The amazing guitar bargaining skills

[hub4thailand]

i just receive some interesting sms like this

1) bro 1400 for your gibson les paul standard.

2) seller: hey wanna trade your gibson j45 with my tele?
me: what brand and specs, fender? yr?
seller: its a craftsman blonde tele
me: seriously bro unless u topup 2200sgd
seller: ok nevermind thanks
me: its good to do some research first you know

 

[Santana]

These people have no shame.

 

[VENGEANCE]

These people have no shame.

I have to agree with you on that one, that guy is just an idiot. But i have an experience to share. By this point, I dont really care whether this goes public. I contacted this guy about this certain flying v guitar, I was quite interested but I was not gonna buy it at that price. So what the hell, I decided to try my luck and email him to negotiate. I then told him what I felt, saying that Im interested in the guitar but wanted what he felt was a "lowballing" price. I simply shared what I felt, saying flying v guitars are hard to sell and if he sells me the guitar at that price i'll deal asap. Instead, I'm greeted back with a sarcastic reply telling me to find a guitar at the same price and selling it to him. Of course I was like wtf, cause i was sincerely negotiating with him. And then the whole thing escalated with his very quickly with his mature replies of cuss words and other stuff. I say if you are not interested in the price someone wants, then dont reply at all, dont insult someone just because you think they have no respect and are specifically "lowballing" you. PLEASE If anyone could get a guitar cheap they would, and the price I offered was only a difference of 200+ and not trading a china guitar for a Gibson LP, so "lowballing"? I do not think so.

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

hehe, perhaps flying v seller felt insulted with the remark, "flying v hard to sell".

its kinda funny aint it, its hard to sell, but who is interested in buying. of course it aint wrong to say its hard to sell, but coming from someone who is interested to buy and using this reason, it seem funny and as if doing a favour to seller.


imho

 

[hub4thailand]

So far I quite polite to them already leh, just tell them to do some research. Its getting a bit tiring responding to weird offers. I wonder where all the highballers are, can someone introduce me some?

 

[skipper53]

So far I quite polite to them already leh, just tell them to do some research. Its getting a bit tiring responding to weird offers. I wonder where all the highballers are, can someone introduce me some?

I wanted to trade my cu24 for the sparkle blue starplayer really badly, but the next moment i looked it was goneeeeeeeee =(

feel better bro, the grade of asses on soft keep getting more and more astounding.

 

[lastking]

I have to agree with you on that one, that guy is just an idiot. But i have an experience to share. By this point, I dont really care whether this goes public. I contacted this guy about this certain flying v guitar, I was quite interested but I was not gonna buy it at that price. So what the hell, I decided to try my luck and email him to negotiate. I then told him what I felt, saying that Im interested in the guitar but wanted what he felt was a "lowballing" price. I simply shared what I felt, saying flying v guitars are hard to sell and if he sells me the guitar at that price i'll deal asap. Instead, I'm greeted back with a sarcastic reply telling me to find a guitar at the same price and selling it to him. Of course I was like wtf, cause i was sincerely negotiating with him. And then the whole thing escalated with his very quickly with his mature replies of cuss words and other stuff. I say if you are not interested in the price someone wants, then dont reply at all, dont insult someone just because you think they have no respect and are specifically "lowballing" you. PLEASE If anyone could get a guitar cheap they would, and the price I offered was only a difference of 200+ and not trading a china guitar for a Gibson LP, so "lowballing"? I do not think so.

I advertised my MIJ Jackson V for $666, which honestly is a rock bottom price for a MIJ Jackson and I'm not willing to go any lower, and I stated clearly that price is FIRM and no bargaining. But despite this, you STILL repeatedly contacted me about the guitar and lowball me by offering $400. There is no doubt that you lowballed me. The thing is, you know your $400 offer is lowballing yet you still went ahead to lowball me and talk a whole load a rubbish to me. You even told me other shops will offer me "shitter prices" which means you know your offer is shitty. And that's why you felt uncomfortable when I replied you with a simple "you sell me a MIJ Jackson for $400".

