Quoted from necro_nemesis

I considered negotiating very Canadian. In fact it was a key aspect of being successful in business. You get what you negotiate.

Rolling over and playing dead for what the going rate was just wouldn't cut it.

Very true.  And that's why anyone who habitually barters like their life depends upon it seems so out of place in this hobby.  We all like a "deal", but unless you are attempting to significantly pad your income through this hobby, you have to keep things in perspective.   Some people get off on the thrill of brow-beating a vendor into submission. That type of misdirected egotism detracts from the general goodwill and enjoyment of the hobby.

Yeah, I used the word 'hobby' a lot.  Sorry.

I completely agree with medvet.  If I am interested in a game I tend to know what I am willing to pay depending on the condition, etc.  I hate negotiating as well.  If this price is not to my liking I will just walk away and thank the person for their time.  I have yet to sell a pin so I can't comment on being at the other end of the deal.  I may be looking at selling my BK in the future (please no PMs for now   ) so I will get a taste for this soon enough.  

Quoted from mrniceguy

Yeah, I used the word 'hobby' a lot.  Sorry.

Which is why I am fine with the going rate if I want something. Goes back to my previous statement of my concern is to be able to exit for what I have in should I not keep the game. I am not overjoyed with losing wheel burrows full of money so just try to negotiate to keep things on an even keel.

Many times it's putting a value on the condition of what you see. There are offsets to fix issues without a doubt. This can get subjective since the seller often looks at the glass being half full or isn't as fussy as you are. If your going to have to pump in hundreds to fix issues that the sellers rose coloured glasses don't see you may have to bring that up in the negotiation. It's called being realistic. It may piss the seller off but usually I start out with this statement when someone is unrealistic about what they have. "Let me be brutally honest" and that really is nothing more than being just that.

If they take offense to stating the obvious, so be it. Goes back to my previous statement, never take anything personally in negotiations.

Good thread.

I have two simple rules.

When buying I do my homework and set a limit at what I am comfortable with paying.  I have no problem paying more for a pin/vid that I know I will really enjoy.  I also ask the seller of the item the following "Since it is your item, what is your best price" ?  If I like it I buy it if not I thank the person for their time and move on.

When selling I price the item fairly or what I would be willing to pay for it. I also show the buyer all the good points and all the bad.  

I simply prefer all my game playing with machines not people.

After all at the end of the day I have to look at myself in the mirror.

Glen-

You are referring to business purchasing which is a whole different story.  Also different industries have different practices.

My wife was a purchaser for Chapters/Indigo for years and another chain previously. Believe it or not, she says it was not about beating down the price according to her. They want to retain a good relationship with vendors. If pricing was not competitive, they would tell their vendor so it can either be addressed or they can see what the difference is.  Larger companies will quickly run out of options if all they do is try to beat the vendor down. Trade shows and vendors reps make sure existing vendors are kept reasonably honest with their pricing.

Wal-Mart might be able to buy for less, but look at the numbers they are able to generate.

IMHO the third-world style of bargaining is not my style. Many people I know would be embarassed to deal that way, although if too much it can be to their detriment also.  I also agree with niceguy Glen that trying to beat someone up on price for sport/ego is another way to lose a popularity contest.

We're getting off topic

The topic is lowballing.

The comment was made about haggling being not Canadian the point I made is in my view it is. Maybe not in the context of pinball so much but still a fact.

On negotiations, I suggest with the numerous project machines, dead, beat whatever that I have bought and resurrected the price cannot be cast in stone. You have to add up the cost of the project and throw a number on it. It's not like pulling your price guide for an average condition working machine. If your going to dig into this hobby deep and do this stuff i.e. restore a POS you need to roll your sleeves up and negotiate period. Walking by sellers in a flea market like your walking through the local mall isn't going to work. They throw a number on it for a pile of parts. You do the math and try and equate that price to a value. Then you discuss or you simply pay if the price is right. It's not getting something for nothing. It's getting something for what it's truly worth to you and your project. If the two happen to meet in the middle your moving forward.

If you want to window shop for finished games, pull out your price guide and offer that if you want it. Don't offer way less, then your lowballing.

I have purchased 10 machines over 12 months and a myriad of pinball parts, etc... and I can say that everyone in this community has been fair with their pricing. I also did my homework in advance and made sure that a reasonable offer was always presented. My experience has been positive, fair and I am glad that I am participating in this hobby. Everyone I meet is full of info, some are full of other stuff  , but nobody has tried to stiff me and that is the way I will conduct business.

Quoted from Ricker

I have purchased 10 machines over 12 months and a myriad of pinball parts, etc... and I can say that everyone in this community has been fair with their pricing. I also did my homework in advance and made sure that a reasonable offer was always presented. My experience has been positive, fair and I am glad that I am participating in this hobby. Everyone I meet is full of info, some are full of other stuff  , but nobody has tried to stiff me and that is the way I will conduct business.

yep.   just cause my prices are high on kijiji it doesn't mean they are that price for maaca members.  as  you know now from buying two different machines off me.
   also most of the ones i had for sale as of late, have been sold to maaca members.  a couple to others that were just looking for christmas presents and i still dropped the price or delivered for free without being asked.  
  when i buy i rarely try to haggle.  i usally pay the askingn price if i feel that is what the machine is worth to me.  

Quoted from gmaranda

If you ask for a fair price for a fair product you will sell but I am more insulted by people that search suckers that don't know the price of things and get sucked in then a guy who lowballs.  You are right about making a name for yourself but again if you can't handle the pressure don't play with the big boys.

So lowballing a guy that is highballing is wrong?  Don't get me wrong, if you know the guy is in a financial bind and you lowball because of that you are abusing a situation and frankly I don't want to know because I can't stand you as a person..........But if you get insulted by lowballing then you should not be in any kind of business because if I sell something $1000 and you offer $500 I will laugh a bit and tell you No and either counter offer or wait.

Lowballing is highly suggestive and frankly if you lowball me....go ahead I find it entertaining not insulting.  What insults me is abusing people.

My two cents

Gilles

I ' m not good at restoring or fixing games . As a matter of fact , i ' ll most likely make it worst if i try and do it myself . So , when i see a game i like and can afford it , i ' ll get in touch with the seller and pay the asking price . I ' ll most likely ask if the price is firm , wich is normal .

It will have to be "plug and play" since i ' m such a foot when it comes to fixing it . But , i may hit on a good title in a mediocre state , drag it out of its dusty basement and sell it AS IS for half the value price . Then , somewhere along the road , i may end up buying it back for the asking price , RESTORED , "plug and play" ...

my 2 cents ...

BTW , my flash gordon is still up for sale in the classifieds . Don ' t be afraid to LOWBALL me . At worst , i ' ll turn your offer down ...