WickedThump

The seller's bane, a customer who demands to know how much you paid for an item you're selling.
How do you handle that? A person came to look at my Diamondback Apex, which I was asking $350 for. I told them it cost $500 new. They wanted "something less" so I pointed out the Kmart down the street.

ColonelJLloyd 

We have a specific subforum for threads related to buying, selling and whatnot. https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...-and-Inquiries

himespau 

Telling how much it cost new (assuming it's not really old when inflation would make a big difference) I guess is the only way I'd resolve that. Either that or say I don't remember because I've had it forever.

WickedThump

I contemplated posting it there, but was afraid it may be interpreted as "how much should I ask" instead of "how do you deal with this situation". I defer to your experience and will pose such queries there in the future.

WickedThump

I never ask that when buying, as I hope to he!! they don't remember.

gmt13

Just tell them you won it in an arm-wrestling contest.

-G

due ruote 

Ask them if they make the same inquiry at the grocery when they pick up a gallon of milk.

thinktubes 

Never answer this question. Firmly restate the selling price and ask if they are interested or not.

JReade

I paid 2x whatever I'm asking, so my loss is their gain!

Flying Merkel

A smart buyer will check Bikepedia first. In the future, I am using the arm-wrestling story.

Chris_in_Miami

I've never had anyone ask me that, though I'd probably give a random number if asked. That seems like a old fashioned tire-kicker's question, someone who's looking for "an angle" to chip away at the price. I don't expect to sell anything to those types, they annoy me enough that I won't usually bargain with them at all.

I occasionally get the silly "why are you selling it?" question. That also seems like a used car buying tactic, where the buyer is hoping an honest seller will disclose some non-obvious problem. I'm always tempted to reply "it's way too fast for me," but I typically answer that one honestly.

KonAaron Snake 

If someone asked me that I'd probably respond that I've lost track after how much money I put into the bike in parts, time, etc.

illwafer

i refer to my good friends the jerky boys in situations like this:

wrk101

I never answer that question, or if I do, I just say I don't remember (helps to be an old guy at that point).

The tougher question I get is "How long have you had it?" Realize that some bikes I sell I have only owned for a week or two, while others I have had for years. So I typically answer either: "for a long time" or "for a while".

WickedThump

I used to work for a contractor exactly like that. He'd actually talk to his clients that way.

smontanaro 

Pick your poison:

• That's for me to know and you to find out...
• None of your beeswax...
• If you have to ask you can't afford it...
• Nothing. I found it while garbage picking...
• Are you the same guy who's always asking me what my reserve price is?
• I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you...

I'm sure there are many other suitable responses.

mainducoyote

I'm sure he assumed you were the original owner and bought it new. When I get this question I usually just tell them I am not the original owner. If the buyer is trying to find out how much you are making on the bike I just tell them the amount I paid is irrelevant and that I put a lot of time into it.

fiataccompli

Guess I'm an outlier here, but I usually ask (and, this goes for cars, bikes, any kind of stuff of any significant value) questions like, "how much do you have in it" (which offers a chance to mix up purchase price + parts/upgrades), "why are you selling it?" and "how long have you had it?" To me, those all seem relevant and if a seller gets uncomfortable answering any of them it seems a little sketchy to me. I mean, there are very legitimate answers (of which I have all provided, honestly, when asked) like, "I bought it for $50, put a couple hundred bucks in parts on it, owned it for 5 years and now the market puts the value of a ____ like this at about $500 so that's what I'm asking", "I'm selling it because I really only bought it as part of a package deal with some other bikes and I'm trying to recoup part of the money I spent" or "It's a great bike, but it's a little too big for me", and "I've only owned it a short amount of time...wasn't sure what I'd do with it, but had an opportunity to purchase it and did since I knew that it's a desirable model and I'd have no trouble selling it".

There are a lot of factors in negotiating a deal on something like a bike and some people (me included, I suppose) enjoy the sort of creative aspect of navigating through working out a deal. The thing is that the price is *not* the only factor in the deal. Sometimes it's timing, sometimes it's the seller knowing the bike/car/etc. is going to someone who appreciates it the way they do, or whatever. I've also quite comfortably bought bikes and cars from people who are flipping them. I usually ask people what they paid for things (even if they aren't selling them) mostly out of interest in keeping a sort of 'intuitive' feel for the market of things I may be interested in buying at some point. There have been times when I've inquired on a friends' bike/car/etc. and the conversation ended with me offering them a price with a nice bit of profit built in where they get a quick flip and I get whatever it is that I was looking for...in other words, just because I ask someone questions like that does NOT mean or imply that I expect them to take a loss, not make a profit, etc. Of course, when I see the stuff listed for 10% of the market price on the local craigslist, I don't usually go and offer more than the asking price.....

anyway, another perspective & I suppose the conglomeration of the whole lot of them is what makes the world interesting.

auchencrow

I admit "I got a good deal on it", then let them decide if they want to pay my asking price.

brian3069

If you count my time, far more then the selling price.

sjpitts 

"I paid less than I am asking for it, but I also did A, B and C, and replaced X, Y and Z" always seems to work for me.

Most people who ask that question are just trying to avoid getting ripped off. Or figure out if you might take less than you are asking. There is no reason to be rude to someone who asks the question. Just give an honest answer.

jeirvine 

I always say "I got it in a trade". Keeps it opaque.

JReade

Thats what I always tell the S/O as well.

fiataccompli

these days, if i'm buying (or helping someone buy) i end up sorta cutting to the chase & just asking, "what do you think you'll really end up selling it for?" Lots of times (including sometimes when the answer is a repeat of the asking price), that price is about what I had in mind and it's all good. I suppose I take all of that a little lighter than some folks. I usually chuckle when someone says, "I don't want to insult you with an offer"...I mean, it's not insulting to me, I can just say no if I don't want to sell it!

iab

If I paid less, I say "Less."

If I paid more, I say "More."