When I told you to respect sellers' prices and the word FIRM, you told me "dont come to me talking about morals and respecting people's prices ok". So it's obvious you are a lowballer and NOT ASHAMED OF IT. This thread is made for people like you.

You told me if I don't like your offer then don't reply? Well guess what, if you don't like $666 FIRM and no bargaining, then don't contact me, simple. I already put $666 FIRM and no bargaining, you still come and lowball, you are really asking for it.

I put up with you for a long time during our email exchange but you pushed it. If you can't take the heat then don't start the fire. You are the one who wants to take it public so let the people judge for themselves.

 

[lastking]

Oh btw your offer was not even $400 because you said "$400 no more no less and depending whether you have the original case."

Well, I don't have the original case, so how much were you planning to offer? $200?

 

[lastking]

Here's what VENGEANCE emailed to me, basically his lowball offer and his justification of the it, which he knew to be lowball. If he honestly finds that his offer is good, why need to justify at all? And so long? The words in bold being particularly offensive:

"$400 no more no less and depending whether you have the original case. Im sure you can see now that the market for Japanese guitars has not been doing well for quite sometime now. There are quite a few jacksons here on soft that has not been moving at all, so it tells you something, that there is no market for Jackson guitars on soft. You can try 2nd hand shops but they will give you even shittier prices. I've been noticing your post for quite some time now, i can assure you no one will buy that guitar at your price. The only reason why I'm interested is because i like Randy Rhoads but there is no way I will pay that amount for a MIJ Jackson. No worries dude, try your luck and contact me if you change your mind"

 

[Gates]

You know once upon a time when i was younger and am full of GAS, i at least have a little respect for myself and went out to look for a job. Full time during holidays or maybe part time ones that are not so time consuming when school term begins. Is it really so difficult to take the effort to save for something? If you have no money, it doesn't end there. There are many legal alternatives to get them. Why resort to lowballing? Cut down on your cigarettes,clubbing and clothes or other expenditures if you must. Good things don't come cheap so don't expect people to take pity on you if you come from a poor family or have financial issues. Been there done that.

If you cannot even be willing to pay for something you like to do, you should be ashamed of yourself. Call yourself a musician? Is this really your hobby?

Please respect the musicians and market here. Most of us sweat our asses out to get our gear. You don't go to an LV or boutique shops to buy your clothes/bags if you cannot afford it. You wear cheaper clothes from cheaper places. Facts of life. Can't get a gibson, get an epiphone. Can't get an epiphone, get another cheaper make. The 2nd hand market here is already a much cheaper alternative compared to brand new. So don't complain so much and stop the lowballing spirit for C's sake. I'm getting sick of it too.

If you happen to be new or have just started and am unfamiliar with the market, at least have the decency to check online or with your friends. Just like hub's post on the tele/j45 trade, do you really think you can trade of a craftman for a gibson j45? I can already spell, dishonesty, selfishness, unreasonable, wishful thinking, taking advantage of others and many other traits of human beings that i dislike.

Hope you all lowballers can reflect upon yourself and your life.

 

[hub4thailand]

I wanted to trade my cu24 for the sparkle blue starplayer really badly, but the next moment i looked it was goneeeeeeeee =(

feel better bro, the grade of asses on soft keep getting more and more astounding.

skipper i can trade a craftsman tele with your cu24 hehe very good deal ok?

 

[LadyInTears]

a long time ago, i was a huge x japan fan, i was so into hide.
hub4thailand was selling a hide signature guitar, i ran so many errands for my parents, skipped meals in school and did everything in my power to come up with his asking price, i never bothered to lowball because i respected his asking price ( i always see hub's prices as VERY attractive)

im not sure what happened to all the good buyers, oh well.

and vengeance, you deserve to be spat at.

 

[cadam7777777]

At the onset of any justification, we would know it is underpinned by desires of defense and preserve. On the other hand, it is the freedom of expression within a forum, a.k.a. public domain. Also, if one has solicited for responses from such public domains, be ready to manage them when they start flocking in.

