Any HAMBER`s know how to negotiate?

I'm not much for negotiating either, I always ***ume that the listed price is artificially high thinking that most people will offer less, so I'm that guy that asks whats the least you'll take, and often before I bother going to look. I already usually know what I'm willing to pay without seeing it in person (very rare exceptions) and I don't like to waste a lot of time running around looking at **** that the owner doesn't intend to sell for the price I might pay. I don't think that's "rude", just cutting to the chase. I don't want to be standing in your driveway trying to get a better price unless there's some problem that was undisclosed when we talked that I could live with for less money out of pocket. just my two pennies...

 

I'll give ya a dollar!

 

I think it is common sense to be polite when going to buy/look at a car being sold privately. Especailly when you are the buyer. If you are a *** or insult the seller with an off the cuff low ball price then they should not let you drive it or sell it to you. I would rather sell something to someone I have a comfortable feeling about.
I don't understand this stima against negotiating. I personally love it and HATE shopping at WalMart. Talking with a seller about the car's history and feeling out how firm the sellers price is important in making a purchasing decision. If you are selling something then indicate you are firm on the asking price, if I don't see this, its negotiating time!!

 

The longer the stuff has been for sale the easier it is to negotiate. It has been ingrained in me that if someone is asking 2500 they'll take 2200 in a heartbeat and probably 2000 if they see the Benjamins in front of them. I had to learn that. I was timid and afraid I'd offend the seller with a reasonable offer on an overpriced object. It wasn't until I became a seller that I could understand the seller wanting to make a sale.

Nobody would make an offer for a refrigerator at Sears and Roebucks, but at a mom and pop store like my exhaust and brake shop, prices were often negotiable for that day only. You want it today? I'll do it for this price. Next Friday when you get paid, the price is the earlier quote. The first quote was fair but today I need a sale!

Once you learn it and it becomes an accepted practice, it's hard to give it up. I've found smokin' deals that the guy had no idea what it was worth. I still had to offer less just on principles.

I think it's funny when the vendors get all huffy when you offer them less. I just chalk it up to being a rookie and not understanding the system.

I always take the at***ude that I'm the guy the seller is looking for. I'm a serious buyer with the cash for my serious offer. Otherwise you can play games with tire kickers and "here's 50, let me sell my current ride" types. Do you want to sell it or talk about it. But you have to have the cash to seriously negotiate. When they say one just sold on EBAY for...I say this ain't EBAY pal and my cash is walkin'.

 

I am a terrible negotiater also. I wear my heart on my sleve and I have no poker face at all. I know if I can afford something before I ever go to look at it. If it's something I like I'll buy it, if not I move on. I have friends that can squeeze a quarter and get a ****** out of George Washinghton's nose, but I always just seem to give the asking price if I like something. If you have quality stuff, I'm your Huckelberry. Of course, I will disavow all knowledge of this post for my next purchase? HAHA.

 

I try to negotiate just about everything. It never hurts to ask. The worst they can so is "No". But, at the same time, I am NEVER disrespectful or rude. Always refer to the seller as "sir" or "ma'am" and ALWAYS take cash with you.

 

I've pretty much quit negotiating, or selling stuff for that matter, sometimes it just ****s, If I see a part I want, I ask how much, if I can afford it I pay it if it's too high well I **** it up say thanks it is more than I want to spend and move on. As far as selling I have never had much luck, once a person on the board wanted a Harley 16 inch wheel I had no use for, original rear wheel chrome as good as Harley ever put on, so I said I'll ship it to you for a certain amount and gave a fair ***esment of it, he agress and after he recieves it, says well it's what you said but would you be willing to take ten bucks less. My reply polietely was please send it back. My time to dig it out clean it up put it in a box and ship it was worth more than the 35 I wanted for it anyway. I don't look to make money on my hobby, but I guess I forget how many people view this as a way to earn a living.

 

So you didn't send the stuff out for free. You were indeed looking to get something in return.

Very few do reply to those who don't post a price. Craigslist is getting bad about this. Then you see the ad reposted for days and days.

 

I thought I was the only one who can't negotiate worth **** so don't. My solution, the wife makes most of the deals. She's good at it and I think has a slight advantage at a swapmeet.

