What Is Your Strategy for Getting Bargains on Gumtree and Whats Your Best Buy?

Lhaggertm on 21/09/2017 - 23:32
Last edited 22/09/2017 - 10:09 by 1 other user

What works for you when you try to haggle the price down on Gumtree and what has been your best buy?

My strategy

I will always send a message asking for the lowest price that they will accept, I then use this price as a starting point for negotiation. Normally, if youre looking at something that is around the $400 mark, the seller will knock off $50-100 straight away.

I will then endeavour to talk the price down an additional $50-100, depending on how long the item has been on Gumtree.

The most important step is to not get attatched to the item. This is easy once you realise that most items will come back up from different sellers pretty regularly.

If they dont accept my offer, I just say - no problem but if you have any trouble selling it and you decide that you will accept $x, send me a message because I will be interested.

A lot of the time I will receive a message accepting my offer within a couple of days.

If a week or two passes and they havent accepted my offer and the item is still for sale, I will send them another message just saying - any chance you would reconsider my offer of $x?

This works a lot but sometimes you just have to let an item go (or pay the extra).

My number 1 tip though is to be patient and wait for a deal.

I also try to look for misspellings or alternative spelling of words (eg. Wethepeople, we the people and wtp when I was looking at my bike)

My best buys would be,
-An electric guitar, amp and hard case for $250 (talked down from $490). It had never been used and still had the plastic film and tags on. The guy purchased it because he wanted to learn but didnt take it out of its case in over a year. He had the reciept for all the gear totaling just over $1000 on sale.

-A Wethepeople Crysis BMX for $220 (talked down from $450). The guy owned for 3 years and had never really ridden it. There wasnt a single scratch on it (there are many scratches on it now) and it rides like a dream. The same bike can still be purchased brand new for ~500 pounds plus delivery from the UK. They're just under $1000 new in Australia if you want the current years colour combo.

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Comments

  • Axelstrife on 21/09/2017 - 23:53
    +6

    how the hell did you talk them down that much?
    i barely get reply's when ill pay there damn asking price.

    • WatchNerd on 22/09/2017 - 07:12
      +1
      • their
    • redfox1200 on 22/09/2017 - 09:09
      +3

      no one pays full price on gumtree! they probably think you're a scammer!

      • haggertm on 22/09/2017 - 09:14

        Haha true.

    • haggertm on 22/09/2017 - 09:12

      I just told you how I talked them down that much haha. There is definitely a degree of luck when youre dealing on gumtree though. I do remember that both of those items that I got for great prices were up for 10+ weeks.

  • AlienC on 22/09/2017 - 00:07
    +1

    Honestly it depends how I am feeling.. sometimes I am feeling pretty ballsy and try all sorts of negotiating and semi low balls to get my best price.

    Other times I get lazy and do the offer for lower amount and then just see what they say.

    I bet I could easily talk down some of these inflated console prices for ps4 and etc easily but haven't been too bothered enough to.

    My best deals were probably the nvidia shield tablet and full accessories for around $300 last year and a netgear nighthawk x6 r8000 for like $180 but it was secondhand and came with another charger that kind of doesn't fit properly.

    Not the best of deals but both serve me well, well not so much the nvidia.. I have very mixed feelings about that tablet now.

    • Axelstrife on 22/09/2017 - 01:38

      I must message the worst people then
      either no reply on gumtree when i agree to there price or on ebay with make an offer ive been denied with an offer of $5 less on an item listed for $120.

      i haven gotten some bargains but ive never bargained half the price off there asking.

      • AlienC on 22/09/2017 - 23:27

        Like with anything it's just a numbers games and your success is usually determined by how much time you are willing to put in.

  • impoze on 22/09/2017 - 00:20

    I try to add urgency or immediacy to the buy by negotiating "will you take $### cash picked up today"

    My latest buy was an iPhone 6s 16gb for $280. Got the screen and battery replaced under warranty at Apple. Ask for serial and IMEI before hand to check status, plus 6S was released end of September so still have consumer law

    • armdrags on 22/09/2017 - 01:41
      +9

      I have received that "will you take $### cash picked up today" line quite often and still don't understand the use of the word cash here. What is the reason for saying that when I will only be accepting cash as a form of payment? It's not like other interested buyers are offering me non-cash payment. So the use of the word cash here is quite useless to me.

      • impoze on 22/09/2017 - 08:41

        Mentioning cash rules out any other options of EFT, trading a PS4/Xbox and PayPal etc as it is Gumtree we're talking about .

        Not everyone mentions cash only as well

      • TheBilly on 22/09/2017 - 09:11

        Unless you specifically state you are taking cash only in your advertisement generally speaking if it is an unclarified 'term of sale' stating cash simply defines your offer.

        • armdrags on 22/09/2017 - 21:51

          Normally when I advertise my items it is always in dollar amount so it is self-explanatory that I am after cash only. I can understand if they use that line if I am trying to trade the item. But not everyone like cash only. Next time I'm going to use the line "will you take x.xxxxxx bitcoin picked up today" and see how they feel.

