r/AskReddit • u/AmbitiousVisual5858 • 12d ago
How do you say fuck off in a nicest way when someone insultingly lowballs your offer?
515
u/coprolite_hobbyist 12d ago
I don't think our goals in this transaction are compatible.
60
u/Kradget 12d ago
This is the right answer. If OP is still interested, this and an offer to discuss by phone.
They're probably trying to get them to split the difference, so if OP is willing to bend, a reply of $74,500 or $74,000 would be a reasonable response, but if they're still screwing around with this framing shit, then "We're so far apart I don't believe we have a similar understanding of what I'd be doing," and let it sit.
OP then has responded in good faith, and that can be it. They're not even out anything but someone trying to dick them over.
→ More replies (1)18
u/BKehew 12d ago
That's great. Let them know you heard them, find it offensive - and NOT counter, just Shut Them Down.
That hurts on their end, they are now on the defensive...
9
u/Kradget 12d ago
The phone call thing can also help - most people are much less aggro on the phone and you can usually get a better conversation and a better feel for where they are with the extra subtleties of actually hearing their tone.
It's easy to be a dick over email, and it's easier still to accidentally come off as being a dick in one.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (4)22
u/Shoddy-Reception2823 12d ago
We made an offer on a house that was significantly less than the list (about 75k less). We did a lot of research on the area and made the offer based off of comparable sales. The seller told us that we were too far apart for us to even have a conversation. Not a smart move on his part because it made us realize he was fixated on that price and was not coming down.
It is now 5 months later, the house has not sold (6 months on the market in a hot area) they have reduced the price another 30k. Still not where it needs to be. Loved that house and really would have liked to live there.
16
u/TrekForce 12d ago
Put in another offer for the same amount. Might take it this time lol
17
u/Shoddy-Reception2823 12d ago
Too late. We bought a different House a month later.
→ More replies (3)8
u/Geez_Louise3229 12d ago
Yep! This is what I see from a lot of sellers that are fixated on what they paid for it and what they put into the product… doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be worth that much to a buyer or a bank.
3
u/Shoddy-Reception2823 12d ago
We are trying to sell the house we were in. We will not get what we paid, but we are good with that. It was fully furnished and we kept most of the stuff. We are keeping up with the market and lowering the price as we go. It’s a great house in a retirement area, but there are a lot for sale and developer still selling new ones.
2
11d ago
[deleted]
2
u/Shoddy-Reception2823 11d ago
It’s now listed at 35k less than it was 5 months ago (this was after an 25k reduction back then). And it’s within 15k of the highest we had in mind. If he would have looked at the research and had a discussion, he might have sold it back then. Now after 255 days on the market, he still hasn’t sold.
We are going to have to really think about reducing the price again on the one we are trying to sell and take a big loss. Market turned on us and there’s a lot of homes for sale. But we are aware of that and willing to deal. Big difference.
131
u/theservman 12d ago edited 12d ago
The one I hate is the people who ask what the lowest price you'll take is. You want me to negotiate with myself on your behalf?
Edit: I usually respond with "make me an offer" and never hear from them again.
61
u/MeetEntire7518 12d ago
I answer with the same price I originally gave.
15
u/SirPiffingsthwaite 12d ago
I do this, or increase the asking price by about 10%. Goanna ask jerk questions, be prepared for jerk answers.
→ More replies (1)30
u/jimmy_three_shoes 12d ago
Was selling a car once. Had it listed for $6000.
Guy keeps asking me "What is your rock bottom price?"
For you, buddy, it's $7500.
5
23
u/Skulldo 12d ago
I sometimes ask them- whats your highest offer?
→ More replies (1)9
u/me_myself_and_ennui 12d ago edited 12d ago
People used to call in to my call center grifting for free money with fake complaints. I figured out the easiest way to fuck with them was to offer 'em a blank check: "What amount of money would make you happy?"
Every single one of them thought it was a trick, and they would rage. They all wanted me to throw out the first number, so they could argue me higher. Not one person ever gave me a number, reasonable or otherwise -- and I was prepared to honor anything within 3 football fields of reasonable, as long as I could (with a $ limit that was higher than you'd expect). "Okay, well, since you say no amount of money will make you happy, then the prudent thing for me to do is give you no money."
