Craigslist question

[Poddi]

I've been wondering about this. Every time I list something on Craigslist I get tons of low-ball offers. There's almost not even once that someone offered to buy without at least some haggling, even for a $10 item. Sometimes they don't talk about the price, until you meet them and they're ready to pay, then they talk it down right in front of you. If you don't agree then you've wasted all the time driving to meet them. Is it part of the Craigslist culture or something? I wonder if I should have listed my stuff 20% higher than what I consider a fair price, to allow for bargain room. I suspect there are loads of people buying stiff cheap off Craigslist and resell them.

Sometimes I think Ebay is a much more reasonable place to sell.

[Arianwen1174]

Yep, you got it! DH and I have dealt with all of this over and over. Just yesterday he sold an office chair and the guy got here and then said all he had was $25. Sooo common for them to show up and ask if we'll take less. Or talk DH or me down beforehand. At first it was really frustrating but eventually I realized that's the way it is with CL. If we really need a certain price, we list an item for a bit more or specify in the ad that the price is firm. I figure if someone drives out to see us (we're out of the way for many folks) without haggling beforehand, we have the right to say "Sorry, we really need the whole amount." DH hasn't been bold enough to say that yet but I think about it, lol.

That said, I do think CL serves a great purpose, especially for things that aren't easily sold on Ebay (larger items, for example).

[HappyMommy2]

Yes- I always add cushion to my prices. I like to bargain people down too ... so I guess it goes with the territory!

[SoulCakes]

Craigslist is a culture. It costs nothing for people to enter the market and ask for lower prices. I do it, too. But one thing I never do is go to the buyer - the buyer has to come to me. I'm not going to waste my time bringing an item to someone if they aren't definitely going to buy it, especially for less than the offered price. Most people haggle over email rather than in person, though, which is nice.

I got my couch for $300 less than asking price from haggling. I sold a different couch for $200 less than asking. It's just part of the deal. Your idea of raising your prices to allow for this is a good one, or simply post $Whatever price, FIRM, so people know not to haggle.

[mattemma04]

I guess I am a goof because I pay what is asked,and always seem to sell things lower than others.

I want to post big stuff this summer like a playhouse,wagon,slide.They will all be lower than the prices I currently see,but I expect some low balling since I am going to ask for higher amounts than normal.

So I guess because I sell so cheap I never get lower offers.Would be pretty annoyed if someone tried that.

[candipooh]

I just put "price is FIRM, no haggling" in the add.

[mouso]

It's kind of like a garage sale, it seems. I always think someone may haggle when I'm the seller and I may haggle a bit if I think it's overpriced once I see it.
But if it's worth the price I'll pay it. A lot of the time the listing will say OBO, though, so I figure they expect it.

If you write FIRM after the price people should *maybe* not try it.

[Cascadian]

Yeah, I always put either OBO (or better offer if I'm willing to take less and just want the item out of the house; I do list higher in this case) OR 'Price is FIRM' otherwise. In some instances, because people would show up after reading about the firm price and try to bargain I'd politely tell them sorry, there are many people who emailed me and are willing to pay full price. They usually recant and pony it up

[MissMaegie'sMama]

Originally Posted by candipooh

I just put "price is FIRM, no haggling" in the add.

Me too. If the item doesn't sell at that price, I'll relist it at a lower price.

I've had pretty good luck selling on CL (and buying, too). I've only had a few low-ball offers on all the stuff I've listed. It might be a regional thing. I live in a fairly affluent university city, so that may play a part in not getting many low-ball offers. Also, a lot of the CLers here are reduce/reuse/recycle focused rather than purely budget-minded.

[ssh]

I think this differs from one community to another. I've never had any problems with this where I live. The buyers always expect to come to where the item is and pay what's asked. My older DD, while living in CA, often had this problem and lots of people expected her to bring the item to them and then offered her much less money.

[texmati]

I am always respectful (I think) but I love haggling (both as a buyer and seller)! I think it's part of the garage sale/craigslist experience. I'm not saying that you should inflate your price-- but I don't think that it's rude for someone to ask "would you take any less?"

I don't ask if it says "price is firm", but then I'd be less likely to purchase that item.

[odenata]

I've gotten my asking price on lots of things that were in demand. On other things, I'm happy to haggle through email, but the price is set once pick up is scheduled. I will not haggle once they are picking it up.

[Cascadian]

Originally Posted by odenata

I've gotten my asking price on lots of things that were in demand.

Me too! Especially expensive kid stuff, like strollers, outdoor play equipment, baby gates, good cribs. I don't see any reason to not try to get some money back for what you invested in. I've had people offering OVER my asking price for some stuff to beat the crowd because they can't make it to my place until later.

Unless I'm feeling charitable (which I have on occasion, for single moms, etc.), I do stick to my guns, and most people respect that.

Then there's a whole other subculture of people giving me a story with their emails hoping that I'll lower the price for their special situation. I do sometimes.

[Sol_y_Paz]

This doesn't happen with my husband's listings, but it has to me.

[annettemarie]

Moving to Frugality and Finances

[FeelingBlessed]

I have actually been surprised no buyer has ever tried to negotiate with us, whether we are selling a low ticket item like a bed rail or higher priced item like a Britax car seat. Always expect it, but has never happened (and our listings never mentioned "firm price" or OBO). Recently we listed an item for$18, and the buyer just handed me a $20 and went to leave (at which point I offered him $2 in change).

Curious if this is regional (we are in New England), or just luck of the draw.

[Kristine233]

Yup, pretty common. Right now we have an Aluminum Macbook for sale on craigslist listed for $1000 (bought new for $1299 and we're including some extras) and got one offer of $200 + a gift certficiate for another $150. So, $350 total? I mean, really? lol. So some are just crazy low! I mean, we expected some haggling, but some offers are just insane, lol.

[texmati]

It could be how much you are asking for the items. I normally expect things to be about half price used.