4 ms·

For what its worth, 20% off of the retail price for a used item on CL seems like such a huge risk to me. I have gotten enough stuff off of CL where I didn't dis

For what its worth, 20% off of the retail price for a used item on CL seems like such a huge risk to me. I have gotten enough stuff off of CL where I didn't discover some issue with the item until I got home that I now generally won't even consider a listing that isn't 50% or more below retail (I mostly go to CL for "bespoke" stuff though, so often there is no "retail" price to compare to). When you add in the time and effort to respond to listings and then drive out, etc... it makes even less sense. So you most likely are getting those responses because a large chunk of the CL buyers are in the market for prices at that level. A 20% discount feels like something you can get from the retailer if you just wait for a sale. But I guess, CL is popular enough where if you have the time to wait it out, you might eventually find a a buyer. But still seems insane to me that anyone would take that deal considering the risks. Also, FWIW, there is no reason you can't counter offer in those cases. Considering the amount of time and effort it takes to meet in person, it is probably better that the price be pre-negotiated via e-mail before meeting in person. I certainly would never show up in person and try to get a lower price on the spot. The few times I have lowballed via e-mail (I was/am looking for a really niche item, and the only suitable listing has been sitting on CL for weeks) I got counter offered. It was still too high for my tastes, but the listing is still there so I might try again in a few weeks!

eropple 5y ago
So I'm a professional in this space and I don't have the mental energy to bother with counter-offering when I know a fair price for the thing. Two seconds of looking at the thing will verify that yes, it has under 300 shutter activations, and yes, the body, EVF, and sensor are in fine shape, and yes, it's coming with a lens (kit, so nothing special, but still worth a few bucks) when the body doesn't normally. "$800 firm" means something. The alternative to "sell at a fair price on both sides" is "no sale", not "sell at a stupid price." I kept the camera and still use it instead. I was getting rid of it because it wasn't 100% what I wanted in my studio space, but it's fine (just not delightful) as a B or a C camera; 80% of what I could optimally do with a different model is worth way more than taking an extra $300 bath. Eventually I'll sell on eBay and get what I'm looking for that way--I didn't want to bother with shipping, but wasting my time with unserious offers makes that a lot more appealing. (And we aren't even getting into the significant mental effort of engaging with the ridiculous set of scammers trying to get you to fall for their fake-Zelle-notification stuff.)
- qqqwerty 5y ago
  Right, I am not saying it isn't a fair price. I am just letting you know what the typical buyer on CL is likely thinking. Because CL is generally in person transactions, frequently in cash, the buyer has no recourse. On ebay, if someone thinks you sold them a bad camera, they can dispute the transaction. The risk is generally higher for the CL buyer, so naturally they look to be compensated for it with deeper discounts.
  - eropple 5y ago
    Yeah I get that. Just saying that negotiation requires both sides to think that that risk discount is fair. We're pretty much in agreement. ;)

eropple 5y ago

So I'm a professional in this space and I don't have the mental energy to bother with counter-offering when I know a fair price for the thing. Two seconds of looking at the thing will verify that yes, it has under 300 shutter activations, and yes, the body, EVF, and sensor are in fine shape, and yes, it's coming with a lens (kit, so nothing special, but still worth a few bucks) when the body doesn't normally. "$800 firm" means something. The alternative to "sell at a fair price on both sides" is "no sale", not "sell at a stupid price." I kept the camera and still use it instead. I was getting rid of it because it wasn't 100% what I wanted in my studio space, but it's fine (just not delightful) as a B or a C camera; 80% of what I could optimally do with a different model is worth way more than taking an extra $300 bath. Eventually I'll sell on eBay and get what I'm looking for that way--I didn't want to bother with shipping, but wasting my time with unserious offers makes that a lot more appealing. (And we aren't even getting into the significant mental effort of engaging with the ridiculous set of scammers trying to get you to fall for their fake-Zelle-notification stuff.)

qqqwerty 5y ago
Right, I am not saying it isn't a fair price. I am just letting you know what the typical buyer on CL is likely thinking. Because CL is generally in person transactions, frequently in cash, the buyer has no recourse. On ebay, if someone thinks you sold them a bad camera, they can dispute the transaction. The risk is generally higher for the CL buyer, so naturally they look to be compensated for it with deeper discounts.
- eropple 5y ago
  Yeah I get that. Just saying that negotiation requires both sides to think that that risk discount is fair. We're pretty much in agreement. ;)