        • TheBilly on 23/09/2017 - 07:26

          @armdrags:

          Ok, so you cant trade dollar amounts via EFT or Paypal?

      • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 09:52
        -1

        I think using the word cash does actually help, because a lot of people selling stuff on Gumtere have no savings and live week-to-week. For them to hear the word cash generates a strong emotional response that will make them more likely to agree to a sale. Might be the same reason they agree to flush so much money down the pokies.

        "Scumtree" haha.

        Agree with you completely though, and the word is quite useless to me too. But maybe because I already have cash?

  • ProBoDoBo on 22/09/2017 - 03:19
    -8

    This is the trick I use. From my main account I send them an offer($750 for a $1000 item) after they respond and refuse I say let me know if you change your mind we can work it out. I wait for few hours and then using other email addresses(not account) I start sending offers lower than what I had offered-$600 or $550, after sometime as the person thinks his item's value has dropped its easier to negotiate with him from your original account. Eg-Brand new s7 edge @750(priced 1000) also, Smartwatch 270 priced at 450

  • WatchNerd on 22/09/2017 - 07:18
    +3

    When I sell on Gumtree, I write in the ad -

    • No sms.
    • Please call if you want it.
    • I won't reply to sms.

    This eliminates a lot of tyre kickers. I still get sms, but rarely reply.
    Also people who are too lazy to call are usually unreliable and won't turn up anyway, so it just wastes your time.
    People who want the item will call.

    • boomramada on 22/09/2017 - 09:23
      +4

      I never call a person on gumtree, always buy via sms, I just hate calling ppl :)
      If I'm sick, I usually sms my boss as well.

      • WatchNerd on 22/09/2017 - 09:52
        -1

        Haha well you won't be able to buy anything from me.

        • boomramada on 22/09/2017 - 10:44
          +1

          Don't you worry, I wouldn't be haggling, more like offering you more than twice since I live in offshore, I'm buying it for my wife, I will pay you through paypal ;)

  • scperfume on 22/09/2017 - 07:23

    Free Ikea Day Bed (new price was $549) Had to get a few screws from Ikea… no other issues…

    Bizarre…

  • ihbh on 22/09/2017 - 08:37

    Op, do you keep any stats or can roughly estimate it?

    How many offers have you made? What is your strike rate for a deep discount bargain?

    We got a good condition Little Partners learning tower for $120. When the kids outgrow this we can probably resell for same price or small profit, but will probably give away.

    • haggertm on 22/09/2017 - 09:36

      I dont really keep stats but I will basically ask for the lowest price and depending on how much they drop I will make my offer and they will decline. Then I will say let me know if you change your mind and leave it at that. I might make one more offer after they decline saying well if you change your mind and will accept $x let me know because I will be interested.

      Its all a bit of luck with the strike rate. But i just look for good quality products, not an exact specific product. That way theie is a large market and you can just keep making offers until you find someone who is willing to sell for what yourr willing to pay.

    • Qkumber on 22/09/2017 - 12:43

      There is good demand for secondhand little partners learning towers as the Australian distributor was out of stock for ages

      • ihbh on 22/09/2017 - 12:53

        Agree. When the seller said firm price on the listing, we got in touch right away to arrange pick up without trying to negotiate at all.

    • twocsies on 17/01/2018 - 00:08

      I love the Ana White DIY Little Partners tower. http://www.ana-white.com/2010/12/helping-tower.html

  • carwashhair on 22/09/2017 - 08:53
    +3

    My strategy? Don't wear underpants.

    Helps you to LOW BALL everything.

    • moo on 22/09/2017 - 09:08

      What if you ain't got no ball to lower?

  • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 09:02
    +1

    Often I just make low ball offers. Sometimes after initially rejecting my offer, then after few weeks the seller comes crawling back to me and will agree to my offer. So I agree with OPs comments about being patient etc.

    I often don't want the thing unless they can bring the price right down.

    Recently a seller straight-up accepted my low-ball offer of $700 for a driveable car, but then after I saw it I pointed out an issue and said I can give $600. He had not sold it for 4 months and accepted. Now I am hoping to potentially sell the car for $3000, but after spending another $300 on it. There are listings of the same car asking over $5000. :o

  • Quantumcat on 22/09/2017 - 09:03
    +4

    I find lowballers on my stuff so annoying, and tend to not bother replying to them, closing the conversation (if on Gumtree) right away.

    I find there is no point offering someone less than they are asking, if they are asking a high price it's because they think it's worth that much. And if it stays around long enough for them to consider your offer it means it isn't a low enough price to be worth buying anyway (or someone else would have bought it). If anything, you can only hope to bargain them down from a price that's higher than it's worth, to the price it is worth. When you could easily just buy someone's item that is already priced what it is worth and not waste your time or theirs.

