BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?

Subject: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: gnu
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 06:15 PM

So, it's an old BBQ. Old tank, almost full, with it. $25. Worth the coin, I figured. The lady spoke less English than I do French. We got along okay. Then, she told me $25 was too expensive for her. She's newly arrived from the West Coast of Africa and I understand her predicament. I said, $20. She said $15. Where do you draw the line without seeming like a prick? I told het to think it over and to come back if she wanted it.

I have made up my mind. If she comes back with $20, I am just gonna give it to her.

Now, here is the nickel part. How do YOU handle those people who offer you a nickel for something that is a steal of a deal at $5? Oh yes, I AM serious. Professional "yard salers" and the ones who sit in front of their PCs and wait for Kijiji listings abound and they waste my time. I have asked (then even told) them to move out of my garage as I am going to shut the door and get back to work.

grumpygnu

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 06:34 PM

My rule is if something is a good deal, and worth the price, I dont insult the seller and argue over the price of a coffee of two. I believe in being fair.

Generally, I prefer to give stuff to folks at the curbside or to the Sally Ann, than reinforce the cheapskate approach. Idea, tell her when garbage day us, that it will be put out, if they prefers to scrounge with the scroungers.

If you want to play mind games, tell her you were offered $ 20 by someone else, and since she was first, she can have it for that price, or it goes to the other person.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 07:18 PM

Gnu, this is nothing new (pardon the homophone).

Many years ago, pre home computer, we had a garage sale. One of the items for sale was a working office manual typewriter. A recent immigrant went through our treasures; everything she pointed to she offered a dime, including the typewriter. My wife and I got a big kick out of her, and often when passing a garage sale, one to the other of us would say, "Dime?", and have a good chuckle.

Fast forward about forty years; the joke's on us. We still have the damned Underwood, because hardly anybody wants a typewriter these days. We could have gotten a cup of coffee for it, but missed out.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 07:29 PM

First nickel- plus postage and packing- gets my Royal.

Er, no, I don'r feel like packing the damned thing.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: gnu
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 07:30 PM

Yeah. Understood. The guys that really bug me are the pros. I know they are just tryin ta make a buck but offering a nickel for everything? Time for you to leave the property, please.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 08:36 PM

A couple issues... some people were raised in cultures where no one believes the asking price- even in stores. Bargaining is expected, and you're considered to be clueless if you agree to the first price mentioned.

The other thing is that some people figure that many owners want to get rid of stuff more than they want a good price.

Oh.. also, some make part of their living buying cheaply enough that they can resell at their own yard sale.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Janie
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 09:02 PM

I'm one of those folks who don't bargain - as buyer or as seller. Which is one reason I rarely go to yard sales, and have never had one. (But I am not a shopper, period - hate having to shop, new retail or thrift.)

I figure if I don't need it and want it out of my hair, it is worth it to me to give it away. No hassle in doing that. But that is purely my personal preference and my own personal cost/benefit analysis. Plus, as a social worker and the mother of a kid just launching himself, (with lots of friends doing the same) it is pretty easy for me to find new homes for stuff I no longer have use for, but other folks might.

Clothes I usually just take to Goodwill, my local helping hand thrift store, etc - or trash - I usually wear things until they are plumb worn out and it would be an insult to some one to try to give it to them or a charitable organization or charitable thrift shop.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: olddude
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 10:15 PM

Me I don't want a nickel I just want to ride my motor cycle

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Aug 14 - 10:59 PM

There are lots of folks who will always argue down the price. I don't waste my time with them. "Come back tomorrow when anything left will be discounted." They usually leave.

It's an insulting process, and they do it as a guilt trip to try to make you give them any profit that you would enjoy. If you give it to them for nothing they can make a lot more when they sell it. Don't stand for it. You can tell who is real and who is pulling a fast one.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Don Firth
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 12:31 AM

I still have my Royal portable typewriter. When I was in high school I took a touch-typing class, and my father bought the typewriter for me with the proviso that I type his occasional business letters for him (he'd write them in longhand, then I'd type them). I used it all through college.

Grey stipple finish, non-reflecting. Same model typewriter that war correspondent Ernie Pyle used during World War II. Solid and durable.

Still works, and I use it occasionally. Nostalgia. Not for sale.

