Feeling pushed by buyers..

I dont know if its just me ,and i dont even know why i felt like making this post,as i rarely start any, but lately i feel like people want everything for nothing.

I tried to sell some of my girls on several places and It breaks my heart to see they want everything on a cheap! I am all up for bargain and making both sides happy, but sometimes it ends up feeling like you are being pushed by the buyer to give them your items for cheaper.

I had offers with low ball prices and they say stuff like ,well its going cheaper on ebay... I dont think my girls are unreasonable priced, as i rarely make any profit at all.

 

have you ever felt like you are dealing with idiots or being pushed or treated rudely just because you know the worth of your girls?

 

In the end i have decided to keep my girls in their boxes for now and see how i feel about them in few weeks as I just cannot deal with people who thinks I am a charity... I find selling anything lately is a very stressfull experience. Not sure if its a climate but i got a feeling people are getting more hostile. (take couponing for example. i work in a shop and they just go crazy if i dont accept them all)

Yes, I've experienced this too.. When I stated that I'm open to negotiations and price offers I got messages like "What's the lowest price you can do?". That isn't how negotiations work, first they make an offer, then I make one and we can meet in the middle and not just asking for a super low price. When I answered with a normal price including shipping I just got "That's too expensive, you HAVE to go lower" and I never got a normal offer instead ~-~ Well I just kept the item or gave it to somebody nicer who made a better deal.

 

For me price offers usually are the prices stated by the seller but with free shipping, but it seems many people are more greedy than that.

 

Freya_21, you're not alone with this problem as a friend of mine just had that recently but decided to keep the item instead of going with the super low offer. Unfortunately you can't leave any feedback when there was no transaction, even though some potential buyers are unreasonable or just plain rude.

You're absolutely doing nothing wrong, people should respect your prices and the objects you have for sale. Unfortunately, I've seen pushy buyers and sellers alike...

 

I just want to bring up some points as a frequent buyer and seller. When it comes to wanting to buy something for a lower price, I almost never throw out an offer price. I firmly believe that the seller has a price range in their mind when they put something up for sale. it's only meaningful for them to sell their items if it meets this price range.

 

Because DD items are often in fluctuation, we can easily have a different idea of what the appropriate price may be. For instance, DD bodies were worth ~$300-400 at some point about a year and a half ago but now they can be found for ~$150-$350. It's hard to keep track of everything on the doll market and it's better to just understand what the seller's range is instead of making an offer that is too low, resulting in accidentally insulting the seller.

 

Of course, if I see eBay or another seller selling the same item for cheaper, I'd request a lower price. In this case, the proposition is up to the seller. Do you absolutely need to sell it now? Then your price needs to be competitive. Otherwise, it may be smarter to keep your items for later when the market changes.

While I am not experienced in the doll market (only bought a few bits and pieces, hi Kitsune!) I think this is a pretty standard thing in any market and for all people. Everyone wants to spend as little as possible.

 

I think as a European seller, you may have a harder time since you've had to pay import duties/customs and so even your "Cost price" is going to be higher than people see in the US or Japan.

 

I've inquired about a few items Europeans are selling, but they always end up being too expensive (or, more expensive than I am willing to pay) largely due to the excess shipping and customs costs. I simply don't bother looking at entire dolls in the aftermarket, as they're just too expensive for me. I've given up on the idea of getting a few older girls I'd really like, because it simply won't happen at a price I can afford. (Australian customs threshold is $1000, but as soon as you go over that, the prices for customs handling/tax/duties become insane and a $1100 doll will rapidly become a $1600 one, for example).

 

It's a bummer, but simply part of international trade, I fear. Lowballing base costs is rude, but things like shipping and customs costs seem to be the biggest issue.

 

While I think there are plainly some rude buyers around who think offering $200 for a complete girl is fine "because it is used" you can simply ignore them because that's not how the DD market works.

 

I think what it comes down to, is how much do you need the money. Is it more of a problem for you to keep the girls to sell a bit further down the line, or are you fine with taking a loss due to shipping/customs. Do you absolutely have to make more than you spent, or do you really need the money to pay for some unexpected bill or something. All these things influence sales.

 

That all said, I entirely gave up on trying to sell anime figures, even though I have a few dozen I'd like to part with (for space, more than anything else) because domestic buyers won't pay even half their original price, and international buyers won't pay shipping costs.

