What does this mean to YOU when someone put this in their ad? To me,low ball offers mean anything below 40% to 60% asking price. If I start negotiation with 25% less than asking price, does it mean I am being unreasonable? Just wondering.

 

It means they know they are asking too much.

 

That simply means their price is firm and that you might be able to get a little off but be warned that a significant decrease in price isn't going to happen.

 

I put a car up for sale around $8k a few years ago. People were offering me $6k. Dealers were selling it for $10k. KBB said it was worth $5500.

A low ball would be anything over about 15% if the price was reasonable.

I ended up selling the car for what I was asking to the right buyer. If you had offered me $6K I wouldn't have started the discussion.

That's private sale. Anything goes with dealerships.

 

A lowball just means an unreasonably low price. What is "unreasonable" is going to mean different things to different people. Different selling venues are worse for this than others. Craigslist "shoppers" are notoriously looking for a deal and are usually very eager to rip off people looking for a quick sale.

 

To me the "no low ball offers" in an ad is just kind of dumb. It does not stop anyone from sending you a lousy offer and as a seller I just say "no" or if the offer is insulting, "not even close." Half the time it I see it phrased like "low baller screw off" or something that just makes me think the seller is a jerk. I prefer "serious offers considered" or something like that wording.

I advertised a car for $7k once and it was worth every penny. Some guy calls me and I agree to show him the car. A fat unkempt douchebag who looks like he wandered straight out of a trailer park looks over the car, likes the test drive, and then offers $1,500.

I laughed, got in the car and drove off. He tried to get me to engage with him but I could see it was a complete waste of time. If you are going to show up and look at a car and offer less than 1/3 the asking price, I am not sure putting "No low ball offers" is going to dissuade you from thinking it is going to work.

 

I only ask because my first S2000 was purchased for $4000 less than asking price and its book value. I don't remember what I paid for the CR that I sold anymore but it was still significantly less than original asking price. Maybe because I asked nicely
Now, I am looking for a used fishing boat but people are not really want to negotiate. Some are even selling them for more than what I can get for new

 

I typically save big on car purchases. Last car they wanted $20K, got it for $15.9. My S2000 was going for $23k and got it for $15.7k.

As for boats, probably the wrong time of the year. Friend of mine bought it one for $32k and it's now worth $6-8k (5 years later). How to confirm? His borhter bought the same one with less hours on it for $7K!!

 

Low ball offer to me means an offer that has is well below market value and is not backed by any argument or reasoning.

For example, if I have a 2007 S2000, 50k miles, clean and I list it for $22K. NADA Trade In for this is $18.4K and Retail is $21.5K. I'd consider a low ball offer anything less than $17K unless something is wrong with the car.

 

Everything said above is true.

We will just add "low ball" really depends on the exclusivity/demand of the car as well. A high demand car most likely the seller will be more firm vs. a hard to sell car in a very odd color will most likely be considered.

The wording "low ball" can also be associated with the other famous used car selling phrases:

"Must see to appreciate"
"Mostly highway miles"

Like what are those supposed to mean anyways?