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| | | Author: | SDF_Bricks  | | Posted: | Jan 4, 2023 20:55 | | Subject: | Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 291 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
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| | | | | Author: | popsicle | | Posted: | Jan 4, 2023 21:12 | | Subject: | (Cancelled) | | Viewed: | 98 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| | (Cancelled) |
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| | | | | Author: | zorbanj | | Posted: | Jan 4, 2023 21:59 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 74 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
|
People can ask for anything they want, doesn't mean they'll get it. In
some cultures haggling is expected. My late father always haggled. His attitude
was that either party can say no and walk away at any time.
| | What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
|
Buyers don't know and don't care about any of this. They just want to
get what they think is a "good price".
| | How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
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Depends. If the request isn't too ridiculous I'll answer. I'm also
more willing to entertain a discount for a big order. However, if it's a
$45 offer for a $180 well-priced set I ignore and stoplist as these people are
often troublemakers.
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| | | | | Author: | crazylegoman | | Posted: | Jan 4, 2023 22:54 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 62 times | | Topic: | Selling | |
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| | I always ignore such requests. |
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| | | | | Author: | Yo_Yo_Flamingo | | Posted: | Jan 4, 2023 23:37 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 76 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
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Look into the 80/20 rule.... Learning that has saved me so much aggravation over
the years.
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| | | | | | | Author: | maxx3001 | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 16:09 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, Yo_Yo_Flamingo writes:
| | In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
Look into the 80/20 rule.... Learning that has saved me so much aggravation over
the years.
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80% of your LEGO sales come from 20% of the buyers.
Also, 80% of trouble comes from 20% (or less) buyers 
20% of cost leaves you with 80% profit 
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 16:18 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 53 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, maxx3001 writes:
| | In General, Yo_Yo_Flamingo writes:
| | In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
Look into the 80/20 rule.... Learning that has saved me so much aggravation over
the years.
|
80% of your LEGO sales come from 20% of the buyers.
Also, 80% of trouble comes from 20% (or less) buyers
20% of cost leaves you with 80% profit
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle
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| | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 03:48 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 61 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
I tend to ignore, but in some cases stoplist them if the discount they want is
offensive. I used to reply with a "No", or where they claim they can
buy it cheaper elsewhere then that they should buy it elsewhere, but rarely bother
now. Just delete the message.
It is even worse on Facebook marketplace. Some of the offers there are like 75%
off asking price. Again, they just get blocked then deleted. It is not worth
replying to such people.
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| | | | | Author: | Rob_and_Shelagh | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 05:33 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 76 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
We always reply as in many cases we still get the order if we decline discount
but remain polite and give proper customer service.
Our response is always something like: "Thank you for your request but we
do not give discounts off our listed prices as we have many returning customers
who pay the asking price. We think it is fair to offer everyone the same price."
Ever since we started selling here we have stuck 100% to this. Bricklink is not
(currently) an auction site.
Robert
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| | | | | Author: | Sadler_Bricks | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 06:57 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| We run low prices so its already low and no need for discounts but people still
try.
Sadler_bricks
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| | | | | Author: | ccsuter44 | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 08:10 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 55 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| If someone is buying bulk inexpensive parts I am more than happy to offer a discount!
Those orders are easy to fill and it clears up space.
I usually don't have any wiggle room on minifigures because my profit on
these is minimal to begin with.
Cheers!
Cindy
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| | | | | Author: | infinibrix | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 08:44 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 61 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
in the
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
First point to make is that you should ALWAYS reply to a customer as to not do
so will be deemed as unhelpful and will say more about you than them! In fact
I would go as far as to say that ignoring customers not only does a disservice
to Bricklink but also to all the other sellers using the platform too as who's
going to be encourage to shop on a platform where they are seemingly ignored?
Either way from a buyers perspective I think you should only really consider
asking for a discount in the following situations:-
You intend to place a large order!
You intend to order large quantities of the same lot!
Or if you already intend to order from a seller but choose not to include certain
items because of a price difference compared to elsewhere the seller may actually
appreciate being made aware and agree to price match especially if you already
have an order with them in the works!
If your only buying one item such as a minifigure its probably best to respect
the price shown as I'm sure if the seller wanted to sell their £8 minifig
for £5 then they would have listed it at £5 in the first place but even if asked
this sort of thing I will still ALWAYS reply!