 

Anyway. If you're not in a hurry, just re-list them every few months. You'll eventually get a solid bite.

Honestly, to all sellers/buyers I'd just like to say "Toughen up". You're dealing with people that want something you have, of course they're gonna get pushy and try to get the best price. That's how the market works.

 

Dealing with other people isn't always the prettiest, especially not in a global community where you have people from all kinds of different cultures/countries. What's accepted in one place can be seen as rude in another.

Dealing with other people isn't always the prettiest, especially not in a global community where you have people from all kinds of different cultures/countries. What's accepted in one place can be seen as rude in another.

 

This is very true and I've seen it time and again.

 

As a buyer and seller, I've run into this before as well. Luckily I haven't had too many people try to push me into anything yet. But I was in retail sales for almost 20 years so I know how to play the negotiation games quite well.

 

And I'll readily admit that when I buy from people, I also try and get a deal from them. But I don't ask for insane cuts in price tho... most often I try to get free shipping within the US or I try for a few bucks off depending on how much I'm wanting to buy. Sellers I deal with often usually humor me and give me a little off like $5 or something similar..... and that's really all I'm looking for.

 

I don't want something for nothing because I know this hobby isn't cheap. I just want to feel like I'm being taken care of in some way or another whether it's 2 bucks off an outfit or free shipping of like $6. Every little bit counts and I make sure to thank the seller for any help they can give.

 

I think that's what some people don't get overall..... it's a give and take and you just have to be nice to sellers or buyers to get what you want. If you're a jackass then you should be treated like one.

 

 

 

Billy

I don't want something for nothing because I know this hobby isn't cheap. I just want to feel like I'm being taken care of in some way or another whether it's 2 bucks off an outfit or free shipping of like $6. Every little bit counts and I make sure to thank the seller for any help they can give.

I think another problem is that there are a lot of people that don't realize how expensive a DD is. They see the prices from Volks, and most likely think "But if I buy used from someone I can get it much cheaper!" because that's how a lot of other things work. DDs is an exception though.

 

We know the value of our stuff, a lot of other people don't.

I admit I go a little O_o when I see someone selling a blank 42$ DD head for 120$ on ebay. I was willing to pay a huge mark up on my grail girl because she's limited, but a standard? Nope nope.

 

What's annoying me right now is flaky buyers. I've sold two vinyls recently and had two others where they sold at ebay auction and the buyer was like "yeeeeeah I can't actually pay for that." 50% flake rate is depressing.

have you ever felt like you are dealing with idiots or being pushed or treated rudely just because you know the worth of your girls?

 

Quite often, and in many hobbies, not just DDs. Its true in cosplay markets (what do u mean your screen-exact cosplay will cost me 3-digits? I can get it on Taobao for 50bucks! ... then go there and complain about cheap fabric later?), its true in frills/lolita fashion market, it was hella true when selling off the manga collection (books are heavy, shipping adds up.. deal!)

And then heavens forbid you remind people that PP takes a fee and Intl shipping costs an arm and a kidney, so that really expensive thing you just sold 'em with free shipping ... is suddenly bringing u even less money...

I think a lot of folks don't realize how much EU customs adds to the cost, we are lucky here in the USA. Plus there are things like PP fees and foreign currency transaction fees to take into account too. And as waha mentioned, newbies don't realize that used dolls usually don't decrease in value. I made this mistake the first time I was looking for a certain resin BJD, assuming it would be less since it was 'old' and 'used'

 

The nice thing about selling on the forum is that you aren't obliged to sell to just anyone. With ebay, somebody sketchy or rude can win the auction and you have to accommodate them. Here you can even make friends with a nice transaction. Just decline the lowball offers and move on, you can't take it personally.

I've just sold some stuff on eBay after not having done so in recent years. I don't know if I was just unlucky but I was really annoyed by the expectations of people who asked questions (and the a-hole who bought one of my items, threatening to leave negative feedback because he couldn't find something of trivial importance). They're buying something used that's a few years old, which honestly is in perfect useable condition, and is a fraction of the original price. Yet they're greedily expecting something brand new. It's like, wut? What's wrong with you, buy it new if you want something new.

 

I feel kind of sorry for the Europeans selling DD stuff though. From their perspective & cost it's a fair price (especially if it's something they bought a couple years ago), but I look at the Euro exchange rate and, well, ouch. I think that really limits potential buyers.