Finding ribbons for it can be tricky, though.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 12:35 AM

I found an old car that I wanted and it was listed for $5000.00 or best offer. I bid $10000.00 and damned if I didn't get it. That's when my wife took over the negotiating.   Louie Roy

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: LadyJean
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 12:54 AM

I am a yard sale junky and I've never argued the price of anything. I got a leather jacket for $5, unworn. The doctor who bought it didn't like the color. It was a charity sale, and I'm betting she deducted the whole cost of the jacket from her taxes, but I'm not complaining.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 03:23 AM

In this case I agree with Bill D. The customer had recently come from Africa. She may have grown up in a place where buying and selling are seen as an important social interaction, and a seller would be disappointed or even insulted if you refused to negotiate.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 06:27 AM

While she may have come from Africa, she now lives in a different cuture where agressive haggling could likely insult many others. IMO, it is a "while in Rome" kinda situation.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 10:03 AM

At one time I was registered on an everything-free giveaway list here in Indianapolis (and I believe lots of other places). There is/was a national (and international?) league of such local lists.

I might list, say, a typewriter, with maybe some specifics. Some list member who wanted it would call the phone number I listed, and the requester and I would arrange a time for him/her to come and pick it up. No cost to either party; no barter required or permitted; payment was prohibited by the rules of the list, as was resale of the article, I seem to recall. The requester had to physically go to the offeror's location; there was no shipping involved.

Every day I'd get an email with a list of things owners in the Indianapolis area wanted to give away. There were furniture items, old computers, horses, boats, mattresses, wheelbarrows, and on and on, all for the asking and taking. Some of the items were brand-new. I finally resigned from the list because of the sheer volume of the daily list--day after day after day.

I've forgotten the name of this service, but I'm sure someone on Mudcat can and will supply it.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 10:25 AM

Freecycle

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: maeve
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 11:02 AM

Yes, as Bruce has said, https://www.freecycle.org/ is likely the organization to which Uncle DaveO referred.

Generally, it takes time and experience to learn the accepted practices of a new culture. As for aggressive haggling, buying for resale and therefore wanting to pay nickles for reasonably priced items- a friend has an effective strategy. When rudely asked for a better price or offered an absurdly low price, he quotes a final price higher than he had listed. When polite, friendly people negotiate, he's a peach without being railroaded.

If I'm selling, I need to make some cash. When I don't need the cash, I donate the item wherever it will be helpful. I know gnu is effective and proactive in both situations.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 11:44 AM

When posting on online sales sites, it is common practice to add 10 percent, or so,to a desired price for haggling room.

A few years ago, I was selling some Alloy rims I no longer needed. I added 10 percent onto my price to appease "the hagglers". A gent immediately offered me my asking price, which I accepted.I expected that he may try and haggle when he arrived, which would be fine with me.

He arrived in his full military uniform, as he was off to work. When he handed me the cash, I said, "I had built in 10 percent for haggling room, and I won't penalize you for kindly not asking for a cheaper price-here is some money back." He took it with a thankful, but puzzled look. He said, "I didn't haggle because it was such a good price". I wished him a good day, and thanked him for his service.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 03:25 PM

Topsie is right. My girlfriend (not the same as last year) is Yoruba although conceived and born in Islington, London and a runner up Miss Nigeria in 1983) and her norm in informal shops is to haggle to an extent to embarrass me. It is a cultural norm. She does not try it in supermarkets though.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 04:08 PM

When does a cultural norm, in a country where it is not the norm, become a case if "just being seen as being rude?"

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 04:19 PM

You mean you cannot tell if somebody has a different cultural background? Sheesh.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 04:27 PM

It depends on one's goals for the sale. If yer gonna pitch stuff that didn't sell, then anyone who's willing to haul off an item for you is helping you. If the goal is financial then some items not selling at a yard sale might do better on Craigslist or in a classified ad. Some communities have FB "yard sale" pages that are actually just free classifieds.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: gnu
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 06:46 PM

"... he quotes a final price higher than he had listed." Do that all the time. >;-) Here's what I say... I asked 100 and you offered 80. Let's split it. 100 - 80 is 20. That's 10... so, the price for YOU is now 110.

Well, she arrived with husband in tow in a BIG brand new SUV. $20 and gave me the address where it should be delivered to tomorrow on Main Street. ??? Ahhh, sorry, but delivery? They began speaking French and I decided I was gonna concentrate REAL hard. She was upset with him and he was givin her the gears. Senegal French ain't Acadian Shaques so I had a hard time but I kept up and offered comments. Damned if she and him CAN speak English all of a sudden. He pointed at my truck and said, "You have a truck. You must deliver." I said, no problem. $50.

He got it in the SUV. I even helped him by supplying nylon cord and tying the thing shut... tho, admittedly, all I wanted to do was get his ass out of there. Heheheee... so did she! She was rather apologetic after he got behind the wheel. We shook hands and I gave her a knowing nod. She replied in kind. I thought I should give her the $20 back for her grief... but, that SUV is worth twice my truck so...........

I hope they enjoy many a BBQ.

