Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Non-Petro Discussions Non-petro Discussion and Showcase Sick and Tired

The magic button...

Reply to the guy that offered 1/2 or the least you'll take, tell them you decided to use it as a cover over Septic Tank!

Guy at swap meet asks me whats the bottom dollar on an item?

I reply "$100"

He asks me if $90 will buy it.

I reply "ive already answered that question"

I had a sign Clearly marked at a Gas Bash, #^%$$# picks up the sign, looks it over on both side then asks what I want for sign. I replied, evidently you can't afford it, put it back on table.

All I can say is i have over payed and under payed before,and if i am happy and the seller is happy that is all that matters. that is my two cents.

Now here is where I want to hear from several sides:

1. on a $100 value item WITHOUT a price, how much is a FAIR offer? whats the percentage of value that's considered fair?

If I see an item I like,and it's priced higher then I will pay,I politely ask the seller,"Are you firm on that price?"

If he says yes,I politely walk.
If he says no,I make a counter offer.

Simple,& no one gets insulted or disrespected..

It seems no one wants to say what they would do when they find someone who really doesn't know what they have;apickers dream.That's a good question,what is a fair offer when the seller really doesn't know what it is worth.

The only time I have personally seen that situation come up is when someone (man or woman,I've dealt with both)is cleaning out an old shop or garage of someone no longer with us.I have never been to a swap meet,flea market or normal garage sale where things were not priced.

What I have done in the past is just tell them,"at full retail it's worth about $100 if you want to consign it to an antique store or throw it at ebay and go through the hassles and pay them a percentage.Or I'll give you $75 for it right now.I do it that way so that I can have a shot at whatever else they find in there.LOw ball them once,and if they ever find out about it,you may well be history on better things to come.

It has worked for me in the past.When a deal is good enough,don't beat them up or take advantage of their ignorance;it may well cost you in the end.Word gets around.

Ive done shows for alot of years now...
Lots of people ask whats my best price...
Some items I'll budge a little more than others!
I sell ALOT(majority) of my signs etc for a little less than price on tag!
Ive been rude and LOST great buyers and been polite and have lifetime buyers...
Ive learned that simply naming my best price (when asked)with a smile is ALWAYS best!!! They might walk away to shop around BUT usually come back and buy it!
Good Luck!

I had someone with a 48" Flying A sign saying she thinks it should be worth $300. I handed her $1200 and took it. It was well worth it and made the women very happy. We both got a deal.

Rick, Your NOT a Picker! & you bought it for your collection.