GET YOUR OFFERS TO MUSIC SELLERS ACCEPTED

  With the plethora of musical sellers on the internet and in the still remaining brick and mortar stores (which I prefer as real people make real deals), added to the push by giant retail sites such as eBay to constantly lower one's price, especially to the ubiquitous penny sellers, it seems you can get anything you want virtually for free. But the reality is, the 1 cent sellers usually have a lot of the same things. However, if your taste runs just past average, the choices of sellers giving away product for the enrichment of the selling site, goes down, and the price goes up. I don't sell anything at a penny. I, and many other sellers, feel if that's all something is worth, why do I need to carry it in stock? Or in auction. So, while there are many penny sellers selling penny goods, the majority of items are going to go for what they are really worth. At least, us sellers hope so.

  But there is much room for bargaining on CDS, LPS (that rare CD rap single) and anything else you might want from electronics to toys and beyond. There are some strategies that might help you get some of them at a nice discount. Ebay offers a make an offer choice, and many sellers do so. But, if you really want to get realistic and have your offer accepted by these sellers, and the many who do not opt into the make an offer program, but will bargain nonetheless, me included., try some of these strategies.

  No. 1, don't ask a seller to take next to nothing for something for that Klaus Schulze album, just because you want it. After all, he or she paid something to get it, expended much work to list it and carry it in stock, so stop and figure out what sellers might have paid, a third to half and sometimes more for really rare items, and then leave a few cents in their pockets. Don't offer 10 cents on an 8.99 item or $50 on a $300 stereo system in mint condition. Ain't gonna happen. Try $5.99 on the $8.99 item or $225 on the $300 system, and you let them make some profit and a sale. If you think it's not even worth those prices, don't waste your time or the sellers.

  No. 2, offering a silly price on one item will get you blown off almost 99% of the time. Realize, that you are not a valued customer yet (and probably won't be at a goofy price), and the seller has no real reason to deal with you. But, add a few more items to the package, at a ballpark price and the seller will most likely deal, again because you are allowing him or her room to make a few bucks. You know like three $8.99 CDS or LPs for $20.00 bucks is pretty good for everyone (and I and other music sellers will often ship all of it for one price, saving you a bit more).

  No. 3, do your homework, make sure there's room to negotiate, and you aren't trying to beat down a $500 Elvis album to $50.00. No reason, if it is that rare for a seller to do so. He or She isn't going to replace it tomorrow, so they can sit and wait. However, if you have been coveting and waiting for six months, try offering half and then going up or down depending on the answer. Time is money to sellers, and while they may not find another Elvis (nor might you), they could use the money to buy 10 Rolling Stone items for stock.

  No. 4. In this day of email nicknames, it's hard for me and other sellers to remember who you are, as we don't have names to go with the nicknames all the time, so make sure your seller knows you have been a good customer for a while now, and are just trying to work a deal with your favorite seller, you know, keeping the money in the right spot. Good customers are very likely to get good customer discounts. Ask my buyers.

  No. 5, get your discount in the shipping. I offer one price no matter how much you buy in one day/one order. Many others have special prices as well, and if you aren't paying 10 or 15 shipping fees, you already got a better deal than Make an Offer.

  I hope this helps, I like dealing, but not at the expense of going out of business. Remember, buy more than one (quantity discount), do your homework (wait out the seller), save on shipping, and think in terms of being a seller. What would you sell it for? Thanks and come on buy and make me an offer I can't refuse.

Thanks and happy hunting, Rather Russ at the Dedicated Fool Music Store.