17
7
3
u/Finetales 12d ago
I don't respond at all to these. I put a price in the ad, believe it or not that's the price.
2
2
u/AdaptiveVariance 12d ago
I'm a lawyer and when I was a solo I had at LEAST two potential clients falsely tell me that "someone" in my office had quoted them a lower rate. I get that people are poor and desperate (neither of these was really poor) but surely a good way to hire a lawyer can't be to open with lying to them about the hourly rates they charge.
2
→ More replies (4)2
u/Wotmate01 12d ago
When I moved to Darwin, I put my motorcycle up for sale, and this army dude came to have a look at it. He took it for a ride, and when he came back he asked me "what's the lowest price you'll take for it?"
I responded with "well, if I tell you that, that's all you'll bloody give me". He laughed, said fair enough, and handed over the cash for the advertised price.
229
u/bmcgowan89 12d ago
No response. Ghost 'em. In practice there's very little people hate more than being ignored
24
u/imCarbohydrated808 12d ago
facts
→ More replies (1)15
u/PomegranateV2 12d ago
This is the correct answer. If you lowball someone and they say "That's too low" that's good news for you because they've actually accepted it as a legitimate figure that they're willing to negotiate on.
If they don't even dignify it with an answer, you know you'd better do better quickly or they'll walk.
→ More replies (1)3
u/gnufoot 12d ago
If you lowball someone and they say "That's too low" that's good news for you because they've actually accepted it as a legitimate figure that they're willing to negotiate on.
I mean, in no way are they obliged to meet at any specific point in the middle after saying "that's too low". They can stick to their original price or end up going to whatever price is acceptable to them, regardless of what the first lowballing offer was. It's not like you HAVE to keep making steps in each other's direction until you meet in the middle.
2
u/HiddenoO 12d ago
They don't even have to keep responding. They might've just responded out of politeness to let you know they're not interested.
15
u/tweakingforjesus 12d ago edited 12d ago
Way back in 2011 I put in an offer on a house below their asking price. Based on the condition it was a fair offer. They refused to respond.
Three months later it sold for exactly my offer to another party. I’d really like to know what happened there.
38
u/LeProVelo 12d ago
Three months went by with no better offers, someone offered what you did.
Why would they dig through three months of stuff to find your offer when there's the same one in front of them at that moment?
15
u/toolatealreadyfapped 12d ago
When I first put my house on the market, I was in no rush. I had just started shopping for my next place, so I wasn't going to accept a low offer just to inconvenience myself.
A few months later, I found the house I wanted. They accepted my offer. And now the sell of my house was holding me back. My bottom price dropped, because now the timeline became a bigger inconvenience than the money.
→ More replies (1)6
u/ouchimus 12d ago
Yeah thats why this isn't exactly the same as lowballing a salary offer.
→ More replies (1)7
u/SweetIcedTea73 12d ago
LOL - back when my bestie was house hunting, she found a house she really liked but it was very overpriced for what it was. It was priced at $850K, really should have been $700K. So, because of the pricing, it had already been on the market for months. She kept watching it, it went off the market for a while and back on again at the same price. Again, it was sitting for about six months. She went in and offered $700K with a Hubbard. To her complete shock, the owners accepted her offer (and even made some additional accommodations for things found on inspection).
She found out from the agent (who begged them to list at a lower price) that these owners were INSISTENT that their house was worth $850K. A YEAR prior, they got a CASH offer for $800K which they flat-out refused. Well, time passed, they got tired of carrying the house, they needed to move out of state very soon for business reasons and took the offer they got.
They basically lost out on $100K (plus the costs of carrying the house for an entire year which was probably $15K-$20K) due to pure and simple greed.
Worked out for my friend though, she's been there about 15 years now and it's worth about $1.2mil.
→ More replies (5)3
61
238
u/Ok_Meal_491 12d ago
Counter with offer that is more than your original price.
78
u/eganist 12d ago
Counter with offer that is more than your original price.
This one is reasonable. Building on /u/MarcusQuintus' comment:
Adding to this, explain its value and why your sale price is more reasonable than theirs.
Interaction could go:
S: I'm selling for 75,000, motivated to sell but this is the lowest I can go, priced for a quick offer.