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| | | | | | | Author: | popsicle | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 08:50 | | Subject: | (Cancelled) | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| | (Cancelled) |
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| | | | | Author: | jennnifer | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 08:51 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
Be polite and professional. There is no reason to be offended. Thank them for
your message, state that you will stand firm on your price (you do not need to
explain why), and ask if there is anything else they need help with. Keep a copy
of the text somewhere so you can cut and paste it next time. You're an online
merchant. It's part of the job.
Jen
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| | | | | | | Author: | jennnifer | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 08:53 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 60 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, jennnifer writes:
| | In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
Be polite and professional. There is no reason to be offended. Thank them for
your message, state that you will stand firm on your price (you do not need to
explain why), and ask if there is anything else they need help with. Keep a copy
of the text somewhere so you can cut and paste it next time. You're an online
merchant. It's part of the job.
Jen
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Yeah, that should read: 'Thank them for their message...'
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| | | | | Author: | LegoLDK | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 12:27 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| I'm willing to assume this is gonna be an unpopular idea to float round here,
given the predominance of seller opinions on the forum. But just maybe what was
seen as "low pricing" assuming the often forum quoted metrics of previous
6 months average, even minus a bit to look low, may be considered historically
high prices?
During the CoVid lock down period when Lego became hot property (again) prices
pushed upwards and Bricklink was seen as a road to income riches. Buyers may
now be testing the market's willingness to cur prices to maintain sales volumes.
Just a theory backed up by nothing more than Economics 101.
If the forum is reflective of the true state of the market it looks like:-
CoVid
Demand Increased
Prices Increased
Sellers flocked to market
Prices Increased more
Fraud levels Increased
New sellers started to notice sales volumes declined.
I guess now we'll see sellers exit the market and/or prices moderate.
Can a request, if made politely and via the proper channels ever be "unreasonable"?
Just politely decline.
My 5 cents, FWIW.
In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
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| | | | | | | Author: | SDF_Bricks | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 12:41 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, LegoLDK writes:
| | I'm willing to assume this is gonna be an unpopular idea to float round here,
given the predominance of seller opinions on the forum. But just maybe what was
seen as "low pricing" assuming the often forum quoted metrics of previous
6 months average, even minus a bit to look low, may be considered historically
high prices?
During the CoVid lock down period when Lego became hot property (again) prices
pushed upwards and Bricklink was seen as a road to income riches. Buyers may
now be testing the market's willingness to cur prices to maintain sales volumes.
Just a theory backed up by nothing more than Economics 101.
If the forum is reflective of the true state of the market it looks like:-
CoVid
Demand Increased
Prices Increased
Sellers flocked to market
Prices Increased more
Fraud levels Increased
New sellers started to notice sales volumes declined.
I guess now we'll see sellers exit the market and/or prices moderate.
Can a request, if made politely and via the proper channels ever be "unreasonable"?
Just politely decline.
My 5 cents, FWIW.
In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
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|
I'll add my own 'perspective' ...
I have been a BL buyer for many many years now. I always pay the asking price,
and never haggled. The only one thing I once 'questioned' was a huge
shipping from Germany. I like to think of BL as a hobbyists run 'business'
where many of us do this for 'fun' ... I am not sure any on here use
BL as their sole bread winner business (I could be wrong).
When I see an item I like, I buy it, and never ask for a discount as most on
here (I feel) are on the same boat.
Recently, I sold an item to a fellow from Italy, and he ended up paying a huge
sum for customs ... I simply covered half of it. Did I have to? No ... but in
the end, he had a positive experience, and so did I (by making him happy).
I feel haggling has no room on here ... but then again, who am I to set the rules?
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| | | | | | | | | Author: | SylvainLS | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 13:04 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | […]
I like to think of BL as a hobbyists run 'business'
where many of us do this for 'fun' ... I am not sure any on here use
BL as their sole bread winner business (I could be wrong).
|
You are wrong. There’s a lot of people saying on the forum that BL is their
sole source of income.
There’s also stores with employees. Maybe the owners have other businesses and
their BL store is just for fun but I doubt it 
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| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 13:20 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SylvainLS writes:
| | In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | […]
I like to think of BL as a hobbyists run 'business'
where many of us do this for 'fun' ... I am not sure any on here use
BL as their sole bread winner business (I could be wrong).
|
You are wrong. There’s a lot of people saying on the forum that BL is their
sole source of income.
