OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: jimson on September 22, 2015, 09:38:32 pm
-
G'day viewers just thought I would get some thoughts on setting a price for items in the For Sale section on here. Is it best to set a price or ask the person buying to offer a price ? It's difficult to know what is a fare price on some things & you want to be fare to all concerned. jimson
-
Whenever you are selling online it is best to set a price first, if someone was looking at the same item in person at a swap meet then making an offer is ok, to set the price takes creative accounting figuring what you paid for it vs. current market value vs. realistic expectations involving payment methods postage etc.
-
A lot of young blokes want to sell stuff by offer these days, like they're afraid their price won't be high enough and they might under sell it.
-
Whats it worth to you? Thats your price and you either sell it or you keep it till its not worth that much to you anymore.
If I want to get rid of something its best offer or pay me in beer.
-
It's not fair to expect people to be both buyer & seller at the same time. I'm of the belief if it doesn't have a price, it isn't for sale. You know in your heart of hearts how much you want for it (everyone does), so set a price & go from there. The general rule I use is you cans always lower the price but rarely raise it.
K
-
i generally find that if i want to buy something its "rare as hens teeth" & expensive
When i try to sell same item later on they are like assholes and everyones got one.
-
i generally find that if i want to buy something its "rare as hens teeth" & expensive
When i try to sell same item later on they are like assholes and everyones got one.
It's somewhat nice to know i am not alone.......
-
Offers = keeping it.
It is the single best way to ensure you don't sell the item, but still manage to waste a whole lot of time (your's and other's).
The ONLY time asking for offers works even semi-reliably, is if you have something of decent value that you're willing to let go for way below market price (because mum wants you to pay her back, there's a pit bike you really want, or you need to fund a big night out...).
Put a price on it.
-
The common thing now is people asking what a bike or item is worth. Just another way of trying to get the best price (for the seller).
Then they get upset when they get low prices stated. There are heaps of examples on facebook.
Really if you don't know what it is worth do some research or state a price range.
Facebook or the forum are not auction sites. You can always say no if the price offered is too low (in your opinion).
As Wayne Carini from Chasing Classic Cars says a car or bike is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
-
It used to be the idea of auction sales like eBay:
Put it on for the minimum you would take, hopeing it gets bided up.
(Hope for the best, plan for the worst)
Now people seem to list things at a starting price way below the "reserve".
Potentially wasting everyone's time.
Too much emotion, not enough reality. Kinda like the current world.
-
I laugh every time I see something listed on evilbay with a relatively large start price (say $5k for example), the in bold letters, the statement NO RESRVE. I'd say the $5k in this example is the reserve!
K
-
The one that gets me upset is when they say "restored these bikes are getting big bucks " well son they get big bucks because someone spent a bucket load of money doing it up and your pile of rust will need two buckets of money so be realistic with what you want . Iain
-
I laugh every time I see something listed on evilbay with a relatively large start price (say $5k for example), the in bold letters, the statement NO RESRVE. I'd say the $5k in this example is the reserve!
K
At least you know where you stand.
In the above example: listed at $1000, you might think "I'd pay $2000 for that easy, but certainly no more than $3000." Everyone's time is wasted if the (undisclosed) reserve is $5k.
If listed at $5k, no reserve, just walk away if it's too much.
Personally, I don't bid on "reserve not met" items.
-
Or when you "win" the item at a price that's half what you were happy to pay, but reserve isn't met...
And so you send the seller a message saying "I'm happy to pay more than the highest bid, can you contact me to discuss", and you hear nothing ever again...
Ebay is a really shitty way to do business.
-
I've had good success selling bikes, cars, parts on the bay. I do put as much info as I can think of about the item, unlike some who think that just writing "pics are the description" will attract a fair dinkum buyer.
It's even better when the buyer calls and offers a price, puts a deposit into your bank account so you can remove the said item knowing it is sold and then avoid the wait and see auction and the sometimes ridiculous fees the bay has.
