What's my best price? I feel like my blood boils and then I think I'll let you be the judge of it, and this is where I pull out an old auction or exemplary sale from the past and let them figure it out... But sometimes I just want to ignore them outright but we just can't...at least that's what I think...but my God I'm glad someone understands, I thought I was crazy.

But I think we would all benefit and save ourselves the stress by saying something on the listing like, "please no 'what's your best price' inquiry" or "please no 'what's your best price' inquiry, there's a resource called the Internet use it to find what the price ranges are for previously completed sales and then go from there..." or "please no 'what's your best price' inquiry, your email will not be given weight" (I know I sound like an email spam filter)...lol

But you know that is an annoying question when it boils down to it...

~George

: No. I'm not selling anything.. but wanted to discuss this question.
: :0)

: We all seek watches, trade them, hunt them, and occasionally sell
: them. Many would agree that the hunt is a good part of the fun..
: then when you've found said watch, it gets down to the business
: end, and a nice little bit of negotiation can also be fun.

: It wasn't that long ago that someone would advertise a watch for
: sale, lets say at $3000. Then people would contact the seller,
: and propose an offer.. something along the lines of "Hi X,
: I've been after one of these for some time.. yours is a lovely
: example. Would you be interested of an offer of $2500?".
: Obviously every possible transaction is unique.. but on the whole,
: the reply to that offer may be "Hi Y, thanks for your
: offer", then usually followed by one of the following:
: "Lets split the difference, and call it $2750?" or
: "Sorry no, that's too low" or "Yes, I'd be happy
: with that" or "Sorry, that's a little too low, I'd go
: to $2850". You can see where I'm going - it's a nice little
: conversation, where you get to have a little banter about the
: watch, the price, and along the way build up a little rapport.
: In essence, the buyer makes the seller an offer, and hopefully
: some common ground it met.

: Now it seems that a new way of doing it is becoming more and more
: common.. where the potential buyer wants the seller to make them
: an offer.
: So.. the seller receives an email that goes a little like this
: "Hi, what's your best price?". I don't like this
: much.. maybe it's just me, maybe others think it's ok.
: Essentially there is nothing wrong with it, but it seems to have
: an edge to it, it appears less friendly than the old way. Funny
: thing is.. I've even found myself starting to do it, but only
: when contacting a dealer, and I try to be more pleasant about
: it.

: I feel that it's a strange question to ask.. because, lets be silly
: for a minute.. if I'm selling a watch at $3000.. and the
: question is "What's the best price?".. well, that's
: simple.. my best price would be $10,000. That would really make
: my day!! Yes, that's silly.. but it illustrates the point. My
: best price, being sensible would be $3000. I know I'm being a
: little facetious , but it's kinda true. Essentially what is
: happening is that the 'offer making' has been reversed.. now the
: seller has to second-guess the possible buyer, and make them an
: offer of what they think they would pay - it's all a bit
: strange.

: Is it just me? What's your best answer? ;0)

: Stewart
: Heuerville