I think another problem with tbe whole 'used' issue is that a lot of non-Volks bjds are less expensive used. It has to do with whether the item was limited or not. If not, then the attitude is like, well why would I pay that for a used doll when I could still just order a new one from the company.

 

Those new to the world of Dollfie Dreams, but familiar with the world of non-Volks bjds, may be in for a shock because even a used standard DD can go for right around the same price that it cost new since those girls aren't always in stock.

When I'm selling something I usually hunt about online and get an idea on current value so my prices are usually pretty reasonable if not slightly cheaper than anywhere else. Still it does really annoy me when people look for things at crazy cheap prices but all you can do is just say no and wait longer to sell your item later on.

I think this is in any hobby second hand markets. I know and I will openly admit that I am a cheeky buyer. I wont ask stupidly low prices at all but I do ask if that can round it down to the closest £/$ ( I hate dealing in pence/cent) and if its a doll I do ask if they may have extras like maybe a top or bottoms if I know I wont have it for the doll I will be getting ( I asked when I bought my Error. she is the first DDS I have owned and seen in person so I was unsure on if I had things to fit.) but when the buyer said he didn't I was fine with that.

 

As other have said too. Us in the Eu ( UK is so hard for this hobby) that the people buying don't think of the charges that have happened or may happen if there buying in. Error cost be 1100 and the 300 ON TOP of that for charges. so base selling price for me will be above $1400 ( which will never happen she is mine forever now Mwhaha!) witch others may see and this is stupid but for a member IN the UK buying they are missing out on another charge that may happen.

 

I would stick to your guns.. set the sale price and set your self a lowest price that is not public and don't go lower. if they say its cheaper else where wish them luck else where. the market will forever be changing and long as you see this and a just your prices where needed then there is no problem. I have seen your sale posts and I honestly would buy them if I had the money ( and if they were on my list to get) since they are very well prised.

I didnt think that my topic will trigger so many responses. Thank you everyone for your inputs!!

 

Yes well as i stated I dont mind people ask for a deal. I am more than happy to do so, for example in the past i have included international shipping in sales or pp fees etc.

It is indeed harder to sell for a European person as the GBP is quite strong at the minute...

 

Regarding "toughening up". Well, sometimes people do not expect people who says they were looking for WS Mariko for a long time, offering 30% of her real cost (Seriously) and when i said no , them being rude and saying I should lower my prices. even though my one is practically flawless.

Then 550usd for a fullset limited dollfie... Just some examples.

I will admit i am at a vulnerable stage mentally, and things like these (if it was only one i would ignore it but i had 4 people offering ridiculous amounts or asking for 1 year layaways) and few more wasting my time...

 

I indeed decided to keep my girls. After all, one good thing about this hobby is, that they keep their value for longer . So it is not like when you buy a car or jewellery and never get your money back.

 

Once again thanks to everyone for your replies. And I am sorry for whining. It just really upset me last night.

When I have asked for a deal it is usually a little bit of a low ball but not something like 30% of the asking price I try for simple things like 10% or 20% off or free shipping, and negotiations happen but I'm very much polite about it.

 

When I've been a seller I've had a price in mind that I won't go lower than a certain point, I know that at minimum I want to get this much out of my item. I put up a relatively competitive price and if someone wants to try talking me down we can work something out.

 

I work in customer service at a call center. I have people who try to get something for nothing all. day. long. lol They don't quite understand that they can't really bargain at a supermarket (forget couponing is a thing now lol) with fixed prices and it can be hilarious the bad deals that people try to give you but really annoying when they're persistent

 

I had one guy try to get $30 discount off his monthly bill each month just because he'd "been a Looooong time Loooooyal customer of 50 years (be sure to make sure your tongue brushes your lips with those L's) actual account tenure = barely 2 years and he rarely paid his bill . . .I think not, Sir lol

 

I had someone on DoA turn down my price as too high and came back a little later and someone else had already snapped him up for my asking price.

 

Stick to your guns don't walk away from any transaction less than happy. Always make sure that you know how much you want out of the item at minimum and be willing to walk away if you don't like the deal. Good luck buying/selling!

