Make an Offer

To anyone planning to sell something online, I have a tip that will make the process much easier for both you and the buyer.  Do not use the phrase "make an offer" in the listing.

If you are selling something, I assume you have some idea of what you would like to get for it.  The only reason you would ever write "make an offer" is if you have some silly notion that someone is going to suggest a price higher than what you are considering asking for it.  This RARELY happens and most of the time those three little words turn buyers away, losing you a potential sale.

Here's a great example.  On Facebook, a mother was selling a used baby swing.  She posted a stock photo and only wrote, "Make an Offer".  Another mom made an offer of $15.  The poster replied that the swing was barely used and that offer was way too low as the swing originally sells for $170.  Now, given that bit of information, it may have been more beneficial to post the stock photo and say, "Cradle swing, barely used $100".  That may have drawn more attention for the item from people willing to pay her price.

Unfortunately, if she thinks $15 is "way too low" she has another thing coming.  Those cradle swings have been going for anywhere from $20 to $30 on the site, so it's doubtful that she'll get what she wants for it, especially with her perky attitude and happy disposition.  (Sarcasm is just one more service I offer.)

So let that be a lesson to all you sellers on Facebook and Craigslist.  Nobody wants to guess what outrageous price you want for your item.  "Make an offer" usually means you're just ashamed to ask for what you want because you know it's too high.  Anyone who's ever bought anything online before won't respond to your ad and you'll probably wind up negotiating a lower price anyway with someone who won't show up to meet you.

Good luck all of you "make an offer" posters.  I hope your items don't sell until you name a price.