 

Yep. Don't even think about making an offer until you are financially able and committed to buy if the offer is accepted.

 

sorry, but that's ********. expecting a thankyou is NOT too much to ask. how hard is it to send a IM or email saying thanks for the free stuff? they obviously had no trouble asking for the **** in the first place. My grandma never expected anything in return when she gave me a birthday or christmas gift or whatever, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I'd have been in deep **** if I wasn't polite and thanked her for whatever I got! It kills me that not only there are people that don't understand how to be polite, but that you would actually imply that joecool would be in the wrong for his stance on it.

 

Of course it isn't. I would never suggest that one shouldn't thank someone for something free.

Just noting he did want something in return. Me, I'd rather have the cash.

If I send you something I don't care if I never hear from you. That means all went well. To each their own.

 

If I think it's too much, there's no real polite way TO respond. "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all,"

 

Ya know, when someone comes on and ask for free advise, they get their money's worth here on the HAMB. Please don't take cheap shots at other's opinions but rather, offer up your advise and shut up. Of course, I'll remain humble and polite and reserve divulging any names, others have made that clear.

Anyway, lots of good advise, we all have our own ways of buying and selling. If I want to get rid of something, make an offer and most of the time it's yours. I don't spend much time negotiating anymore, I did it for a good living for years and I guess I don't have to prove my old self to anybody. Now, where's that garage sale section?

 

I very very seldom buy anything without offering less or asking if the price is firm. Which one I do depends on the cir***stances. If I'm told the price isn't firm then I'll make an offer but never without the money in my pocket. I always say "Money Talks ******** Walks" I don't appreciate it when I've been dealing with someone on something I have for sale then hear them say "Well I Need To Talk To My Wife/Banker/credit union/etc, Before I Buy" ******** if you need to talk to someone before you can buy something don't waste my time. The guy coming up behind you might be the one with cash in the pocket and who doesn't need to consult with someone first. I know that sounds like a hard*** approach, but in 92 I sold a car to a guy who had to go to the bank to get the money. Well he must have gotten lost because 15 years later he still hasn't gotten back.

 

So I bought a 69 Dart for a friend off the I-net after getting over 100 pics of the car. I'm in Mich - it was in Florida. We agreed on price, I did not drive it. it showed up without 3rd gear (bad 904). Can't tell if it runs right from over 100 pics.... ALWAYS Drive before you buy - or agree on price!!!
Never again - Always drive before you buy!!! oh, already said that..
Aman, you ever sold a 69 Dart to a guy in Michigan?

 

HaHaHaHa No, good for me huh! Let me explain why I said what I said. I was in boat sales for years. In boat sales it's not so easy as say, car sales. The seller has to haul the boat, some times 30' long, to the water to run it so it takes a lot more time and effort. After the test you have to clean it inside and out before it goes back on the lot. That's expensive and takes floor time away from the sales people. That's why I focused on the price setting before the ride. I didn't say not to go for a ride. Let me put it this way, I wouldn't buy anything without testing it first. But please consider, it cost us about $300 to do a test ride in a big boat: fuel, wages, cleaning, refueling, etc. and that's were I was coming from. As far as cars are concerned I agree with you, take it for a spin, hell, take it to an independent garage for a third eye opinion. That has always helped me out especially if I really want the car. A third party will see things that I miss. Back to the question of negotiating it is always a learning curve. I started when I was 10 years old and I've learned a few things today. Happy selling and buying folks!

 

I've gotten tons of questions about the truck I have for sale on here, and the ones who ask how I did something or where I got a part never, ever give a "thank you", except for one.

My favorite "buyers" are the ones who offer HALF of the asking price, saying "$**** is all I have. Will you sell it to me at that price?" Come on, now. What are you supposed to say to that?

 

Just say no.

 

Groucho here is a cl*** act when it comes to negotiating- he's Honest, and gets to the point real quick. when we discussed a transaction not long ago, after he saw the pics and prices, he simply told me he was looking for a better deal than I had to offer, and thanked me for my time. it was a good experience, even though he didn't buy my stuff.

and yes, he did say "Thank you".

after I dealt with him, it became less of a mystery how he gets all those kick *** toys!

