Uh, you have to be kidding, Right? Low ball offer is the term given for an offer that is way below the market value of the item for sale. Say for instance the standard Craigslist going price for a Edelbrock Performer is 75.00 and you have seen some for 60.00 but you offer the guy 30.00 that is a "low ball offer". It's offering way too little in hope that the guy is desperate and takes it or drops his price way down rather than making a legit offer that can be negotiated. The best advice that any of us can probably give is to study and know the going (actual sale) prices of what you are hunting for. Track several of a similar item on Ebay to see what they go for. Watch Craiigslist from several regions for the same thing. Compare prices at swap meets. Check the cl***ifieds here (may not always be a good indicator of actual selling price) But learn and know what the going price for what you are looking for is. Then you can make an honest offer that isn't actually a lowball and insulting offer.
It's an Ole School saying meaning "To try to pay lower /unrealistically low amount" A person who tries to get something for lower price than already set is called a "lowballer".
Dont offer half the asking price ... A lot of " possibe " buyers just try to get something ( often so they can resell ) CHEAP ... because they think/believe the seller is in a bad situation and desparate to sell. On the other hand ... I see a LOT of prices on stuff that the seller must be on drugs ... or just plain STUPID. No way the ****/junk is worth half of the asking price. .
If a guy is asking 12000, and you KNOW it is worth atleast 11,500.....don't offer the guys 9,000.....or less. Every guy likes findinf a deal, or the occasional steal.....but lowballing makes you look like one of two things...An idiot that doesn't know what he is looking at, or a man that simply doesn't have enough cash. Here is a somewhat funny story though that contadicts my two examples, lol. When I was selling my Harley, I was asking 7500 for it. A guy writes and offers me 2000 cash. I asked him if you was f'in retarded. He replied "No, I'm actually pretty smart...I was hoping YOU were retarded". hahaha. He bought the bike for 7.
I get a ton of low ball offers on things I think I am already selling cheap. I had a 1950 Ford F-6 I had up for sale for 200 bucks. I got a bunch of clowns offering 50 to 100 bucks. Also had a 53 Willys that ran and moved with a ***le for 500 bucks. Got a ton of 200 dollar offers. I know the stuff ain't worth much but that is ridiculous. If the price is already pretty low offering half of the asking price is insulting.
In fairness to buyers the seller should also start with an area price not just "make me an offer" I ran into that a lot finding my car since I wasnt sure what a "_______ ______ _______ with a _______ and a ______ of 3,000" was worth. So if you just say offer don't get ****hurt when a lowball is thrown out. That and if I have to drive to your parents house and you tell me you lost you job/house/eating dog food that I'll give a primo offer.
What about people who ask way too much for their stuff? If you offer a reasonable amount they say your low balling them. What gives?
Biggest problem with being a tool and lowballing an item, he might just block your *** from contacting him in the future, then have something for sale you really need. I had parted out a studebaker truck, one guy liked playing online games on stuff earlier, so I would no longer sell to him. He is into stude trucks and just about fell over knowing there was a guy in this hick town parting one out. Right up to the point I let him know I wont deal with him.
screw it I am all for lowballing. If someone lowballs me and I am not interested I just say no. Everyone thinks all there **** is worth gold.
Normally a pitcher will throw a low ball when he's ahead in the count say 2 strikes no balls hope this helps you