Sale threads without prices

[Craig2]

There are no rules about this, but has anyone else noticed that it seems to be the case more often than in the past? I will make offers sometimes, but I find that it can be awkward without a starting point.

I've even heard complaints from collectors on other sites about how often it happens here...I know some sites require prices, has that ever been a requirement here?

[suncactus9]

I agree that it can be a recipe for disaster, when the seller isn't listing his asking price on a card he has for sale. Inevitably it ends with the seller feeling "low-balled" by any proposed offer.

I don't understand during negotiations why people get all bent out of shape. If I have a card I'm asking $100 for, and somebody offers me $20, I just say "no thanks" and move on!

[30ranfordfan]

It's never been a rule here, no.


My personal preference - unless you've got something I REALLY want, I'm not likely to make an offer, unless you tell me what you're looking for. I would bet that if you go through the sales threads in the forum here though, you'll notice that people who list their asking prices for cards do MUCH better in selling them. Lots of members like you & me. Don't like making offers without knowing what the guy holding it thinks it's worth.

While I don't really respond much to sales threads with dollar figures, I also don't see the harm in people asking for offers. If that's how you want to conduct your sales, all power to you.

[Goose97]

It's never been a rule here, no.


My personal preference - unless you've got something I REALLY want, I'm not likely to make an offer, unless you tell me what you're looking for. I would bet that if you go through the sales threads in the forum here though, you'll notice that people who list their asking prices for cards do MUCH better in selling them. Lots of members like you & me. Don't like making offers without knowing what the guy holding it thinks it's worth.

While I don't really respond much to sales threads with dollar figures, I also don't see the harm in people asking for offers. If that's how you want to conduct your sales, all power to you.

Here here!! I couldn't agree any more!

If your looking at possibly doing a haggling dance, you as the seller must set the needle in the groove! Otherwise you won't see too many interested partners, and they will not be too willing to take the lead on Your floor!(life lesson to be learned here too I thinks)

[dornhoffer]

It doesnt bother me either way. As a aeller I get more tired of the guys who offer $17 for a hot card with a bv of 60 that's currently selling for $110 , but like you said ...without posted prices, you're going to get all kinds of offers. When I see a thread like that as a buyer I will make an offer I am comfortable with. only 2 things can happen

[RGM81]

It's not a huge gripe for me either way. If I see a thread with a card I want, chances are I have a pretty good idea in mind what it's going for and what I'd offer. Usually only takes a quick PM to get things going anyways. A lot of sellers also prefer to negotiate prices privately, and that works just fine. You see a lot of threads these days where the seller lists his prices and inevitably someone that wasn't going to buy anything in the topic anyways will leave a "good luck with that" type comment and start a flame war.

[ncm7772]

inevitably someone that wasn't going to buy anything in the topic anyways will leave a "good luck with that" type comment and start a flame war.

Yep, that's what bothers me the most out of all the things discussed ITT.

[Fred Bear]

It's another double-edged sword of the hobby...

Post prices and you're 'asking too much'. I've listened to guys who gripe and won't contact someone with posted prices because 'they want too much for their cards.'

Don't post prices and you're 'trolling for offers'. I've heard others who gripe because they won't contact someone without posted prices because 'they don't know what they want for their cards and it's not worth making offers.'

I used to believe that you 'had' to post prices to get enough of a response... I quit that...

When I've posted prices, I've gotten, as Richard points out, folks who call you 'crazy', I'm sure there are folks who never contacted me because my prices were 'too high', I've made some sales, and I've gotten some low-ball offers.

Without prices, I'm sure there are folks who never contacted me because 'I don't know what I want for my cards', I've made some sales, and I've gotten some low-ball offers.

See the difference... I just don't ever get called crazy in my sale threads when I don't post a price (they do it by PM when I give them pricing).

Two things to remember...

(1) Negotiating tactics... Giving the first price is considered a weak position from which to negotiate. Perspective wins out. This is why, in general, all offers are 'low' and asking prices are 'high'. The 'buyer' or 'seller' is trying to shade towards their side... If you are trying to be 'fair', you can feel confident in giving a price and sticking to it.

(2) People who want cards try to get them... I'm confident that every sale I make is going to be made irregardless of whether or not I list a price. If I have a card someone wants and I'm willing to be fair with them (and they with me), we'll get to a price which works for both of us - no matter who makes the first offer of price.

[cbjhockey61]

It's another double-edged sword of the hobby...

Post prices and you're 'asking too much'. I've listened to guys who gripe and won't contact someone with posted prices because 'they want too much for their cards.'

Don't post prices and you're 'trolling for offers'. I've heard others who gripe because they won't contact someone without posted prices because 'they don't know what they want for their cards and it's not worth making offers.'

I used to believe that you 'had' to post prices to get enough of a response... I quit that...

When I've posted prices, I've gotten, as Richard points out, folks who call you 'crazy', I'm sure there are folks who never contacted me because my prices were 'too high', I've made some sales, and I've gotten some low-ball offers.

Without prices, I'm sure there are folks who never contacted me because 'I don't know what I want for my cards', I've made some sales, and I've gotten some low-ball offers.

See the difference... I just don't ever get called crazy in my sale threads when I don't post a price (they do it by PM when I give them pricing).

Two things to remember...

(1) Negotiating tactics... Giving the first price is considered a weak position from which to negotiate. Perspective wins out. This is why, in general, all offers are 'low' and asking prices are 'high'. The 'buyer' or 'seller' is trying to shade towards their side... If you are trying to be 'fair', you can feel confident in giving a price and sticking to it.

(2) People who want cards try to get them... I'm confident that every sale I make is going to be made irregardless of whether or not I list a price. If I have a card someone wants and I'm willing to be fair with them (and they with me), we'll get to a price which works for both of us - no matter who makes the first offer of price.

Agree 100% Well said

[dre2112]

90% it's a waste of time contacting people who don't post prices because they want 150% BV when you PM them about prices for cards they have for sale.

If someone shows a price and it's even remotely reasonable, I am more willing to contact them and negotiate because of my experiences in the past with people who don't list their prices.