Need some help in negotiating selling an item.

I’m trying to sell an item. It’s worth is in the hundreds. I’ve told the buyer that it’s worth a few hundred dollars. His first offer is $75. In reality I’d like to get $500 for it. What’s the best way for me to get $500 for it? Should I ask him for $750 and go down or should I tell him $500, take it or leave it?

A lot depends on what it is and how you’re communicating with the buyer and how badly you need to sell it.

If you really believe $500 is a good price for it and are not desperate, I’m not sure you should even respond to a $75 offer.

What is it?

Are you dealing with the buyer via voice or e-communication or what?

Do you know the buyer?

I’m communicating with the buyer by e-mail.

I’ve already rejected his offer, now he wants a counteroffer. I’m not desperate to sell it and I don’t need to sell it, but I wouldn’t mind having an extra $500 in my pocket.

No, I do not know the buyer.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Once again pointing out that I’m really in the dark about the contemplated transaction, I’d say don’t counteroffer.

If it’s truly worth ~$500, then he really lowballed you first time out, and the ball’s in his court; i.e., it’s up to him to get your attention again.

If he comes back again with something better than $250, then you can start the $750-is-where-I-start-and-we’ll-give-from-there thing. Just curious, would $750 be a ridiculous sum for the item?

It’s some collector’s item. Without being facetious, I’d have to say that it’s worth whatever he’s willing to pay it for and I’m willing to sell for.

If this guy was a rich dude, then $750 would not be a ridiculous offer. Problem is, I don’t know if he is a well off guy, or just a regular guy.

I’ve thought of not counteroffering, but it doesn’t really matter where his first offer if he first offer was $100 or $200, either offer would still be too low.

However, I do want to counteroffersomething, because for $500, I’d sell it!

Sorry, that post was full of grammatical errors, here we go again:

It’s some collector’s item. Without being facetious, I’d have to say that it’s worth whatever he’s willing to pay for it and what I’m willing to sell it for.

If this guy was a rich dude, then $750 would not be a ridiculous offer. Problem is, I don’t know if he is a well off guy, or just a regular guy.

I’ve thought of not counteroffering, but it doesn’t really matter where his first offer was, if his first offer was $100 or $200, either offer would still be too low.

However, I do want to counteroffer something, because I want to see if I can get $500 for it, it’s a nice chunk of change.

Have you considered placing on bid at eBay? I have put many things up for bid on eBay with incredible results. You would be suprised what someone will pay for your stuff.

All I know so far is little, but I’d still say let him come back to you. The ball is in his court. You’re only going to bring down your ultimate price by responding at this point.

Heh-heh, he maight be a Doper, too.

Try eBay. Set your reserve at $500, and see what happens. You’d be amazed at the collector’s items that sell there. Twinkies, snow, Liberace’s sequin, anything goes.

I disagree with the idea of making him make the next offer. If he doesn’t and walks away, you’ve lost a potential buyer.

Either of your original choices are fine. I would say, “I’m sorry, but $75 is much too low. I’ve been offered $750 in the past.” At least put some context in his mind. Otherwise, even if he does come back with a new offer, it may be $150. In his mind, that’s doubling the original offer, a large increase.

C’mon let us know what it is, we won’t laugh at your collecting habits! Hell, I collect redline Hot Wheels from the 60’s & 70’s. Surely your item has a lower geek factor than that!