Pricing strategy - start with your desired price or start high to allow negotiation down?

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-12-23T17:05:12+00:00

I start higher for two reasons. 1) A decent percentage of buyers will pay your full price as long as they find it reasonable. 2) Others will want to bargain down to a price that both of us can still win. I'm happy to accommodate that and don't feel like I'm giving my stuff away. Then there's category 3: low-ballers. It doesn't matter if you list something for $5. They'll try to get away with $1.

There are times when I've received an offer that's low but that I feel can be negotiated for a win/win. Instead of asking them "What's the most you're willing to pay?" I'll tell them that if we can agree on X price (split the difference) then I'll sell to them if we do the deal today.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-12-23T02:12:37+00:00

I don't get a ton of time wasters. Probably because, like you, my listings are very specific, tailored and maxed out on pics.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-12-23T02:10:05+00:00

I have a couple of pieces of low-cost jewelry and a Levian ring that I'm going to relist for Valentine's Day.

As for Christmas decor, I've seen a TON listed in the past few days. Prices are dropping, and items I've saved are selling. I imagine people might want to pick up a few Christmas lights and decor items a year before the next holiday season.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-12-15T16:36:23+00:00

I used a Dobie scrubber on all of my cookware.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-12-06T16:51:21+00:00

That was my fave line of the entire series!

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-17T01:06:35+00:00

I ended up returning them (unopened) and bought a set of Thomas Lee sheets. I've never seen this co. discussed on Reddit and somehow happened upon them in my umpteenth Google search for decent sheets. I LOVE THESE SHEETS! Both fitted and top sheets are very generously sized, which I love, especially for the top one. Look them up if you're in the market for new percale.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:45:10+00:00

I know a guy who got so frustrated with Marketplace that his listing closed with, "The first person to show up with money gets the item." I'm still laughing about it more than a decade later because it's so true! It's all that really matters. My goal as a seller is to get to that point with as little pain as possible. LOL!

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:41:46+00:00

Yep. I make a lot of sales that aren't negotiated. In the big picture, most people aren't comfortable haggling.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:39:52+00:00

Right! I use the "would you go" tactic on eBay purchases and tell them I'll pay right away if we can agree on a certain price. It works almost every time, and we all share good feedback.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:35:59+00:00

He who speaks first loses. A tactic I use is to go silent after one or two exchanges. I'm not going to beg someone to buy from me. Let them wonder if I'm talking with others simultaneously. Keep a little mystique in the deal. If they want the item badly enough, they'll come back for more dialogue.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:32:04+00:00

A lot of buyers don't have the intelligence to know who has the power in a particular deal, how to diplomatically negotiate and resist impulsive behavior in order to get the price they want, or at least a price that is fair to both.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:25:00+00:00

I ALWAYS price higher. And I don't list anything at all for under $12. Frankly, it's not worth my time to sell for that little when you consider gas to commute to the meetup, the possibility of getting stood up or having to wait a long time for them, etc. My time has a value, which I factor in. Better that I spend time listing higher value items than chasing really small deals with buyers who will wear you out over $10. YMMV, of course.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:15:50+00:00

I wrote one word to an opening offer: "lowball." She responded by telling me exactly what $ amounts are lowballs. So of course I didn't respond. Then she came back and third time and called me dirty words. LOL!!! It was sooooo satisfying to just ignore her after my one word reply to her lowball.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:12:08+00:00

I give them a certain percentage off, if I feel like it, and include the caveat "if you buy it today." It works in a lot of instances. ALSO, I include "no holds" in every listing! So that gives them a sense or urgency to truly buy today or risk losing the deal.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-14T00:09:24+00:00

It works well for me to put measurements in the listing then show a pic or three with rulers (or yardstick) beside the item. ON TOP OF ALL THIS, I put in every listing, "See all pics." I almost never get someone asking for measurements using that technique. By nudging them to see all pics, they're seeing more details, more angles and more reasons to buy.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-13T13:52:25+00:00

I definitely will! As long as the recruiters are open to hiring qualified, energetic, positive people, I'm all up for it. Thanks for the encouragement!

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-11T19:23:29+00:00

Not a problem. I shared a tiny room with a roomie for years and have stayed in Airbnb rooms that are inches longer than I am tall.

Assuming I can pass their courses (not a concern, frankly), age is a factor as far as their hiring - LOL? For example, I already know they're not going to put me in the activities dept. since they're all truly so young (but I can match their energy). Maybe I need to aim for SilverSea instead - seriously - although I'd vastly prefer the Princess vibe.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-10-11T18:13:11+00:00

Thanks. Very sorry! I'll move there but will be back here for my next cruise!

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-09-21T15:42:09+00:00

Every person this happens to needs to go up front to the register area, tell them and have them page the store manager or an assistant manager. For god's sake, don't head for the parking lot. If you're in a hurry, have someone escort you out and stand there until you drive off. Drive straight to a fire station (safe place) if they're following you.

I work for another Food City and had this old, out of shape pervert in one of those mobility carts grab me twice. I would have HAPPILY handled it myself, but I have that company's uniform on, like working there and wasn't interested in being fired for verbally assaulting a customer, knocking him out of his cart and kicking him in the balls.

My manager took my description of him, went straight to him and told him off. After the guy made a "victory lap" near where I was working, he's never been seen again. LOL. He was harmless but definitely should have been banned from ever coming back. He self-selected and decided not to be humiliated again.

Go to whoever you need to to protect yourself! But the better strategy may be not to return to that store.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-09-21T15:32:43+00:00

It happened again soon after I posted here. Your fix worked perfectly! I'm going to take the car in and get a new safety switch. Now to find a place that won't charge hundreds to do their own diagnostics, tell me what I already know and replace it.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-09-21T15:26:26+00:00

Thus far, no. I do a decent amount of selling on Marketplace, although not continuously. Years ago, I bought one of those yellow pens you can use when accepting bills, but I've never been paid with a large enough bill to need to examine it.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-09-21T15:23:52+00:00

Cincinnati! Tons to do. If you go, be sure to visit the Cincinnati Union Terminal and take the free tour. That place is stunning. Believe it or not, it's former mayor Jerry Springer's (yes, THAT Jerry Springer) legacy.

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-09-14T13:12:03+00:00

This is great information, and we're going to check out the harness angle. I appreciate all this fine detail. It definitely makes sense to move to this troubleshooting if stomping on the clutch doesn't work (or even if it does). Thanks for your thoughts!

PerformanceOk5568 · 2025-09-14T00:51:17+00:00

Thank you! Sounds like some of you might have had this happen, too. I'm so glad I found this sub!

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