When looking to purchase an item on Facebook Marketplace, you may want to offer a price lower than what the seller is asking. This is known as making a lowball offer. While lowballing can sometimes work in your favor, it requires careful consideration to be successful.
Should You Lowball on Facebook Marketplace?
The first question to ask yourself is whether lowballing is appropriate for the particular item and situation. Here are some factors to consider:
- How long has the item been listed? If it’s been up for sale for weeks with no takers, the seller may be more motivated to accept a lower price.
- What condition is the item in? You’ll have more room to negotiate if it’s used or has any defects.
- How many other sellers have the same or similar item listed in your area? More competition means less reason for the seller to come down much on the price.
- Is the item priced fairly based on its value? If it seems overpriced to begin with, lowballing may be reasonable.
In general, lowball offers are best suited for items that have been listed for a long time, are in less than perfect condition, or are seemingly overpriced compared to their value. Sellers who are highly motivated to make a quick sale are also more likely to consider an aggressively low offer.
How Low Should You Go?
Once you’ve decided a lowball offer is appropriate, the next question is how low to go. There’s something of an art to finding that sweet spot between an offer too high and one that will instantly get rejected or even offend the seller. Here are some tips:
- Check comparable listings to see what prices are fair and reasonable for the item in its current condition.
- Factor in your own maximum budget, and how much you’d be willing to pay. Don’t lowball below a price you’d actually be happy with.
- For used items, cut the asking price by 15-25% for your initial offer. You can come up a bit for your counteroffer.
- On higher priced items, aim for 10-15% less than asking price.
- Consider bundle listings. Offer 25-35% below the combined asking price if buying multiple items.
Keep in mind that condition, quality, rarity, and other factors also play a role in determining how low to go. The percentages above are general guidelines, but use your own judgment as well.
How to Make a Lowball Offer Politely
Simply messaging the seller with a low number risks coming across as rude or insulting. Here are some tips for making a lowball offer in a polite, tactful way:
- Give an explanation or reason for your lower offer, such as a tight budget or noticing wear and tear.
- Use phrases like “I hope you’ll consider” or “Would you take” to sound more polite.
- Mention being a serious buyer who is ready to purchase immediately.
- Ask if there is any flexibility or wiggle room on the price.
- Keep your messaging short, simple and honest without guilt-tripping or pressuring.
For example: “Hi! I’m interested in the dining table but I’m on a tight $150 budget. I noticed a few scratches on the corners in the photos. Would you consider $150 if I pick it up today? I’m ready to buy immediately.” This focuses on your own situation and limitations rather than attacking the seller’s listed price.
What to Expect
When making a low offer, be prepared for a few possible outcomes:
- Instant rejection – The seller may reply right away refusing your offer or ignoring the message altogether.
- Counteroffer – They may come back with a counter offer that meets somewhere between your offer and asking price.
- Acceptance – Best case, the seller agrees to your original low offer. This is less common but can happen if they are motivated.
- Insulted response – In rare cases, an exceptionally low offer could irritate the seller and prompt an angry reply.
If your offer is instantly rejected, it doesn’t hurt to try one more time politely, but move on if they still say no. Wait for a counteroffer and negotiate from there if you are open to paying more. If they accept – great! Be ready to pay promptly.
Following Through
The process doesn’t end once your lowball offer is accepted. Make sure you follow through professionally:
- Pay as soon as possible via the seller’s preferred payment method.
- Pick up the item promptly if doing local pickup.
- Inspect the item to ensure it matches the listing description before finalizing the transaction.
- Leave positive feedback for the seller afterwards.
- Be polite and friendly throughout the process.
Following through builds goodwill and your reputation as a serious buyer. Leaving the seller hanging after acceptance could warrant negative feedback.
When Lowballing Backfires
While snagging an item below asking price can be a score, lowballing does have some risks and downsides to watch for:
- Repeated low offers on multiple listings can damage your reputation with sellers.
- Demanding or entitled messaging tends to backfire rather than producing results.
- Offensively low offers may result in angry responses or even blocked accounts.
- Too much back and forth negotiation can waste time for both parties.
- Low prices can be a warning sign something is wrong with the item’s condition.
Find a balance between offering fair prices that sellers will realistically consider, while still pushing for your own best deal.
Alternatives to Lowball Offers
Rather than immediately lowballing, here are a few other negotiating tactics to try:
- Ask if their price is firm first, or if they have any flexibility.
- Explain your budget constraints and see if they will work with you.
- Request a small discount of 5-10% off the asking price.
- Offer to pay their full asking price in exchange for faster pickup or cash payment.
- Suggest a trade of items rather than cash.
Getting a feel for the seller’s expectations first can reveal more room to negotiate gently rather than lowballing. Factors like a flexible schedule or payment methods can also give you more bargaining power.
When to Pay Asking Price
While you naturally want the best deal possible, there are certain situations where you should expect to pay the full asking price, or close to it:
- New in-demand items that are already fairly priced based on retail value.
- Unique vintage or rare collector’s items.
- Items already discounted significantly below retail.
- Listings that say “price firm” or “no lowballs.”
Sellers are less willing to haggle in these cases. Pushback could even risk losing out on the item to another buyer unwilling to lowball.
Conclusion
With the right approach, making a politely low offer can score you great deals on secondhand items. Just be selective in situations where it is appropriate, and be prepared to negotiate rather than insisting on an unreasonably lowball number. Building seller relationships leads to more successful haggling than demands and aggression. Remember to follow up respectfully once an offer is accepted as well. With some thriftiness and negotiation skill, Facebook Marketplace can be a goldmine for bargain hunting.