Make Me An Offer

[Tyranasaurus]

I see a lot of listings with buy it now or make me an offer. It drives me mad, just put the buy it now as what you want me to pay, don't make me mess about haggling with you, and end up feeling like I've over paid.

Anyway, sellers, and experienced buyers, what should I be offering in this situation?

[Lweji]

Check out similar items online and offer an amount a bit lower than you want to pay. Set up a limit and stick to it.

[TheColdDoesBotherMeAnyway]

I don't see the point of this at all. I made an offer on a bunkbed, I offered just below the BIN price and he didn't accept it, if all he wanted was the BIN price why bother with make me an offer?

[Lweji]

Maybe he wants people to make higher and higher offers, as in an auction, you know, like eBay used to be. ;)

[TheColdDoesBotherMeAnyway]

Yes but my offer was really, really close - think one price point below BIN - anyone making a higher offer would have been offering the BIN price. I didn't out of stubbornness

[Lweji]

he probably thought you'd go up to the BIN price.
I don't think you're supposed to accept the first offer when bartering.

[PigletJohn]

If it doesn't sell and it is re-listed, offer LESS next time.