I always start my auctions with what I am prepared to accept and then hope for more.
Works for me.
-
Chunky Steak & Kid - I would expect to pay around 4.50.....
I rarley use Ebay anymore for buying or selling. It has been overrun by retail businesses and a true auction bargain is pretty hard to come by these days.
It has it's pluses in that it is a huge marketplace, but that can also be a negative in that people know they can stick a bigger price on an item and eventually with the number of buyers hitting the site they will get their price.
As a seller on ebay the increase in fees and charges is off the hook, now that they control much of the postage market for sellers in the US that is killing getting parts from OS.
Anyhue, I do have a bike listed on Ebay at the moment - My bottom dollar is $1500 so I set my starting price at $1750 NR. This covers the extortionate fees and no doubt some of my time and effort when I say 'local pick-up only' and I have to securely pack it up and ship it off interstate.
A few other gripes you buy something listed locally e.g. Location 'Sydney' and need it an a hurry - Turns out Seller has never even been to Sydney and your part is on the slow boat form China!
This isn't as bad as it used to be but the old 'Buy it now' $10 - Postage $240
But back to the original question stick a price on it - As a buyer I will haggle but I hate not knowing where the starting point is. The blind offer is always uncomfortable for the buyer and the seller.
-
I've bought a lot more from eBay than I've sold on there.
Recently I sold some items. I was shocked at the commission eBay takes.
I was frustrated that I couldn't "ship at actual cost" - previously I'd get a quote after the auction was won. (Depends on the buyers location and preference for insurence etc).
eBay wants their cut on the shipping too! I found this out after I quoted high for shipping intending to refund the unused portion. eBay took a cut of the high quote.
Maybe I could list it "local pick up only" then negotiate shipping after and send a separate PayPal invoice?
No one seems content to milk the cow anymore. They think it's clever to suck it dry and kick it in the guts for a few extra drops.
I'll be trying Gumtree next time I'm selling...
-
I think this is why so much stuff is listed as 'free postage' I have never had any success buying on Gumtree. No one responds to messages/emails at all. Its quite different there.
-
I think this is why so much stuff is listed as 'free postage' I have never had any success buying on Gumtree. No one responds to messages/emails at all. Its quite different there.
I'm the same with Gumtree. I have hardly any response to messages or emails. Being overseas most of the time it's the easiest way for me to correspond, but not for others it seems...
-
Phone calls go a long way.
I have a rule of thumb for buying/selling on gumtree, forums or FaceSook: if there's more than four messages without a phone call (or a phone number being offered), then they're probably a dickhead.
It's not 100%, but it is close.
And as a potential buyer, it's surprising how often people remark "you bothered to call!" - most sellers get way too many scammers and morons messaging them, so genuine potential buyers are missed if they don't call.
-
Yep, I refuse to haggle via a text message or email. If someone is genuinely interested in what is for sale, they will spare 5 minutes out of their hectic life to make a phone call, which in the end is probably quicker than typing out the message!
Still, with all our gripes about online selling, it sure is a lot easier than the old Trading Post days. And you can add your own quality photos which is miles better than the one blurry pic you could submit via the paper.
-
I actually miss the Trading Post days. Getting the paper early on a Thursday morning then going "hell for leather" trying to be the first to get the bargain. Good times.
K
-
same. nothing like the thrill of the call and the first question...do you still have it? was always good to hear "your the first call ive had!"
saw a blue HK gts v8 4speed Monaro in the post in 1996--$9K. rang the guy up and he says "sorry mate, went first thing this smorning and ive had 20 calls since!" Bugger!
next week the add is still there! I ring up and he says the first guy was a p plater and couldn't rego the car!! I was the only bunny to call back. a win!.... I really miss the post, online is great but you just get so sidetracked looking at stuff.
-
I actually miss the Trading Post days. Getting the paper early on a Thursday morning then going "hell for leather" trying to be the first to get the bargain. Good times.
