Post a Price..or "Make an Offer?"

nat · #1 04-05-2016, 10:31 AM

"Make an Offer" posts can be seen as "WTB" posts. Consider: a post like the following would be unobjectionable:

WTB: 1966 Don Drysdale

I'm looking for a 1966 Drysdale, but I'm on a pretty tight budget. I could go up to, say, $20. So whoever can offer me the best-condition 1966 Drysdale for $20 gets my money. Let me know!

Now, basically, "Make an Offer" posts are doing the same thing, but in reverse. Basically, they're saying:

WTB: Money

I'm looking for money, but I'm on a pretty tight budget. What I can pay for money is a 1966 Don Drysdale. Condition of the money is unimportant, but I am interested in quantity. So whoever can offer me the most money gets my 1966 Drysdale. Let me know!

While that's meant to be silly, it's also true. On the other hand, making an offer to sell or to buy involves the risk of proposing something insultingly high- or low-ball. (Or at least that will be taken to be insulting.) And proposing something insulting doesn't feel very good. The psychological effect of this is mitigated when the sale offer is insultingly high, because it simply prevents any interaction at all between seller and (prospective) buyer. The post simply doesn't get any response. But with a make-an-offer the prospective buyer needs to do something that may end up being gauche - the seller's response may be "come on, get serious" - and there's a sort of embarrassment involved there that the buyer may like to avoid. (Which could lead to a higher offer, or could lead to not making any offer at all.)

Pilot172000 · #2 04-05-2016, 10:45 AM

I put prices on the stuff I want to sell. I do this because I'm already determined to sell it and that price is what I need for it. If I am just fishing or not quite ready to sell, I try to not put it out there just yet. That's me and I totally understand what T206collector is saying so its not really a black and white subject The great thing about this site is the fact that if you don't like it you can just move on to the next thread. I am certainly not going to question someone's price publicly, but I will exercise the principles of free market and not purchase the item.

Filthy · #3 04-05-2016, 11:24 AM

I can't think of any other open market, or place of business that advertises (yes..by posting in a B/S/T forum, you are advertising) new or used products for sale, yet intentionally chooses to not openly display a price on said goods for sale. There are a few here, who have given reasons as to why they wouldn't post a price, and I appreciate the input. When it all boils down, there are only two "legitimate" reasons, why someone would seek out a For Sale forum, and post something for sale...and then NOT post a price. For the most part, any and all reasons can fit into one of these two categories below...

1. Seller doesn't know what their item is worth. An uneducated seller. Maybe they're new to the hobby, or maybe they don't eat, sleep, and breath current market trends. This is understandable, as if you really aren't informed on what somethings worth it would make sense to offer something up as "make offer."

2. Seller is being dishonest. Such a harsh word really, but still an accurate description. As a seller, you know exactly how much you have invested in a card. Whether that be from an emotional standpoint..or a monetary value..you know exactly what the card is worth to you. Therefore you also know EXACTLY what it would take for you to say yes...to selling the card. By not posting a price, you are only "fishing" for someone to pay you even more than what that "yes" threshold is. There isn't any other possible explanation, and any attempts of explaining otherwise would be seen by most as a lie. There is no judgement being passed unto you, but this is what you are, and who you are.

So with that said, those of us who post in the B/S/T forums, and choose not to post a price, that is fine...as we have many times discussed that it is the sellers prerogative to post however they so choose. But, I would ask you which of the two categories above do you fit in? The first or second? I'm not one to dictate what category most of the sellers fit into, but I personally find it hard to believe that someone purchasing/selling $200+ or especially $2,000-$5,000 baseball cards is doing so, without having alot of knowledge of the hobby/current market trends.

.

bobbyw8469 · #4 04-05-2016, 11:43 AM

Quote:

The thing I hate is the opposite. When I post a price and I get "what is the lowest you will take?". I already posted a price. Why is it now on me to bid against myself to sell the item?

Amen brother. Especially when it is already a great deal to begin with!

Filthy · #5 04-05-2016, 11:52 AM

Quote:

bobbyw8469
This message is hidden because bobbyw8469 is on your ignore list.

Good story Bro!

bnorth · #6 04-05-2016, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filthy

Good story Bro!

