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Is Not Responding To An Offer Just Plain Rude?

Think about it in the context of a BUYER using the Audiogon system - 

1 - “Lowballers will be politely ignored.

What constitutes a lowball offer? Is there a percentage of the asking price below which the offer becomes a “lowball”? If so, what is it? 90%? 75%? ….Is it connected to or disconnected from the length of time the ad has been running?

2 - When the only option is “Make an Offer”.

What am I supposed to do here? Am I supposed to offer more than the asking price? Less than the asking price? If less is OK, then refer to point 1 above.

3 - When the only option is “Make an Offer” and the ad says “price is firm”

What the heck am I supposed to do with that one?

If you’re listing an item with the option of “Make an Offer”, wouldn’t it just be courteous to give the benefit of the doubt to the person submitting the offer, assume he or she is a serious buyer and not a tire-kicker, and just reply one way or the other, in a timely fashion? I mean, there’s nothing lost, right? Just say “NO”. Or make a counteroffer….what’s so difficult?

I just sold a nice preamp to a gentleman who made an offer on it, it arrived with the buyer safely and he’s thrilled with it. So now I have wires hanging loose in my system where a preamp used to be, and it’s almost the Holidays. I found a suitable replacement on Audiogon in the $7K range, made an offer within 10% +/- of the asking price, and…drum roll….….nothing. 

I sat around all weekend waiting for the seller to respond, but they didn’t have the decency to just message me and say no. So I was stuck with the “Seller has 48hrs to review your offer” BS, now I’m back to square one and without the means to play my favorite Kenny G Christmas albums. 

One bandaid fix would be for Audiogon to adopt the ebay system and allow sellers to automatically decline offers below a certain amount. Then they wouldn’t even have to interact with us lowballers and their delicate sensibilities wouldn’t get hurt…..heck, I’d even take a photo of me wearing a mask as I press the ’Submit Offer’ button, if this is a Covid thang…

Whinge over…

Merry Christmas :)



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millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
You've got way too much emotionally invested. Its a business transaction. Its a negotiation in a business transaction. There's a lot of lessons learned over the years. The one applies here is, "He who wants it most never gets the best price." The mistake you made is not knowing ahead of time just how much you want it. 

If you know you want it a lot then you would just pay full price and be happy to get it. If not then you offer whatever price makes you indifferent. What that means is, if you get it at that price you'll be okay with it. But if not you will be okay with that too. 

How fast a seller responds has no bearing on any of this. Where it comes into play is later on. Because if the seller is lax responding he may well be lax in shipping, packaging, questions, returns, everything.  

Please note this is completely 180 degrees opposite to the way you are looking at things now. Your way you are helplessly asking what are you supposed to do. My way you only do what you want anyway and don't even really care what the seller does. My way if he replies and sells its a pleasant surprise. But if not? That's fine too. 
mike_in_nc
1,121 posts
 
When I’m selling, I respond to all offers. That doesn’t mean I counter or accept them. Some, I just say, "No, thanks."

I think it’s better business practice to respond promptly to anyone who bothers to send an offer. I’ll go further, I find it rude not to respond. But we are living in a time when rudeness is common, even celebrated in some circles.
sgordon1
407 posts
 
First, don't take any non-response personally!
It is not necessarily about you, or the details of any
potential transaction.

You don't know anything about the seller, their
personality or communication style, or their
pandemic-related challenges.

Audio sales and purchases are not exactly like arranging for
a rental car at the airport, correct?

Did you ever look in the mirror and wonder
why everyone is not like you, or think the way you 
think?  (Didn't accomplish much, did it?)
tablejockey
3,774 posts
 
A "lowball" offer is an what the seller determines to be "lowball". I've ignored such warnings in an ad, submitted what I want to pay. The offer always includes a detailed explanation as to why I feel my offer is justified. It worked on one occasion. The other times the seller whines about how it's "unique,flawless, blah, blah, blah-whatever.

As a buyer, I just cast a wide net to find the deal I want.Submit an offer, don't hold your breath. Move on and look for another listing. There's always something better that pops up eventually.

"now I’m back to square one and without the means to play my favorite Kenny G Christmas albums."
That may be a blessing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPPCPqDINEk

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