Seller: "Ill just keep it" tactics in negotiation

[drcy]

A few points:

1) It sounds as if you can't find that particular card being sold by someone else (or you would have bought it from that person at desired price), so the seller has more leverage than just 'market price.' If this is the only one on the market and you're trying to procure it, this transaction is the market at this point and time.

2) "I'll keep it" is a literally correct phrase. There was a recent post complaining about sellers making up lies for why they won't sell, and this guy is telling you straight. He's keeping the card.

3) As a seller, I (and I know others) get quickly tired of 'negotiation types.' Back and forth negotiations get old quickly for me. I've also had buyers ask for the lowest price I'll sell, I'll calculate the price and the buyer will offer a lower price. My thought is "I just was honest and gave you my lowest price." It's an insult to my honesty because I'm an honest person. So people who like negotiating a lot can get tiresome and after a while I'll say "Forget this, I'm just keeping the card. I don't want to sell it anymore. I'd rather be watching telelvision."

4) The market value can be low. I think there are items that are currently way undervalued, there are baseball cards that have proven to be undervalued over time. If the market prices were always accurate, prices would never rise or fall.

5) Did you make an offer below market value? Do you make offers elsewhere below market value? If so, then what's with this 'market value as final arbiter of sales price' argument? If you can make an offer below market value, then why can't a seller go above it?

6) As a seller, I know the ultimate power in negotiations is I when don't have to sell something. A seller should never say before negotiations "I need money quick and have to sell this asap." There's nothing I have to sell. If I throw it all in dumpster, I'll still have a place to live and food to eat.

7) If you are rude to my mother or other customers at her garage sale, she will refuse to sell you anything at any price. She'll throw the stuff away before she sells to you. It has nothing to do with money or market value. At that point, trying to make those arguments with her is pointless. And before you try and be tricky and lowball her, realize that my mother is always this far (my index finger 1/4th inch in front of thumb) from giving the stuff to charity, so if sellers are rude or unreasonable or offers are low she will give the stuff away to charity. Often times she's having the garage sale to raise money for a charity.

And I can promise you that if you say to my mom "You have to sell it at market value," she will say "I don't have to do anything. It's mine."

My dad had a colleague who once asked him in the hallway if he was going to that afternoon's departmental meeting and my dad said he wasn't. The colleague asked why not and my dad said "Because I don't want to." The uptight follow rules and order colleague couldn't even fathom that as a reason for not going. "Not wanting to" as a reason fell outside his logic system. This story comes to mind when people state 'written in stone' rules such as "You have to sell at market price. That's the rule." My dad would respond "There are options other than selling at market price. One is to go to lunch. Another is to take a nap."

[Sean]

David, I thought that was a really good reply.

[detroitbaseball]

"Somebody asked me if my club was for sale. What a ridiculous question! Of course it is for sale! So is my hat and my overcoat and my watch. Anyone who wants them can have them, at a price. I will dispose of my holdings in the Red Sox at any time, for my price." - Harry Frazee (owner of the Boston Red Sox 1916-1923)

Ken Burns' Baseball, 4th Inning: 1920-1930

[Runscott]

The other thing about David's mother is that if you were really, really nice to her, she would probably give you the item for free.

[Exhibitman]

Great stuff, David!

"I don't want to": People forget the power of "no." That's what anyone with a 'standard form contract' counts on. There is a great sci-fi story "And Then There Were None" by Eric Frank Russell where the core value of the planet in question is "Freedom-I won't", which is used to undermine the wannabe military invaders from earth. Though it can bite you in the behind sometimes. I had one client who got a deposit for some efx work on a film, the job cancelled, and he asked if he could keep the deposit. I asked whether the contract said it was non-refundable, he said no, so I told him to give it back. His response: "I don't want to." He got sued.

Also 1,000% agree on rude people. I'd rather not deal than deal with an a-hole. Life's too short for that.

As for undercutting the lowest price, that happens so frequently that I tell my clients in negotiations never, ever issue a final figure unless you are ready to go to court if it is not met. Blows your credibility to smithereens if you issue an ultimatum and then you move from it. I had another case where the opposing counsel wrote me a letter [four pages worth; Hollywood...] stating that his client would never pay a dime, never, ever, ever, no negotiations, etc. I called him up and asked whether he was authorized to accept service of process on behalf of his client. His response: Well, aren't you going to negotiate? I said no, you wrote no negotiations, and I am accepting your statement at face value. Made for a very awkward moment for him.

I heard one great smartass reply to what's your lowest price: What's your highest price?

[bobbyw8469]

If someone wants one of them they are going to have to dazzle me with their offer because I can't just go replace it on eBay.

I used this EXACT statement when someone wanted one of my Sport Kings. I can't buy it for the price he was offering. If someone wants one of my cards, they better step up to the plate. If they want to steal a card, then they are free to bid on them via auctions the same way I am.

[bobbyw8469]

I heard one great smartass reply to what's your lowest price: What's your highest price?

LMFAO!!! Love this!! I am so using this one!

[tschock]

"+1 to whoever said most pointless thread of the day. If not, then let me be the first." he said, in crotchety old-man mode.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by drcy

7) If you are rude to my mother or other customers at her garage sale, she will refuse to sell you anything at any price. She'll throw the stuff away before she sells to you. It has nothing to do with money or market value. At that point, trying to make those arguments is pointless. And before you try and be tricky and lowball her, realize that my mother is always this far (my index finger 1/4th inch in front of thumb) from giving the stuff to charity, so if sellers are rude or unreasonable or offers are low she will give the stuff away to charity. Often times she's having the garage sale to raise money for a charity.

I place a certain dollar value on having to deal with nits. If I didn't, I would still be earning good money working for corporate America. I honestly believe that most people can't think outside of dollars and products. That's why God invented Tums.

[steve B]

To me that's really cool.

My mother is also pretty tough to deal with at yard sales or flea markets. One time I got back from shopping the flea market and she told me to go shop some more. when I asked why she mentioned the card vultures who were hovering at the end of the row waiting for me to leave. They figured on taking advantage of the old lady while I was gone. Bad bad choice. I had stuff marked at catalog price, and had given her the list of the 3-4 cards I wouldn't take less for. The rest I said she could sell for whatever she could get. Which turned out to be around 90% of high Beckett. I almost felt bad.

Steve B

Originally Posted by drcy

7) If you are rude to my mother or other customers at her garage sale, she will refuse to sell you anything at any price. She'll throw the stuff away before she sells to you. It has nothing to do with money or market value. At that point, trying to make those arguments with her is pointless. And before you try and be tricky and lowball her, realize that my mother is always this far (my index finger 1/4th inch in front of thumb) from giving the stuff to charity, so if sellers are rude or unreasonable or offers are low she will give the stuff away to charity. Often times she's having the garage sale to raise money for a charity.

And I can promise you that if you say to my mom "You have to sell it at market value," she will say "I don't have to do anything. It's mine."

My dad had a colleague who once asked him in the hallway if he was going to that afternoon's departmental meeting and my dad said he wasn't. The colleague asked why not and my dad said "Because I don't want to." The uptight follow rules and order colleague couldn't even fathom that as a reason for not going. "Not wanting to" as a reason fell outside his logic system. This story comes to mind when people state 'written in stone' rules such as "You have to sell at market price. That's the rule." My dad would respond "There are options other than selling at market price. One is to go to lunch. Another is to take a nap."