Isn't that option awesome! I also figure it is why I get very few responses to my posts.

bobbyw8469 · #7 04-05-2016, 12:02 PM

I'm glad I'm on his ignore list. Dude was a grade A, #1 jerk in my only dealing with him. The feeling is definitely mutual.

pbspelly · #8 04-05-2016, 11:15 AM

The standard practice (at least in Western countries) is to list a sales price if you are offering to sell something. That's why you don't see a lot of houses listed under "Make an offer." Even for cars, where people expect that the list price is just a starting point, the list price is a starting point for the buyer to respond to. Likewise with auctions, which start at a particular price, even if no one expects the item to sell anywhere near the starting price. If you are offering to sell something, you, the seller, are expected to propose a price.

Now if you have something that you don't intend to sell, but would if someone gave you enough money for it, it's fine if you don't put a price on it and want to just wait for offers. There is nothing ethically wrong with this. But you also probably shouldn't list it on this forum's buy/sell page since it is not technically being offered for sale.

As for someone trying to determine the value of an item, the best way is simply to ask the forum what it thinks the true value is. I've done this several times. You will get a lot more responses than you will by putting something up as Make-an-offer. Sometimes you will also get offers to buy.

ajjohnsonsoxfan · #9 04-05-2016, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbspelly

The standard practice (at least in Western countries) is to list a sales price if you are offering to sell something. That's why you don't see a lot of houses listed under "Make an offer." Even for cars, where people expect that the list price is just a starting point, the list price is a starting point for the buyer to respond to. Likewise with auctions, which start at a particular price, even if no one expects the item to sell anywhere near the starting price. If you are offering to sell something, you, the seller, are expected to propose a price.

Now if you have something that you don't intend to sell, but would if someone gave you enough money for it, it's fine if you don't put a price on it and want to just wait for offers. There is nothing ethically wrong with this. But you also probably shouldn't list it on this forum's buy/sell page since it is not technically being offered for sale.

As for someone trying to determine the value of an item, the best way is simply to ask the forum what it thinks the true value is. I've done this several times. You will get a lot more responses than you will by putting something up as Make-an-offer. Sometimes you will also get offers to buy.

I don't agree as I think the bst section can facilitate both straight priced cards and those that members want to guage the market and take best offers. If you're a good buyer you should be able to navigate both scenarios

pbspelly · #10 04-05-2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

I think the bst section can facilitate both straight priced cards and those that members want to guage the market and take best offers. If you're a good buyer you should be able to navigate both scenarios

I think that's true. But that doesn't change the fact that it is a buy/sell/trade forum, not a "buy/request-for-proposals/trade forum." If you are offering something for sale, the convention has always been that the seller is the first to propose a price. Even people running yard sales set prices for what they're selling, from which the haggling begins. It is only when you see something in the back of the garage--something that wasn't meant to be offered for sale--that the person says, "I don't know, I guess I might sell that. Make me an offer."

Sean · #11 04-05-2016, 11:27 AM

Quoting Jeff L.:"I find that with expensive cards, people don't like to bid against themselves and need a price."

I've been in situations where someone knows that I want a card, and asks me how much will I pay for the card. In that case I don't mind giving a figure.

But if the card is listed on the BST without a price, I don't like to make the first move.

jfkheat · #12 04-05-2016, 11:33 AM

I guess the "Noob Meddlin" was referring to me and the message I posted. As I said in the other post, it is your card, you should know what it will take to buy it. Why not post a price and not have to answer a bunch of emails or PMs asking your price? As others have said, if no price is posted most guys will just move on. If you are only accepting offers, put it up for auction. This is one of the few forums that I am a member of that doesn't require prices to be listed.
James

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1956 Mickey Mantle #135 Make an Offer "SOLD"	bradmar48	1950 to 1959 Baseball cards- B/S/T	1	12-29-2015 11:41 PM
Virtual sports "stuff" garage sale Make me an offer if you dont like the price!	whitehse	Baseball Memorabilia B/S/T	1	01-23-2013 01:54 PM
Cyber Monday "Make an Offer Sale" at Golfcardsforsale.com	Golfcollector	Hockey, Olympic, Auto Racing And All Other Cards	1	12-01-2012 09:45 AM
t206 "orange" snodgrass variation- make an offer!	andybecker	Tobacco (T) cards, except T206 B/S/T	1	05-05-2010 04:30 PM
(2) M101-5 Successful Farming Cubs cards "Make an Offer"	Archive	Ebay, Auction and other Venues Announcement- B/S/T	0	05-24-2007 11:09 PM