DH sold some more of his "A" stuff and has $1400 to do with as he pleases. He wants to use this money to buy a 2009 Honda Ruckus (basically it is a moped) that he's found on craigslist. The guy is asking $1700 for it which is right around the book value for it. DH is going to meet up with him tomorrow to see the bike and if he likes it, I told him to offer the guy $1400 cash as a firm offer since that's how much he's got. DH thinks that is not enough, that $1500 would be more reasonable and then they might settle in the middle at $1600. DH has never been a good negotiator so I'm afraid that he'll sway from a firm $1400 price (if he really likes the bike). I mean, it's not like we don't have the extra $200 for this but... you know how our budget conscious frugal minds work here on SA! At $1400, that is like a discount of 18% off the asking price... anyone have this kind of luck negotiating a deal before with a purchase off of craigslist?
Negotiating on item off craigslist?
June 30th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
June 30th, 2010 at 10:48 pm 1277934489
It would be fair to say, "I only have $1400." But only if he can live with the guy possibly turning down the offer. If it's a good price, and hard to find elsewhere, it may end up costing more. It never hurts to ask, but I would only do a "$1400 firm offer," if I were willing to walk away from the deal.
I don't buy much off Craigslist, but as a seller I always ask about 10% more than I expect. Most people don't even think to haggle. I don't know if sellers are the same way. Don't get me wrong - some of them are MASTER negotiators. Those are just rare!
July 1st, 2010 at 04:33 pm 1277998395
July 2nd, 2010 at 03:47 pm 1278082067
Jerry