These conditions have made by a perfect logic cycle for views exchanges to happen. While one deems something as inappropriate responses, they might be totally genuine to another. The stances are set up from this point onwards and the emotional exchanges begin. Usually, no winner emerge from such exchanges and much less achieving the initiate objectives.

Buyers may feel the right to offer any amount and seller would feel the same way, i.e. any amount I wish to sell. I believe everyone yearns for respect and a rewarding and winning transaction. Even better, to make more friends rather than another foe.

Buyer and seller ought to set a reasonable prices. So what is that? As some member suggested that researching should be carried out, I think it applies to both sellers and buyers. I remembered seeing in a local forum, a sales advert of a used Gibson SJ200 going at SGD $5.4k. It did garner a flock of responses. Some are friendly pointers or suggested whereas others were unpleasant. This seller has unknowingly generated such responses to deal with and not everyone for them. Suffice to say that the guitar wasn't sold for quite a while but the current status is unknown.

With passion, guitar players are will always seek for their "dream guitars" and that is a very personal pursuit. So much so it turned in a self-centric quest, with little or no regard to other parties, typically to the seller in such cases. If there was any trace of selfishness in such transactions, both parties are not cognizant about it. The stand-off became more noticeable until it tuned into frustration. Once such negative emotion sets in, the initiate objective of the transaction will be subordinated and the rest of the exchange will spiral downwards into ... Evidence? Just read the early responses of this thread.

 

[Sunrisenblues]

okay well.this is not too much on amazing bargaining skills..but much more on really smelly buyers

For the last couple of years..soft had seen many new young kids around..who have no sense of ethics..
last year.. i had a rare epiphone les paul junior for sale..in sunburst..it came with p90 pups..
i was selling it at damn low a price..with upgrades done..at 260..
this 15-16 malay boy was interested to buy it at 200..i told him it was at 260 firm..
after a couple of email exchange..he agreed to the price..i was willing to throw in tons of freebies as well..gig bag..cables..bag of picks

once we met to deal..i let him test my guitar with a portable amp..he was happy with it..and he passed me the money..
"200 right?"
WTFFF...i thought we agreed on 260?
"oh i think i misread your email"

he then proceeded to show me his empty wallet...
i saw an ATM card though..ad asked him to withdraw the 60..he told me that it belonged to his dad or something..and said he will transfer my 60 to my bank account that night when he ask his dad for cash...i was really unhappy..but i let it off anyway..i was too nice

that night i called him..but to no avail..apprently he used a pre-paid sim or some sort...the feeling of getting scam of 60 is not good..i wouldnt have sold that guitar anyways..

what a prick...i mean its the type of dishonestly that erks me...my 2 cents worth of rant...
i mean..if you have no money..dont lovelovelovelovelovelovelove ever dream of owning a decent guitar...

 

[xfigox]

VENGEANCE is sooo lowballing man.

I feel that its alright to give lower offers to try your luck sometimes, but not too ridiculous though. HOWEVER if you offer something lower and TRY to talk SHIT that totally makes no sense to justify your offer, you should shoot yourself in the head.

 

[bf0502tr]

ok vengeance tbh, $200 will not be lowballing if u're discounting $200 off a $3k price tag. cos the % is smaller. but if u're talking abt a sub $700 price tag the % change is kinda significant isnt it? its like 30% off the price tag. u should be ashamed of urself for trying this tactic and having the audacity of blaming it on the seller when u dont get it ur way.

