It depends on the situation for me too.
For example, if I'm buying something from someone who appears to be selling prized possessions because they need the money then I feel sympathetic towards their needs. I've fallen into hard times on a few occasions myself.
Several times when I've tried to offer someone more money they've turned me down! Is it pride or something they just want to get rid of?
When I go to swap meets I usually have a bunch of things that I "just want to get rid of" too and I'll usually take any offer for those items.
On the other hand, when I'm dealing with a knowledgeable seller then all's fair. If I get a great deal then I'm very happy.
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
Mark Stonich wrote:
> At 06:14 PM 1/18/2010, coel canth wrote:
>> are there really people out there offering to pay two or three times
>> asking price when they stumble upon a SWEET DEAL ?!?
>
> Depends on the situation;
> I did pay 3 times the asking price for a low mileage '70 Moulton Mk
> III. The seller had just lost her job and had no idea what it was worth.
> I paid the widow of a well known local bike nut twice what she had been
> told a '57 RRA project was worth.
>
> OTOH
>
> I was offered a very clean Jack Taylor Lugged Tourist frame, fork and
> racks* for $275!!!. He obviously didn't know what it was worth so I
> offered him $250 and we settled on $262.50.
>
> The difference?
> The seller had been given the JT by an English friend. He said he
> didn't use it because the frame weighed 1/2 a pound more than his Trek
> 720 frame. When the friend passed away he was finally free to get rid
> of it. That he had a house the size of my lot and he and the wife had
> matching Escalades may have made me even more determined to get it as
> cheaply as possible.
>
> *The front rack had never been installed, the rear installed but never
> used. Also a TA BB in like new condition.
>
> BTW I thought he`was Philistine for preferring a Trek over a Jack
> Taylor. But now I also have a 720 and can sorta see his point. The
> story of the Taylor brothers, and British framebuilding are fascinating
> to me. If they weren't, I might favor the Trek too.
>
> Mark Stonich;
> BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
> 5349 Elliot Ave S. - Minneapolis. MN 55417
> Ph. (612) 824-2372 http://bikesmithdesign.com