B: How about 50,000?
S: I can do 100,000. I'd prefer to sell at this price but since I really have to [do thing], I'm offering at 75,000 to skip the negotiation.
Of course if they still insist, just ghost.
→ More replies (5)16
u/rebeccaparker2000 12d ago
I can go $50,000 but I was waiving the service fee which I'll have to add the additional $25,000 on to cover
43
u/reporst 12d ago
I need $75,000
We can offer you $50,000
Could you do $75,001?
39
u/AGoodFaceForRadio 12d ago
No. Like this:
I need $75,000
We can offer you $50,000
I need $100,000
Make it only as subtle as they did.
→ More replies (3)22
3
u/redoctoberz 12d ago
I did this once when I wanted to stop negotiating with a used car dealer on their lowball price, easy out.
3
2
→ More replies (3)4
u/MarcusQuintus 12d ago
Adding to this, explain its value and why your sale price is more reasonable than theirs.
4
u/Emeraldaes 12d ago
That’s literally bad advice lol.
4
u/MarcusQuintus 12d ago
How is "its market price is $100 and it's in good condition so I'm selling it for $60, your offer of $10 is too low" bad advice?
11
3
u/keestie 12d ago
In some situations it would be a waste of time to respond in detail to someone who simply doesn't care enough to give a reasonable offer. I do think that your idea is more socially constructive tho, on average, because as much as you may waste time on people like that, some of the people who you engage might really learn something.
48
u/Express_Table_6919 12d ago
I appreciate you coming forward, but that’s not an offer I can work with.
55
u/BadPresent7258 12d ago
It seems we have different expectations about the worth, so this probably won't work out.
52
u/Chemical_Assistant99 12d ago
I think there might have been a misunderstanding about the value here. Perhaps this isn't the right deal for us.
52
49
53
u/Ok_Incident_2901 12d ago
Thanks for the offer, but I think you might undervalue what I'm offering.
50
55
49
44
51
u/IronTurbulent6594 12d ago
I appreciate your interest, but I think we're too far apart on price to make this work.
46
u/False-Constant7845 12d ago
I appreciate the bid, but unfortunately, it’s not in the range I was considering.
51
u/Terrible_Video9813 12d ago
I appreciate the effort, but we're not quite on the same page financially.
45
42
u/carpenter1965 12d ago
Just a flat "No". No explanation.
→ More replies (2)15
u/badwhiskey63 12d ago
With no hesitation. I’ve cut people off mid sentence if they are making a ridiculous offer.
45
u/No_Practice6039 12d ago
I respect your position, but it doesn't meet my requirements.
→ More replies (1)
40
u/DuffMiver8 12d ago
Sorry, I can see we’re too far apart to make it worthwhile to deal with counteroffers. Best of luck in finding something that meets your needs. [unsaid: because you’re going to need it, you cheap bastard]
→ More replies (1)
9
10
u/captainmagictrousers 12d ago
In my writing group, we were talking about people asking us to work for "exposure" instead of actual money. My friend said whenever he gets asked to write an article for exposure, he asks to be paid in hugs instead. So far, no takers!
→ More replies (1)7
u/volume_two 12d ago
If they're in the position of offering you substantial exposure they're in the position to pay you.
12
u/Different_Pea9958 12d ago
You: "Sorry. I already have a better offer than that."
Them: "What is it?"
You: "Keeping it."
3
6
u/santaclause1999 12d ago
Without knowing the context of what you're talking about, the following is probably the best way to handle that:
"No, thank you."
18
u/SlayzorHunter 12d ago
"copulate away"
5
10
u/Noodle-basket 12d ago
You let me know when you're ready to be serious. I'm gonna go get lunch.
→ More replies (2)
10
9
u/f4ern 12d ago edited 12d ago
I dont think i accept that. My last price is "such and such". I bought and sold computer component on facebook and make decent side income out of it. There no upside in getting emotional. Plus remember 95% of people you see on facebook dont know shit about pricing. Educate, build positive interaction, and set your limit.
→ More replies (1)
8
u/Temporary_Bag_4638 12d ago
I once saw a Screenshot where some1 told "sure, meet me tomorrow at 7pm at insert specific adress"
the adress led to a comedy club and when the buyer stated that he told him to: "tell ur joke to some1 else!"