K
I'm with you K, that's where bargains were to be had. I bought just about all my pre '75 bikes through the Trading Post and never paid more than about $500. Just not possible now when you're bidding against every Tom, Dick and Nathan on fleabay. You just had to be up early on a Thursday and be prepared to wake people up, who usually don't mind if they're selling something.
-
same. nothing like the thrill of the call and the first question...do you still have it? was always good to hear "your the first call ive had!"
saw a blue HK gts v8 4speed Monaro in the post in 1996--$9K. rang the guy up and he says "sorry mate, went first thing this smorning and ive had 20 calls since!" Bugger!
next week the add is still there! I ring up and he says the first guy was a p plater and couldn't rego the car!! I was the only bunny to call back. a win!.... I really miss the post, online is great but you just get so sidetracked looking at stuff.
Never give up on love!
Great story.
(These days it would be back on stEalBay, with a story about time wasters...and an increased starting bid....)
-
The old Trading Post days were good fun. Lots of trips to Sydney on a Thursday evening...
I think you got far fewer dipshit sellers when placing an ad required planning and cost them money.
I think you also had far fewer time waster "buyers" when replying to an ad required the balls to pick up a phone and talk to someone.
-
not too many buyers in the trading post are "buying for their kid on an oil rig and need your bank numbers to put the transport fee in...."
-
Yes, on reflection the Trading Post days did make for some great memories. There was no emailing back and forth asking for more photos and "what's your buy it now price"?
The early morning chase (sometimes midnight on Wednesday) to get the paper from the not so local 7 Eleven. A quick read through the bikes and cars, circle what your interested in and set the alarm for 630am to be the first caller.....
The best I remember is my '72 HQ SS that I got in 1994. Lettuce Alone in colour, immaculate houndstooth interior, rare factory auto, air conditioning and big SS Cragar mags. Paid $1800 for it but had to have 2 days off work and catch a train to Tamworth to get it. Front end needed a bit of suspension work. Swapped the sports steering wheel for an original GTS wheel. Took the mags off and put original GTS wheels back on (found in the Trading Post) and then properly painted my first car. Even painted the stripes on the bonnet and boot. Got some new SS stickers from rare spares and put in a new windscreen to replace the old scratched to buggery toughened screen.
Put it on the street for $8500 and it sold the first day! Should of been a "keeper"
-
There is a YZ80b on Evil bay atm the fool starts bids at $500 . It been passed in at not reaching reserve 5 or 6 times now at the highest Ive seen its got to $1450 then passed in again . Why the hell not just say I want $x amount and start from there and stop wasting every ones time .
-
....... Why the hell not just say I want $x amount and start from there and stop wasting every ones time .
My thoughts exactly.
I think there is some sort of BS psychology theory, or maybe moron theory, involved with wasting everyone's time with stupidly low starting bids.
They lose my interest, I usually only bid if the item is for sale. (Reserve met)
-
well if you don't put on a price don't spit the dummy when someone offers you 1/10 what you think its worth.
-
well if you don't put on a price don't spit the dummy when someone offers you 1/10 what you think its worth.
Who's that comment aimed at?
The last two posts have expressed the sentiment that the minimum price SHOULD be stated, not some BS "starting bid".
-
When there is a "this is my start price and I will sell it at this price " you can think OK I'll spend that amount or not . What is the idea behind a hidden reserve price to me the reserve is the start that you will accept why not start from there .
-
well if you don't put on a price don't spit the dummy when someone offers you 1/10 what you think its worth.
Who's that comment aimed at?
The last two posts have expressed the sentiment that the minimum price SHOULD be stated, not some BS "starting bid".
Sorry, not aimed at anyone. Its just some thine I see a lot when people don't put up a price, some one offers what they think and the seller gets insulted as they obviously wanted a lot more.
I agree that a price is best.
Don