would just say 'I love it'. The salesperson knew I was sc----ed and I would have to pay the first price.

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I have been in the open markets in Germany, France, Belgum and Holland. They were fun.

Right now you just gotta stand your ground. I'm the last person to not make a deal over a few bucks but I'm not giving stuff away either. I recently made a deal where I took a partial payment to hold an item. Honestly I was completely fine with it. I'm going to start offering that on pricier stuff.

Ol' Red said:

I have been in the open markets in Germany, France, Belgum and Holland. They were fun.

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When I was in S Korea a sweet old lady that I was buying a blanket from started yelling at me. Another guy who was stationed there came over and said she was upset because I didn't haggle over the price!