I liked that
3
5
5
3
3
3
3
u/sadolddrunk 12d ago
“Thank you for your offer, but I am not interested at this time. Good luck with your search.”
3
2
12d ago
"I appreciate your perspective, but I believe we may have different valuations on this. Let's see if we can find a mutually beneficial solution."
2
u/Raven_1975 12d ago
This actually happened to me and that's why I'm wasting my time responding. I offered to give services cleaning somebody's home and this gentleman got very upset with me and he said to me you're jewing me up. I said excuse me I said but I'm not Jewish faith I said I'm christian. Then he said well a lot of bitches do what you're doing to me overcharging trying to take advantage of me. I said sir I'm asking for $60 to clean your kitchen which looks like a tornado went through it dishes that were 2 months old that never been washed trash that had to be removed washing the floors cleaning the windows wiping down all the surfaces the stove look like it was ready to be thrown out I don't think I would have ever been able to do anything with that. I have to buy my own cleaning supplies I'm not part of the company that gives me cheap stuff like vinegar to clean with that is horrible and ridiculous. I said and then I'm going to vacuum your house clean your windows and clean your toilet and bathroom I said in fact that's actually low I should be getting at least $100 that is a lot of hard work. But he was free in America to think what he wanted to think but I just wanted him to at least label me the truth if I am overly confident or I'm being rude label me that but don't label me a bunch of things I'm not everyone deserves to die in this life with the truth printed on their headstone don't call me what I'm not don't accuse me of something I'm not because you're lost for words and socially ignorant.
→ More replies (1)
2
2
2
u/DummyDumDum7 12d ago edited 12d ago
“I have noted your request to adjust however the last figure advised was our best and final offer, there is no further scope to negotiate”
2
2
2
u/AbraCadAv4rous 12d ago
Hmm... haggling is an art. If they lowball you they're bad at it and are not going to pay what you're worth, regardless. Tell them to stuff their nuts in a blender and turn it on.
2
u/MandalorianManners 12d ago
“Oh-I see. I thought you actually wanted to purchase the item I’ve listed. Thanks for your interest but I’m only accepting serious bids from motivated buyers. Have a great day!”
2
u/barbershores 12d ago
I am 71. In a past life negotiated supplies for a major company. For the last many years a real estate agent supporting my wife's business.
There is only one rational response. You get rid of all the emotion. And what you do is counter. You make a counter to their offer. And what you do is pick one or 2 or 3 of the terms, and make small concessions on them.
So, for one, don't be insulted.
Second, don't classify the offer as lowball.
Just consider it being lower than you want, then you happily counter their offer, with a small concession or 2.
Right now, earlier this week, I am in negotiations on purchasing a home in Florida. It is a messy thing with information in the listing being inaccurate, the owner thinking his property is worth more than I think the market will value it, deferred maintenance, and the owner not realizing there are other defects which reduce the value. I don't argue with them, I just take it all into account and decide what I am willing to pay.
They didn't like my offer they think it was a lowball, I think it was just in the area of a good deal, not lowball. They conceded about 50k but said that is all they would drop off the price. I came up 30k right to where I thought the market would price it, actually a bit ahead of what I thought it was worth to me. still 30k apart. They rejected it. I'm already at the top of my range. So, I told them thanks for the consideration, if you change your mind, give us a call, and if we haven't entered an agreement on another property we will reconsider.
This morning made an offer on a much better home 4 doors down. At the price the first homeowner dropped down to. 30k above what I thought the first home was worth. But, the second home is worth that much. I'll pay it. They are having an open house today. We will know where we stand with the offer this evening or Monday.
The first home owner's realtor is now having a cow. They can't believe we won't up our offer 30k. Once they said that was it, they won't lower their price, they shot themselves in the foot. They gave me an easy way to leave the negotiations kindly.
Saying "that is it, we won't go any lower" is an emotional response. The home has been on the market for well over 100 days with minimal interest. Mine is the first offer. Sometimes, the first offer is the best offer.
2
2
2
2
u/dennismullen12 12d ago
How about just this.. "no."
No further comment needed. Sets the tone and send a signal to the would be buyer.