I think it's totally within the seller's rights to turn down offers they don't like. Some buyers are naive, or rude, or maybe just hopeful. Maybe they've seen that doll for a fairly low price one time, and think "Well then I should be able to find it again for that price." I admit, I compare doll sale prices to what I payed for my dolls. For example, I got my Alice for 60k yen (before shipping/exchange/proxy fees), so when I see someone selling Alice for $900 or $1000 I think, yikes so expensive! But again, it's okay to turn down offers you think are too low, the potential buyer can deal with it.

 

I do think it would be good for sellers to consider the actual value of the item when they price it. Maybe they paid a lot for it, but that doesn't mean anyone will pay that price. Say you (general you) bought a doll new from Volks for $600, but had to pay $250 in shipping and customs. If you sell that doll, you can make all your money back by pricing it at $850. In this case, $850 is probably at or below market value and selling won't be hard. On the other hand, maybe you bought a doll secondhand for $1000, and had to pay $300 in shipping and customs. The market value for this doll is still $1000, so if you price it at $1300, that is too high and people probably won't want to buy it. The doll will sit on sale for a long time, if the price really isn't good.

 

Lastly... I don't feel it should be the buyer's responsibility to pay the high customs fees that the seller had to pay. I think there's a point when one just has to accept that they can't make all the money they spent back when selling.

Lastly... I don't feel it should be the buyer's responsibility to pay the high customs fees that the seller had to pay. I think there's a point when one just has to accept that they can't make all the money they spent back when selling.

 

That is a really good point. It's something that I see in the BJD hobby a lot. People try to make absolutely everything back when at times it just isn't possible. The doll just might not be worth the price you paid for it and you might have to take a hit. No one wants to, but that's how the second hand market works.

 

The one thing I don't get is how some can ask fullset price for a naked and sometimes eyeless doll.

Honestly, to all sellers/buyers I'd just like to say "Toughen up". You're dealing with people that want something you have, of course they're gonna get pushy and try to get the best price. That's how the market works.

 

Dealing with other people isn't always the prettiest, especially not in a global community where you have people from all kinds of different cultures/countries. What's accepted in one place can be seen as rude in another.

 

Have to agree with this. The market is soft right now, and people are being more cautious of their choices.

I instated a solid no aftermarket buying on DD for myself, after seeing the ridiculous "after-market" prices. I think many others are starting to feel the way I do, that they would rather just wait it out and pay retail for a brand new doll, vs 50-100% mark-up on a used doll that may or may not include everything. However its all about patience. If you want the shiny now, expect to pay up.

 

As far as selling, a problem is the unrealistic expectation of trying to make back custom fees, shipping, etc on a USED doll. It is USED. Custom fees and shipping are part of the original buyers responsibility if they want to bring the doll home, not the potential person you sell it to later. I would say that is just as greedy as people looking for a super discount.

 

I personally will not support crazy after-market prices on DD. As a seller I have been pretty fair and realistic with my pricing, and I get my fair share of people looking for an even better deal. I just ignore them and move on. Taking that type of thing personally is a waste of time. And it is true that different countries see bartering/haggling differently. It is expected and accepted in some places, and considered rude in others.

 

Story time :p

I have only one dealing I should have left alone. I am guilty of low-balling on a Miki Hoshii, wanting the original body instead of a DDII that was offered. I was never rude, but I can see now how the seller must have felt offended at the price I offered. This is why I do not dabble in after-market now. It made me realize I find it stupid to pay those prices on used merchandise, and I don't want to unintentionally be rude to sellers.

Rude is rude in any culture, language and country and no one should have to endure that when selling (or buying) a doll. Common decency goes a long way.

 

Newbies making mistakes is a different thing because that is not intentional. Some people are just mean and greedy and it is disrespectful.

 

We would do well to all recall the "golden rule" of treating others the way you would like to be treated.

Rude is rude in any culture, language and country and no one should have to endure that when selling (or buying) a doll. Common decency goes a long way.

So true, but let's keep in mind that in some parts of the world, negotiating for a lower price is part of the culture - its a normal part of the purchase process regardless of what is being bought. Someone who's used to being able to negotiate about a lower price could potentially get offended if they're refused their assumed right to negotiate. Asking the seller for 70% off is probably a bit too much regardless of culture though.

With mark ups to cover customs fees, if it is a rare doll no one else is selling I will suck it up and pay. With a standard though, I am not going to pay more than new to cover someone else's customs fees. Why would I when I could just get something new for the same or lower price? Usually if I don't like the price though I just wait for a better offer. Ie someone is selling a misaki mei on amazon for 900. I bought mine for 450 after ems on mandarake. I waited months to find cirno at a price I was willing to pay.