    When I am looking for something I just check a few times a day until a real bargain is posted (either they don't know what it is worth or do but just want to get rid of it quickly) then message them right away so that I can be the one to grab it. A lot of the time, for the really big bargains, someone has already bought it (even if it was only posted ten minutes ago) and they haven't taken the ad down yet, but a few times I get some great bargains. I mostly search for video game stuff.

    • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 09:09
      +1

      You are ignoring potential buyers. Just make them a high counter offer. They will probably just go away or come to a more reasonable price. I feel sorry for people who stress over a low offer on their ad.

      • Quantumcat on 22/09/2017 - 09:15

        I used to try this, but we'd end up having a conversation over a few days and agreeing a price and then they say something like "can you wait until next week when I get paid, I forgot I have to get my car serviced" and then I never hear from them again. 99% of lowballers just enjoy wasting your time and don't genuinely want what you are selling.

        • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 09:31
          +2

          Just be firm and know when to avoid getting into back-and-forth conversations. I usually don't ignore people initially, but if they're going to muck you around then for sure feel free to ignore them then.

          It takes no effort and stress to just reply with a counter-offer price. You don't even have to say anything, just put a dollar figure. Then you can gauge if they're a serious buyer by how they respond.

        • Quantumcat on 22/09/2017 - 10:11

          @inherentchoice: Thanks for the advice, I will try that next time :-)

        • tryagain on 27/09/2017 - 16:39
          +2

          @inherentchoice: Last time I sold something I put it on for $180, realistically expected to get $150 for it, somebody lowballed me with $100 to which I "highballed" with lowest I would go is $165 and I wouldn't discuss any lower, he agreed and came and got it.

  • smashed on 22/09/2017 - 09:15
    +2

    Wow…

    I like to share any good deals, and I wouldn't broden something to the detriment of others.

    Equally, if I want to buy something on Gumtree then I find something that I consider to be reasonably priced.

    There is no way that I would deliberately lowball a seller, and I would be ashamed to stoop to the levels that some of you guys admitted to , let alone tell anybody about it.

    I guess this explains why I had so many idiots replying when I tried to sell on Gumtree, they are clearly everywhere :(

    I sell at a fair price and I buy at a fair price. There may be wiggle room either way but I wouldn't take the pee.

    • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 09:42
      -1

      This is subjective. I find there are idiot sellers who are clearly expecting too much and will list and re-list their item for months on end unsold, completely in denial about what is fair market value. They ignore buyers and get offended by their offers.

      If I make low balls offers, I am a buyer and that is what I am willing to pay. If the seller gets stressed or annoyed by my serious offer, that is their fault!

      • smashed on 22/09/2017 - 09:48

        You just said it yourself.. A lowball offer.
        Some people may disagree over what is a fair price but there is no need to really take the pee.

        • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 09:58

          Yes, like I said, it's subjective as to whether a lowball offer is offensive and "taking the piss".

        • smashed on 22/09/2017 - 10:04

          @inherentchoice:

          If I put something up for 100 then I would consider a 50 bid to be lowball.

          Equally, if I am looking for something and consider it to be worth 50 then I will skip over the listings at 100 and not even bother them.

        • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 10:10

          @smashed: Ah okay, and is someone who offers $50 on your $100 ad an idiot then?

        • smashed on 22/09/2017 - 10:12

          @inherentchoice:

          Yes

        • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 10:17

          @smashed: Okay. Personally I try not to think of potential buyers as idiots.

        • smashed on 22/09/2017 - 10:19

          @inherentchoice:

          I research an items value before I list it and then sell at a very competitive price.

          If the buyer believes it is only worth half of that then he is either an idiot or somebody trying to fleece me. Either way, I won't bother to engage in convo with them :)

        • inherentchoice on 22/09/2017 - 10:20

          @smashed: Odds are you may be able to sell it to the "idiot" for $75. So if you ignored them that's your loss. Many of the "idiot" buyers will have a lot more money than you or I do.

        • smashed on 22/09/2017 - 10:25

          @inherentchoice:

          Perhaps, but as I just said, I price competitively and to sell. I therefore know that it is worth 100, and won't be going under 90.

          A 50 bid certainly caught my attention, but for the wrong reason.

          I prefer to buy and sell with honour :)

  • Baysew on 22/09/2017 - 10:14

    This was one person's strategy Trying to sell on Gumtree……haha

    • haggertm on 22/09/2017 - 10:49

      Lol. Ahhh the perhaps if I tell him he wets the bed he will give me a larger discount approach.

  • follow on 22/09/2017 - 10:51

    i click on the last page and start from there. sometimes in a new listing when it says urgent, asap, need gone, i make an offer then report their ad. Ad gets removed and now I have sole access as many are too lazy to repost and just want to get rid of it. Felt bad after a while so stopped doing it tho.

    Also, people spell incorrectly or list on the wrong section (eg. car in android phone section), so i'll just type search everywhere.

    Grabbed a few note 7's during recall for cheap and refunded through Samsung for the full 1350

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