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How to handle insulting lowball offers on Marketplace?

sellingmarketplacenegotiation
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Lachezar_B
Joined:
28.09.2023
Posts: 646
Topic Starter
02.01.2025 21:24
I've been trying to sell some furniture and electronics online lately, but I keep getting people messaging me with offers that are less than half of my asking price. It is honestly getting pretty frustrating because I priced these items fairly based on current listings. Should I even bother replying to these lowballers with a counteroffer, or is it better to just ignore them completely to save my energy? I worry that if I engage, it just invites more haggling, but I also don't want to miss out on a potential sale if they are actually serious.
19 replies in this topic
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monika_p
Joined:
25.09.2020
Posts: 1100
05.02.2025 17:29
Honestly, just ignore them. If they start at 50% of your price, they aren't serious buyers, they're just bargain hunters looking to flip your item.
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Maya_L
Joined:
26.05.2021
Posts: 562
23.03.2025 21:38
In reply to a previous post
I usually reply with a polite 'No thanks, price is firm' and then block them if they push back. Saves a lot of headaches.
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Misho_B
Joined:
21.04.2024
Posts: 404
26.03.2025 16:38
Don't take it personally. Marketplace is full of people who think everything is a garage sale. Just set your price a bit higher to account for the inevitable lowballs.
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Fari_P
Joined:
20.03.2020
Posts: 2183
12.04.2025 20:35
In reply to a previous post
That's good advice. If I list for 100, I expect 70-80. If they offer 50, I just don't respond.
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vuprositel
Joined:
11.11.2021
Posts: 1328
11.05.2025 09:22
In reply to a previous post
I find that replying 'Price is firm' actually invites more negotiation. Ignoring them is the only way to keep your sanity.
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Maistor_Ivan
Joined:
18.02.2020
Posts: 1400
15.05.2025 18:27
I sold a couch last month and had someone offer me 20 bucks for a 300 dollar item. I just sent them a laughing emoji and blocked them.
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Leon_M
Joined:
26.08.2021
Posts: 519
24.05.2025 22:40
In reply to a previous post
Why waste your time with emojis? Just hit delete. You don't owe them a response.
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Iggy_R
Joined:
29.06.2021
Posts: 1973
27.06.2025 00:38
I always put 'Price is firm, no lowballers' in the description. It doesn't stop them completely, but it definitely cuts down on the frequency.
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simon_v
Joined:
18.12.2024
Posts: 2287
05.07.2025 21:33
In reply to a previous post
Does that actually work for you? I feel like people don't even read the descriptions anymore.
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star_vulk
Joined:
23.06.2025
Posts: 215
30.08.2025 17:47
In reply to a previous post
It helps a little. At least I can copy-paste 'As stated in the description, the price is firm' when they message me.
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Yana_P
Joined:
11.12.2021
Posts: 759
09.09.2025 18:59
If someone offers half, I counter with full price plus ten percent. Usually shuts them up real quick.
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Oliviya_T
Joined:
03.08.2021
Posts: 2421
25.09.2025 11:03
In reply to a previous post
That is a hilarious strategy, I might try that next time just for the entertainment value.
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Yani_Z
Joined:
08.02.2022
Posts: 2311
26.10.2025 15:03
I used to be nice and counteroffer, but 99% of the time they just vanish or get rude. It's a waste of time.
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star_vulk
Joined:
27.03.2025
Posts: 2214
31.10.2025 15:26
In reply to a previous post
Exactly. They aren't looking for a deal, they're looking for a sucker.
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ChernaKotka
Joined:
10.08.2022
Posts: 524
21.12.2025 09:45
Try listing on a site with fewer 'casual' browsers if you want a more serious audience. Marketplace is the wild west.
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Marius_C
Joined:
05.07.2021
Posts: 1709
05.01.2026 05:14
In reply to a previous post
Where else would you suggest? eBay has too many fees.
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Nadiya_D
Joined:
15.11.2021
Posts: 1319
16.01.2026 00:29
In reply to a previous post
Local community groups on Facebook are sometimes better than the general Marketplace search. People are less likely to be jerks if they think you're neighbors.
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Yana_P
Joined:
17.06.2023
Posts: 1380
07.02.2026 18:03
I just block anyone who messages me with just a price offer without saying hello. It's a sign they're going to be a difficult buyer.
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Viktoria_S
Joined:
07.02.2021
Posts: 2112
09.02.2026 12:50
In reply to a previous post
That's a solid rule. If they can't be polite, they don't deserve the item.

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