Oh boy! This topic clearly punched a "hot button" for a lot of people! One thing that I didn't see emphasized, though, is the currency exchange rate and how that can have a serious impact on the price of things...and probably also on what people offer to sellers.

For example, right now the value of the Canadian dollar SUCKS and I must say that this does have an impact on any offer I make for something. I hope that sellers don't consider me as being rude or greedy, but the reality is that a doll listed at $900 US dollars actually costs me almost $1000 Canadian not including shipping, customs, and paypal fees (also all in US dollars). Before you say it, though I know you're thinking it, keep in mind that I earn my money in Canadian dollars so that is what I have to keep in mind when I'm determining the top price I am willing/able to pay for something. Sorry to say that I don't even read sales thread for anything from Australia any more because I know the exchange rate is even worse for them than for the US!

When I offer an amount, I usually try to explain what the exchange rate means in terms of costs for me and that I hope I'm not offending the seller, but after reading all these comments, it is quite possible that I have unintentionally done exactly that!

I am never offended or upset if someone responds with "No. The price I'm asking is how much it is." I completely understand that, but at the same time, if I'm interested in the item, I figure there is no harm in asking about the price. (I do think a 70% discount request and/or a long layaway is terrible, though, and agree that if someone says "I saw it cheaper on Ebay then they should just buy it from Ebay and not bother the seller here!) I think if everyone makes the honest effort to be polite, maybe explain things a bit, and not take anything personally, then selling or buying wouldn't be quite so stressful.

I do agree with the comments people have made about those sellers (not on our forum, but elsewhere) who are clearly only out to make as much money as possible by wanting two or three times the original cost of something! They are just greedy and obviously not really interested in the hobby at all!! They are just out to make a buck and have no real attachment to DD's. Shame on them!!

Bouncing_Tigger has a good point, I can't look at most sale threads that list their price in Euro. I just can't. The exchange rate is very harsh for me because it's almost double price on everything.

 

However, I do try and manage with the asking price. I tend to just purchase items either from japan or in USD.

 

I hate excess mark ups though. The mark up for profit + shipping + x amount because of layaway + pp fees for each installment . I'm not complaining about anyone personally. I just hate the practice hobby wide.

 

I feel like I know why it's done like to deter layaway and get a quicker sale, also like interest for having to be paid over time. I also kinda get why people don't list PP fees in their asking price but it doesn't make it any less of a peeve of mine. Just include it in your price, darn it, it's not that hard! I hate being attracted to one price and then having to watch it increase because a seller doesn't want to pay fees that per Paypal's TOS is just a fact of life. It's similar to adding in the customs fees in practice.

 

It's either pay extra for the doll + shipping, and the more expensive an the combined price is the higher that extra fee is or give up your buyer protection. I hate giving up my protection, I know it seems tiny and trivial to some, but I would just rather you tell me out front that you'd like to get 1350 + shipping No fees. which would come out closer to 1400, then bring me in with $1300 then add 40 for shipping, and 40 for paypal fees to get to that number.

 

It just leaves a taste that I don't like lol. I'd gladly have paid the first number, the other just doesn't sit well I've had flake sellers before and if it weren't for the fees I paid I'd have lost out trying to save some cash, and I've seen too many people actually lose out because they were trying to avoid that price hike.

 

Thankfully on this forum scammers and jerks don't really seem to be that big of an issue but it does run rampant on larger forums and in other hobbies.

 

I tend to look for deals via Mandarake and and Yahoo Japan nowadays or just hold off on buying until the price after all that drops to somewhere reasonable on the forum.

I feel like I know why it's done like to deter layaway and get a quicker sale, also like interest for having to be paid over time. I also kinda get why people don't list PP fees in their asking price but it doesn't make it any less of a peeve of mine. Just include it in your price, darn it, it's not that hard! I hate being attracted to one price and then having to watch it increase because a seller doesn't want to pay fees that per Paypal's TOS is just a fact of life. It's similar to adding in the customs fees in practice.

Paypal fees do differ a lot between countries and what method you use to pay. If someone in the US decides to buy something using money from his/her bank account why should he/she have to pay a PP fee that's baked into the price? Sure, the seller can remove the fees from the price, but in the end that's the same problem as adding them on after.