 

IMHO, if you price your item above what you want for it, you're asking for trouble. Why? I never negotiate on anything. If the price is to high I move on. I figure, you, the seller knows what he wants for it and if we can't see eye to eye immediately, I neither interested in paying too much nor in beating you up about the price.

 

When buying a car, is it out of line to ask if they what the price thats asked or if they are willing to ****er? I wouln't think it would, right? Also, Is it out of line to ask for a bottom dollar? The reason I ask is I don't want to throw out a low number and totaly insult the guy. I supose it helps to get a feal for his at***ude. I'd never ask for half of what a guy wants (I don't have balls THAT big). But what about offering $6,000 on a car thats listed as $6,500?

 

Nothing wrong with that. Offering $2500 on an asking price of $6000 will usually get you anything from a wise remark to a bonafide threat. I have made ridiculously low offers that were accepted at swap meets, but it always went something like this:

"How much for this?"
"Hundred bucks."
"Okay, thanks." (Start walking away)
"Well, what'll ya give me?"
"We're too far apart."
"Oh, come on, ya can't insult me!"
"Wanna bet? Twenty bucks."
"Sold!!!"

That exchange actually got me an Ansen cast ****tershield for Chevy V8s. Like I said, I warn them first, and if they still want to hear the offer.....they asked for it.

 

Funny how times change. Now it's "do you know how much they're going for on Ebay?", whereas 20 or 25 years ago, it was, "Well, I could take this down to Carlisle and...." at which point I'd say, "Look around....does this look ANYTHING like Carlisle to you?". All you guys that don't make an offer are missing out. Like Tommy says, it's part of the game. Of course the guy that wants $100 for his intake has it marked $150. If he marked it at $100, everyone would offer him $50-$75. It's human nature to want a bargain, so the guy that "talks him down" to $100 walks away thinking he's pretty shrewd, and the seller got what he wanted in the first place.

 

Well it's simple,,it's the internet,,therfore there is a form of ananimity ( sp),,alot of people ( specially internet people ) who lack real life people skills. alot of teh people buying and building cars nowadays ,are NEW to it,,and even fewer still know the old days when you were driving downthe road,spotted something behind a house or out in a field and drove up knocked on the door and asked about it ..and there is also about 1000 other misc. reasons,,you can try and not take things to heart,,or the old stand by ( i'll belive it when I see it ),,you'll have good and bad in everything,,getting acknowledgement of someone getting what they wanted and be happy is a great thing,,and there is the others who think the 60 year old part they bought should be nice and shiney new like it was just made,,buying on the internet and the old fashion way are 2 different worlds,,and well thats how it is,,people are people and not much you can do to change em.

 

While I'm thinking about it, here's a tip on what NOT to do. It was Sunday afternoon, the second day of a two day swap meet, and damned close to loading time. I had a Borg Warner T50 (5 speed used in mid to late '70s GM 4 and 6 cylinder cars) lying in my space, and if I'd gotten a dollar from everyone that fondled it over the past two days, I could have thrown it away. A guy that had poked and prodded it several times walked by again, looked at me and said, "What's the absolute bottom dollar on this transmission?". I had been asking $150, so I thought about it for a moment and said, "Absolute bottom dollar? One hundred bucks." Those words were no sooner out of my mouth and he said "Will ya take seventy-five?" Guess what I said to him?

 

Another point of view. I don't ask about something unless I'm a buyer, which includes having the cash now. Don't have time for BS, but, i ask a lot of questions, want to see lots of pictures. Fact is, half the time I don't know if it's the part I need or not. the other half, I'm looking for something that doesn't exist and I'm hoping to find something I can make work. So, to some, I'm a pain in the *** tire kicker, but when I find what i need, I buy it, no ****ering.
Rude, Never. no point in it.

 

No, Sorry

 

Yes and then as you walked off with it did the little guy in your brain think? "Boy I offered more than he was willing to take?" I've had the same type of exchange myself.

 

I hate negotiating...and I especially hate someone asking me what I'll give for something they're selling that's not marked. I always feel I'm either going to insult them by offering too little or get screwed by offering too much.