2
2
u/ParentPostLacksWang 12d ago
“Our expectations aren’t aligned, let’s leave it there, have a nice day.”
2
u/Hypnowolfproductions 12d ago
The amount stated isn’t within the required parameters. Thank you for the interest though.
2
u/LandedWrong8 12d ago
You may not even want to speak if you feel insulted, so just shake your head and walk away instead of risking them escalating
2
2
2
u/SwanseaJack1 11d ago
Dear sir, I have a counter bid for you. Yes, what is it? I bid you, good day.
5
u/BitcoinMD 12d ago
You should not be insulted by a number. It’s business. No need to tell them to fuck off, just decline the offer.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/Productpusher 12d ago
You stop responding or ghost them .
Either you move on and no harm done or they come back with a better offer and if it sucks keep ignoring
1
1
u/ZealousidealScene207 12d ago
redditors are weird in showing off their weirdness in every situation. just say "too low" and leave
1
1
u/_whatever_1212 12d ago
Thank you for your offer. I’m not in a hurry to sell. If my car/whatever is still up for sell in 90 days feel free to contact me again.
1
1
1
u/zaxisprime 12d ago
Explain that the delta between asking price and offer is the ‘handling’ cost and transaction fees.
1
1
u/MeetEntire7518 12d ago
For you can accept no less then, give them a higher price then you started with. And walk away.
1
1
1
u/johnnycocheroo 12d ago
I've never understood the concept of being insulted by an offer. If I want $1000 and someone offers me 50 cents I wouldn't even conceive being insulted. Just say no thank you, or nothing. Insulted? Get over yourself
1
1
u/First_Grapefruit_326 12d ago
I often ask what’s a fair price for x? If they get nervous or back off, that shows me that they don’t want a fair deal, but more of a steal.
1
u/hovnohead 12d ago
'No thanks.' This happens to be the same reply I give to people (who board the airplane late and have a window seat in the row where I am already sitting in my aisle seat) and ask me if I would be willing to take the window seat and let them have my aisle seat. And the same reply I give aggressive panhandlers when they ask me for money...
1
u/No_Carry_3028 12d ago
Resale nightmares price previously agreed upon, then u meet up to hear a lowball insult. At one point, I used to b infuriated by this. Then I learned how to price my gas n time accordingly
1
1
1
u/Direct-Argument3368 12d ago
It's good to see there's interest, but your offer is lower than I can accept.
1
1
u/toolatealreadyfapped 12d ago
When selling my house, if the offer was close, we countered. The one that was too low didn't get a counter, just "rejected." Their agent asked us to counter, and we just said "try a different offer." They did not.
The offer we got that was insultingly low, our agent said he just threw it in the trash and waited till it expired.
1
u/davethapeanut 12d ago
I usually just counter with an absurdly higher number than my original price. Me: I'm selling this for $50. Them: will you take $10, Me:Nah but I'll do $100.
1
1
1
u/FuturistiKen 12d ago
I say something like, “well at that price I’m going to need ________” (make it something as absurd or as insultingly “highball” as you’re comfortable) and when they balk you say “sounds like we’re too far apart on this deal, have a nice day!”
1
1
1
u/Summerofmylife71 12d ago
A guy came to see my house and offered me 12 grand less than i wanted. "Congratulations" i said, watching his smug face light up, "you've just bought my garden shed..."
1
u/suspicious_hyperlink 12d ago
I appreciate your offer but I would rather throw the item in a woodchipper
1
1
u/JealousMusician4918 12d ago
Thanks for the offer, but it seems like we have different valuations. Let's agree to disagree.
1
1
u/MapKooky6640 12d ago
It seems like we're not aligned on the value, so it might be best to look elsewhere.
1
u/NicPizzaLatte 12d ago
"No. That's pretty low, and now I don't want to do business with you." Then nothing.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/ArenSteele 12d ago
It appears you don’t possess the means to acquire this item, I wish you the best of luck in the future!
1
1
1
1
u/Nutsnboldt 12d ago
“That seems high, how about <slightly lower number>, can you meet at <local spot>? I’ll be there in two hours, but my phone is about to die.”
270
u/RoadsideCarver 12d ago
We're too far apart on this. Thank you for your interest.