Craiglist: Do people seriously try to haggle DURING the meeting?
 

As a Craiglist seller, I've just had my first ever experience of someone trying to haggle during the actual meeting.

In every other instance, the price was agreed upon before the meeting and did not change during the meeting.

BTW, the item in question was exactly as described. The buyer even said so himself, yet he tried to haggle, so I left.

If you put OBO in your ad and the person doesn't try to haggle you I'd expect them to try in person.

I sold a set of steel wheels with tires once and when we met up the guy looked and said will you take $X. I honestly expected that and didn't care. I would have thought it was a common thing, that is the only time I ever sold on craiglist.

Thats why you tell them before meeting that you're firm on the price and make sure they're comfortable with that before wasting your time.....

As a buyer, I always ask if they're negotiable on their price over the phone. I never agree on the final price over the phone, because I need to see the item first. Most of the time, the item is in worse shape than I expect...so I offer less when I arrive.

Honestly, most people that have bought from me try to haggle DURING the meeting. I'm surprised this was your first.

Next time I write an ad, I should just state that the price is firm.

But anyways, my time was wasted, but only a little. I always ask the buyer to come to me. I never go to them or meet halfway if I'm the seller.

This. When I picked up my XJ in the fall, I didn't talk about price, as I told the seller I wanted to see/test-drive the vehicle before agreeing. Granted, I'm not sure what you're selling, so it could be a completely different scenario, but I typically don't agree on a price without seeing the item.

The one thing I sold on craigslist already has the price agreed to beforehand, and was only a 40 dollar sale, so there wasn't much room to haggle to begin with.

If my item is OBO, I tell them I won't negotiate unless they're here, in person. I don't think it's fair to judge something without seeing it, even if I do give you good pictures. Really all I'm trying to prevent is agreeing on $X and then having them try to undercut me even more when they get here. It's happened.

The only exceptions to this are if people are coming from a long distance (I had a guy drive about 7 hours to get my miata hardtop) or items that aren't worth that much anyway. But if you're coming to look at a $500 part from 15 minutes away? Nah, you can negotiate with me in person.

Isn't the point of Craigslist to haggle?

A lot of times you may show up to see an item and it may not be in the condition stated.

I always try establish a price first when buying but if condition does not match what was stated I will haggle. My rx8 Recaro seat was agreed at 300, I showed up to find out it was just cushions and no frame. Left with it for $75. Other items purchased last summer were negotiated accurately first and matched the stated condition. Things I sold mostly were not haggled in person.

On the selling end I have a window of price that I'm ok with in mind from the start, the buyer either fits into that or not. All items I sell have accurate and detailed descriptions and pictures, I can't stress accurate pictures, descriptions and disclosing any flaws enough. If you want a smooth no haggle transaction leave nothing to assumption. If you list a shitty ad, expect shitty buyers.

With regard to meeting, nobody comes to my house from craigslist unless it's something that can't be moved. I don't care if I'm meeting you in town or 45 minutes away, no sketch fucks from cl are coming to my home. My way of slanting that favorably is listing all items as willing to meet partway within reason and then trying to set up sales around where I'm typically working, also factoring a bit of travel into the price.

I personally hate it when people are already trying to haggle before even seeing the actual item in person.
It is dependant on what is actually being sold though.
Computer parts? Sure
Car parts? No

I don't mind if people attempt to negotiate off the pre-agreed on amount if they find something that warrants a reduction in price. However, I don't care that your check was short, your insurance was "unexpectedly" taken out of your account or that you need gas money to get back home when you show up without enough money.

I had a guy that was selling leopard geckos try to sell me a different one 'on accident'. He had the one I wanted in the car. I was annoyed but he fessed up and said "yea hes my favorite. I know we said $50, but can you do $60?"

I said either we do business at $50 or you wasted my time. He ended up doing it but I was pretty annoyed.

:word:

you also tell them to bring exact cash.

sometimes, they'll "forget" the extra $10-20 on a $60 item.