 

[relinquish69]

come on guys, give VENGEANCE a break. we must think in a different POV. he can't be ALL wrong right? I know him and he is a nice guy in person. then again, that's a different thing altogether right?

anyway, how do 2nd hand prices come about? usually when you buy a Fender American Standard first hand at $2000, how much can you sell it for 2nd hand tops? $1400? the moment you walk out of a store, you lose 30%.

maybe he was thinking along this context? well, I might be wrong but it's possible.

in a business POV, you can't make a profit all the time right? would you rather sell your guitar at a $200 loss in a week or sell it at the price you want after 3 months? you could use the money that you got to invest in something else and cover up that loss rather than having "floating cash" that you cannot use in times of need.

well, the decision ultimately is up to the seller. to me, losing a couple of hundred when it comes to guitars is not that big a deal because I always treat it as "rental fees" and also be able to write a review for research sake. not that I'm rich or anything, you don't lose that much money as compared to brand new equipment. your views might vary.

 

[bf0502tr]

come on guys, give VENGEANCE a break. we must think in a different POV. he can't be ALL wrong right? I know him and he is a nice guy in person. then again, that's a different thing altogether right?

anyway, how do 2nd hand prices come about? usually when you buy a Fender American Standard first hand at $2000, how much can you sell it for 2nd hand tops? $1400? the moment you walk out of a store, you lose 30%.

maybe he was thinking along this context? well, I might be wrong but it's possible.

in a business POV, you can't make a profit all the time right? would you rather sell your guitar at a $200 loss in a week or sell it at the price you want after 3 months? you could use the money that you got to invest in something else and cover up that loss rather than having "floating cash" that you cannot use in times of need.

well, the decision ultimately is up to the seller. to me, losing a couple of hundred when it comes to guitars is not that big a deal because I always treat it as "rental fees" and also be able to write a review for research sake. not that I'm rich or anything, you don't lose that much money as compared to brand new equipment. your views might vary.

well the main reason ppl are going into the 2nd hand market is cos they dun wanna lose so much when trying to sell off. for 1st hand u might lose abt 20% to 30% right off the bat. but for 2nd hand, u usually lose less than 20% when u sell. so when u "bargain" with a person 30% off the set price, u're basically disrespecting the person. and for a business POV, if u dun show ur seller/buyer respect, chances are high that there wont be a next transaction. so while i know there are diff POVs, i think one should respect the person at the other end of the deal b4 dealing. peace.

 

[lastking]

come on guys, give VENGEANCE a break. we must think in a different POV. he can't be ALL wrong right? I know him and he is a nice guy in person. then again, that's a different thing altogether right?

anyway, how do 2nd hand prices come about anyway? usually when you buy a Fender American Standard first hand at $2000, how much can you sell it for 2nd hand tops? $1400? the moment you walk out of a store, you lose 30%.

maybe he was thinking along this context? well, I might be wrong but it's possible.

in a business POV, you can't make a profit all the time right? would you rather sell your guitar at a $200 loss in a week or sell it at the price you want after 3 months? you could use the money that you got to invest in something else and cover up that loss rather than having "floating cash" that you cannot use in times of need.

well, the decision ultimately is up to the seller. to me, losing a couple of hundred when it comes to guitars is not that big a deal because I always treat it as "rental fees" and also be able to write a review for research sake. not that I'm rich or anything, you don't lose that much money as compared to brand new equipment. your views might vary.

So you know him, no wonder you are defending him now. But I agree that's another thing altogether. It doesn't relate to his insulting lowballing antics.

Your logic is totally flawed. Your logic is based on the assumption that a brand new MIJ Jackson costs $666 from the shops, which is far from the truth. I ever told him to go to any shop, pick up any MIJ guitar, and use his logic of "MIJ guitars not selling well now" to convince the shops to sell him MIJ guitar for $400, and see if the shopkeepers will chase him away with a broom or call the mental asylum.

The thing that irks me is not that he offered me $400 for my $666 guitar. What irked me was the fact that I already said clearly many times that price of $666 is firm, cos it is already damn low for a MIJ Jackson, yet he still did it, and with all the smartass remarks to boot.

You are selling a MIJ Jackson right now for $750 or $850, right? Why not you put your money where your mouth is, and sell to VENGEANCE for $400?

 

[lastking]

If have original case then you sell to him for $400. Otherwise let him lowball you further.