You asked $400, he offered $300, tell him you'll take $395 if he'll buy the beers!
Lowballing prices
- Thread starter desi2960
- Start date
Not real sure why you posted the question you did sir. It seems you're looking for validation on your choosing to be insulted by a 75% offer.
Your analogy of a boss telling you he'll only pay you 75% for next week isn't a valid comparison. You got hired at a specific rate. That was already set. Now, they're changing the deal after the fact. That's not the case in what you're doing. You have an item. That item is for sale. That price may be negotiable.
When going to pool trade shows, or gun shows, this happens at just about every booth. Very few items are sold for a specified price on the tag.
If the offer is too low, then you let them know you can't go that low for the item. You can say your $400 dollar cue is a firm price, and you won't go any lower. Or, you can see if you wish to purchase it for perhaps $375, but no lower. It's called bartering.
Best of luck with the sale sir.
My $.02
Isn't it odd that this concept has to be explained to the owner of a pawn shop?
I think any of us who have sold a few cues (or more) have felt a little insulted when someone makes us an offer that is ridiculously low for a particular cue.
With that said, "ridiculously low" can be subjective to some and plain ignorance can be in play for certain prospective buyers who may be clueless as to the value.
For a cuemaker who actually spun the wood in his lathe and did everything else to make it into a cue, they may feel the sting of a low offer a little more since they did all of the work.
As sellers, we always have the right to say no and, to be honest, it feels a little sweet sometimes when you get a "ridiculously low" offer and say no thanks then soon after, a reasonable buyer steps up to say 'I'll take it'.
Yes, justice... :thumbup:
Bottom line is have good merchandise, price it fairly; it will sell.
imo
best,
brian kc
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This is just my opinion but 98% of people probably don't really need a cue to play
with. Most already have 1 or 2. I see cues in the for sale section every day that I
like but since I don't need one I'm not going to pay the price they ask for them. I bought
a cue the other day but only because it was dirt cheap. It been sitting in the case
since I bought it.
My point is the buyer probably doesn't need a cue but for the right price they may
be interested. I understand that a cuemaker has time and money invested in making
a cue any only they can decide if the profit in the offer is worth it
with. Most already have 1 or 2. I see cues in the for sale section every day that I
like but since I don't need one I'm not going to pay the price they ask for them. I bought
a cue the other day but only because it was dirt cheap. It been sitting in the case
since I bought it.
My point is the buyer probably doesn't need a cue but for the right price they may
be interested. I understand that a cuemaker has time and money invested in making
a cue any only they can decide if the profit in the offer is worth it
I love your work, Chuck. However, your asking prices are high enough that people are going to swing lower.
I have an unchalked, brand new, ebony Titlist conversion from a well-regarded builder that won't sell for $1500 cash.
Things are only worth what people will pay for them. If someone offers a price that you don't want to accept, just decline it.
Well said
Also it would be different if it wasn't an internet sale for multiple cues.
Similar to secondary market sales.
Nobody is going to order a custom cue directly from a local cuemaker, and when it's done, offer 25% less.
When anybody posts multiple cues for sale on AZ Billiards, craftsman or not, it becomes a secondary market situation.
He is lucky someone hasn't offered the used $250 Jacoby or Pechauer cue in trade with no cash added, like I get all the time.
Just say no, but 75% is getting close these days.
Meet in the middle and typically you've got a deal.
If not the buyer wasn't that serious, or doesn't really want the cue.
I am the guilty party and would like to explain my offer. I am a BCA certified instructor who works mostly with seniors and a recent inductee into the New England Billiard Hall of Fame. I do not charge seniors and veterans on Saturdays at a local poolroom. One of my pupils received a present from his wife for a gift of $150.00 to buy a cue stick. He asked me to recommend what to buy and I told him, at that price nothing. He then told me he could add another $150., so I told him I would search AZ for a cue. I was looking for a sneaky Pete and came across Mr Starky's cue and explained the situation to him the reason for my offer of $300.00. I am sorry he took it so bad, my intension was trying to help someone and not belittle or put down Mr. Starky. It was done keeping the xmas spirit for someone who couldn't afford to buy a more expensive cue. Larry
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You did nothing wrong. You were trying to sell a cue for him, and find a nice cue for your student, and you were making nothing on it as the middle man. He should have been honored that you thought enough of his cues to seek you out, even if you couldn't agree on a suitable price to satisfy you both.
If he did not want to accept your offer, he should have just politely told you so, and he should have counter offered with the very least he had to get for his cue, even if it was the full $400 price. Sadly, he is the one that has come out of this looking out of line, and hopefully he will have learned from this to better handle the situation next time.
Personally I don't see any need to apologize. I'll add that I also applaud your work with seniors and vets. That's a great service you're providing - thank you.
You are great to deal with and if not for you my picture taking would still be struggling.
You helped me quite a bit
Happy New Year
Peace
Ted
You don't get kissed if you don't lean in! and it don't hurt to ask.
Actually, that's gross profit. Then you have to factor in your overhead such as equipment, building lease/payment, utilities, salary, etc.. The net profit is the only one that really matters as that is the one you get to put in your pocket.
So, we have yet another "special" rule that only applies to billiards some how. Negotiation for new items, from homes, to cars, to guns, to many goods and service have been haggled over for generations, heck, for centuries, but not it's strictly verboten in the billiards world? I wish someone would right down all these rules so folks won't get so easily offended.
I agree. Its reminds me of homeowners hugging their house when they sell. I had a couple that would not look me in the eye at a closing because they were losing money on their house. Like it was my fault or something. Either accept the offer or say no. No reason to take it personal. There are tons of cuemakers cranking out cues these days and only so many buyers in the cue game. We just trade the same cues back and forth while the market keeps getting flooded with new ones.
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Larry733
After giving this some thought, and a few saying what a nice guy you were and you telling us what a nice guy you were with all hour volunteer work.
Instead of trying to take a 100 out of my pocket, why did you not take a 100 out of your pocket and help this guy get a cue?
After giving this some thought, and a few saying what a nice guy you were and you telling us what a nice guy you were with all hour volunteer work.
Instead of trying to take a 100 out of my pocket, why did you not take a 100 out of your pocket and help this guy get a cue?
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Larry is a dear and close friend of mine and we have been sparring partners on the pool table every week for years. He will be 91 in a few months and he still has a better stroke than most guys I know half his age.
Larry has dedicated himself to helping seniors and veterans by providing free lessons and equipment advice and he has even organized leagues for them. Also, he works with youth league players helping them with their games while trying to keep interest alive in our sport.
Your suggestion that maybe he should have taken the $100 out of his pocket rather than try to get it from your pocket seems a little short-sighted to me. He already gives quite a lot of himself.
After he explained his situation to you, what he was trying to do for his student, all you had to say was yes, that will be fine or sorry, no thanks. Why post a thread about it?
Did you feel it was so egregious?
best,
brian kc
Isn't it odd it has to be explained to anyone over the age of 14? LOL