There’s also stores with employees. Maybe the owners have other businesses and
their BL store is just for fun but I doubt it
|
About this, often Brick & Mortar LEGO or more generic Toys Shop have also a shop
on BrickLink.
This permits them to have a seller contract with LEGO, buy Sets at discount for
their Shop and part out a part of them for their BrickLink Shop.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | SylvainLS | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 13:43 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 30 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, 1001bricks writes:
| | […]
| | You are wrong. There’s a lot of people saying on the forum that BL is their
sole source of income.
There’s also stores with employees. Maybe the owners have other businesses and
their BL store is just for fun but I doubt it
|
About this, often Brick & Mortar LEGO or more generic Toys Shop have also a shop
on BrickLink.
This permits them to have a seller contract with LEGO, buy Sets at discount for
their Shop and part out a part of them for their BrickLink Shop.
|
Yep, I forgot about that… but then their BL store is still “business” and not
“only for ‘fun’.”
I think there’s even people whose only income is BL and only BL (not brick &
mortar, not eBay, not Brick Owl…).
Or so they say something goes wrong with BL
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 14:06 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| | | I think there’s even people whose only income is BL and only BL (not brick &
mortar, not eBay, not Brick Owl…).
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Yes, us!
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | SylvainLS | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 15:03 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 33 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, 1001bricks writes:
| | | | I think there’s even people whose only income is BL and only BL (not brick &
mortar, not eBay, not Brick Owl…).
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Yes, us!
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Oh, I thought you also sold elsewhere.
But then, why aren’t you shouting murder everytime something goes wrong here?
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | 1001bricks | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 15:07 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 44 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SylvainLS writes:
| | In General, 1001bricks writes:
| | | | I think there’s even people whose only income is BL and only BL (not brick &
mortar, not eBay, not Brick Owl…).
|
Yes, us!
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Oh, I thought you also sold elsewhere.
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No, nowhere.
A trial with maybe 20 Sets on eBay 10 years ago maybe?
But basically we don't sell Sets anyay.
| | But then, why aren’t you shouting murder everytime something goes wrong here?
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Because I'm kind.
But when I'm unhappy of BrickLink I peace off its Mods, hee hee
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | SylvainLS | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 16:00 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, 1001bricks writes:
| | […]
Because I'm kind.
But when I'm unhappy of BrickLink I peace off
|
On this forum, it’s written “piece off”
| | its Mods, hee hee
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So, shooting the messenger’s cousin’s neighbour….
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Author: | macebobo | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 15:45 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 50 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SylvainLS writes:
| | In General, 1001bricks writes:
| | | | I think there’s even people whose only income is BL and only BL (not brick &
mortar, not eBay, not Brick Owl…).
|
Yes, us!
|
Oh, I thought you also sold elsewhere.
But then, why aren’t you shouting murder every time something goes wrong here?
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You rang?
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| | | | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 14:20 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| | | Can a request, if made politely and via the proper channels ever be "unreasonable"?
Just politely decline.
My 5 cents, FWIW.
|
It totally depends on the situation, and what you define as polite.
Before Christmas I had a request to sell a set that typically sells for about
£150-175 for £30, mentioning the RRP from ten years ago. To me that is unreasonable
and not worth replying to. They must know they are time wasting. Whereas if they
had offered 10% under at £135, I would have replied but said no.
If they are going in at something like 50% of the advertised price or 6mo average
or the lowest currently available domestically, I don't really see the point
replying.
If they ask whether they can get a discount for buying 10 sets, or all your
remaining Ninjago minifigures, or if they buy out all stock of a particular piece
or something like that then it is a much more reasonable approach and worth replying
to. They sound like a sensible buyer where a sale is likely to happen. Whereas
someone asking for prices way under market value is not likely to end up buying
at anywhere near a reasonable price.
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| | | | | Author: | Stonemonkey1974 | | Posted: | Jan 5, 2023 14:13 | | Subject: | Re: Buyers asking for a discount | | Viewed: | 36 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, SDF_Bricks writes:
| | I price my items rather low (for a quick sale) and yet, occasionally, some potential
buyers still ask for a 10-20% discount. This at times is really irritating/offending.
What most buyers fail to comprehend is that, by the time I factor in BL/Paypal
fees and others, I'm already 20% down from the listed price.
How do you guys deal with this? Is there a point in answering at all such 'unreasonable'
requests.
|
Be like Zammo, Just say NO!
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USA, Illinois
Netherlands, Utrecht
France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
United Kingdom, England