Jaysus! Ya practically give shit away and people want more???

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 07:27 PM

Lol gnu-thanks for the final details.
To be annoying, you coulda asked him to bring back the piece of nylon cord :)

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Bert
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 07:37 PM

At yard sales and Craigslist bargaining is part of the fun. But if the price is right I would just snatch it up and not argue.

A nickel is probably about right for a well used paperback.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 07:59 PM

I wonder how many young folks would stoop down to pick up a nickel.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 19 Aug 14 - 08:57 PM

Always open an offer with 5 cents on the dollar.

Seal the deal at 10 cents.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Some folks have an intense sentimental value...their heirs will PAY to have the stuff hauled away Chit is sh*t

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 02:31 AM

Some sellers seem to go in for a kind of reverse haggling, where they state a price and then, when you show an interest, the price goes up!
At that point my usual friendly smile shuts off and I walk away.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: meself
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 02:48 AM

I've been on both sides of these kinds of sales, and I really don't see what the issue is. If someone asks you if you'll take a lower price, and you won't, this is what you say: "No". If you're insulted - well, you get insulted easy, and it's no one else's fault.

Nobody owes you anything - you may think your BBQ is worth $50 - but maybe it's only worth $5 to me, and maybe I'll only take it if I can get it for $5. So what?

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 03:52 AM

You can have mine for $5, meself. But, I charge a $250. restocking fee. (And, then there is shipping, which is on your buck).

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 10:36 AM

I always start my things priced very low, because I want it to move. So when things are moving along and someone comes and suggests I'm charging to much for some item (often something they can sell on eBay for more), I tell them to come back the next day and if it is still there they can discuss a discount. Ten cents on the dollar is pretty standard for garage sale pricing.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Janie
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 12:35 PM

Although I am not comfortable with bargaining, I understand it is often appropriate and expected in many different contexts. Including in our North American culture, Ed. T.

The only time I ever was offended by some one attempting to bargain (offended is different from uncomfortable) was when a potential customer tried to bargain on our prices at a craft show in Miami, Fl. Many years ago. In that context it was absolutely inappropriate and insulting. Our feeling insulted and offended did not phase the couple at all. They simply moved on to the next booth.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 01:11 PM

I love bargaining.

I remember once, when we were very short of money (my twins' dad and I before the twins), we decided to have a yard sale where I would try to unload a bunch of what I was hoarding (clothes, books) and he would try to unload a bunch what he was hoarding (broken microwaves and other electronic things he couldn't fix) - but when he placed the ad, he [against our agreement] didn't mention my stuff, so no women came at all, and he tried to sell all his stuff for what he thought he could get for it if he fixed it, so we didn't unload a single thing and payed for the ad besides.

I laugh now...

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 02:43 PM

If someone is buying a number of items, working with them to move more at a bit more of a savings is one thing. But the people I'm taking about aren't interested in the dynamic of a good discount and dickering, they are intent on making you feel small if you don't knuckle under to their wishes. Good riddance when they leave the yard.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 02:48 PM

The other funny thing that happened at our yard nonsale was that the one working toaster, when turned on to demonstrate that it worked, turned out (by the stench) to have had a dead mouse in it... the customers just politely drifted away like the smell...

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 03:12 PM

Bargaining within reason is fine Janie, insulting a seller, as gnu describes hus experience, seems in the area of being rude to me. If you want to try extreme bargaining,   try doing a "low ball" online and you may find you get a rude response.

The thread brings to mind a yard sale experience:

A few years ago I participated in a street yard sale. One item I put out was a low quality pirtible CD player for 50 cents. A young Asian guy asked me jf he could hear it working, I said sure and spent a considerable time hooking it up and finding a CD to play-results, it clearly worked. He asked me a few technical questions about the player, which I coukd not answer. He then said, I am really looking for a high quality player. Frustrated by wasted time, I could not help by responding "well, maybe you should be looking at other locations, rather than yard sales and select sets with prices somewhat higher than 50 cents. His puzzled lookvseemed to indicate that my comments went completely over his head.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: LadyJean
Date: 20 Aug 14 - 09:48 PM

The Ladies at Pittsburgh's Third Presbyterian Church (On the corner of Fifth and Negley Avenues in Pittsburgh) will usually let you name your own price, within reason at their biannual rummage sales. The next one is in October. They usually have good stuff. If you ask nicely they might also let you see the church's Tiffany Windows. (A friend is active in the church. It was my unwise response to, would you like a kitten? that led to my acquiring a gray and white furry hellion from her.

Subject: RE: BS: Yard sales... a nickel? You serious?
From: gnu
Date: 21 Aug 14 - 05:34 AM

Dead mouse... a bonus!