- Jun 13, 2012
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- Married
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- US-Libertarian
I had the task of sorting through a lifetime of possessions when my parents passed. They started a lot of hobbies that they never really got into. It's a common theme, I'm sure. I've embarked on a few myself. The difference is that my parents didn't ease into hobbies. They purchased everything at once, usually top-of-the-line, the moment they had any interest in something. It was hard going through all their stuff, much of it unused, and being aware of the price tags on these items. The resale value was very modest.
As a result, I've always approached hobbies with caution. I try to make due with what I have, or find cheap or used components to start out. For years, I have been working out with hand-me-down equipment. Some of it is in pretty rough shape, and I've had to get creative with some of the exercises as components break. So I finally decided that this was a hobby I was really going to stick with. It's part of my routine and I'm confident that if I purchase an upgrade, I'll actually use it. So I've been scouring Craigslist for used weight sets.
Sure enough, there are plenty of people who purchased their equipment with good intentions, never used it, and are finally resigned to that fact and just want it out of their house. Some of them are clearly trying to recoup their costs, but most of them eventually price their pieces to sell. With so many cheap listings, I had no intention of paying for a "full price" set. I contacted a seller who "just wanted it out of here," but didn't list a price. I asked for a ball park cost twice before agreeing to see the machine, but he just said "make an offer." Well I wanted to see it before I made an offer. So no price was mentioned by either party.
I should specify that I arranged to see this machine first due to proximity. It was literally the closest one. But the listing was identical to three others this week, which I would also go see if I didn't purchase this one. The highest priced current listing was $150. I had seen some as low as $65 to $80 the month before, prior to deciding to buy. So $150 was my upper limit and that was all the money I brought.
The guy went through quite the effort to get this thing out of storage and set it up for me, and I felt kind of bad about it. He even joked that seeing it all set up made him want to keep it. I asked again, what did he want for it? He said make an offer. I said $100. He balked at that and said, "Are you kidding?" So I offered $150. He said he might let it go for $200, but was clearly uncomfortable with that even. I suspect he bought it new and that price tag was still fresh in his mind. I politely said I couldn't go over $150 because there are so many on the market for less than that right now. Honestly, I wouldn't have bothered to see it if I knew what he expected for it, and only made my offer because of the trouble he went through and the fact I was already there. I said I didn't want to take it from him for less than he was comfortable with, and suggested he keep it, since it looked like he kind of wanted to after all. He said no, it's fine, it's been in storage forever. Go ahead and take it for $150. I said, "Are you sure??" He said yes and helped me load it up, despite looking very disappointed.
My husband said I shouldn't feel bad. I didn't force him to sell it. But it really bothers me how disappointed that man was at my offer. I mean, I'm not willing to spend an extra $50+ to make him feel better, as my decision to buy one was based on what I perceived to be the going rate. No sense in buying a weight set for $200+ when there's one for $150 just a few miles farther. But I do feel like I should have communicated my budget earlier in the process. I just assumed he looked at the going rate when he listed it, but apparently not. I know how hard it is to get a low-ball offer on stuff when you know its original price... I endured plenty of that while settling my parents' estate. I guess I'm just curious what people think I should have done differently??
As a result, I've always approached hobbies with caution. I try to make due with what I have, or find cheap or used components to start out. For years, I have been working out with hand-me-down equipment. Some of it is in pretty rough shape, and I've had to get creative with some of the exercises as components break. So I finally decided that this was a hobby I was really going to stick with. It's part of my routine and I'm confident that if I purchase an upgrade, I'll actually use it. So I've been scouring Craigslist for used weight sets.
Sure enough, there are plenty of people who purchased their equipment with good intentions, never used it, and are finally resigned to that fact and just want it out of their house. Some of them are clearly trying to recoup their costs, but most of them eventually price their pieces to sell. With so many cheap listings, I had no intention of paying for a "full price" set. I contacted a seller who "just wanted it out of here," but didn't list a price. I asked for a ball park cost twice before agreeing to see the machine, but he just said "make an offer." Well I wanted to see it before I made an offer. So no price was mentioned by either party.
I should specify that I arranged to see this machine first due to proximity. It was literally the closest one. But the listing was identical to three others this week, which I would also go see if I didn't purchase this one. The highest priced current listing was $150. I had seen some as low as $65 to $80 the month before, prior to deciding to buy. So $150 was my upper limit and that was all the money I brought.
The guy went through quite the effort to get this thing out of storage and set it up for me, and I felt kind of bad about it. He even joked that seeing it all set up made him want to keep it. I asked again, what did he want for it? He said make an offer. I said $100. He balked at that and said, "Are you kidding?" So I offered $150. He said he might let it go for $200, but was clearly uncomfortable with that even. I suspect he bought it new and that price tag was still fresh in his mind. I politely said I couldn't go over $150 because there are so many on the market for less than that right now. Honestly, I wouldn't have bothered to see it if I knew what he expected for it, and only made my offer because of the trouble he went through and the fact I was already there. I said I didn't want to take it from him for less than he was comfortable with, and suggested he keep it, since it looked like he kind of wanted to after all. He said no, it's fine, it's been in storage forever. Go ahead and take it for $150. I said, "Are you sure??" He said yes and helped me load it up, despite looking very disappointed.
My husband said I shouldn't feel bad. I didn't force him to sell it. But it really bothers me how disappointed that man was at my offer. I mean, I'm not willing to spend an extra $50+ to make him feel better, as my decision to buy one was based on what I perceived to be the going rate. No sense in buying a weight set for $200+ when there's one for $150 just a few miles farther. But I do feel like I should have communicated my budget earlier in the process. I just assumed he looked at the going rate when he listed it, but apparently not. I know how hard it is to get a low-ball offer on stuff when you know its original price... I endured plenty of that while settling my parents' estate. I guess I'm just curious what people think I should have done differently??
