How should I handle a tag/garage/estate sale when they post a sign “No Reasonable Offer Refused”?
July 15, 2012 | 
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Question by debodun: How should I handle a tag/garage/estate sale when they post a sign “No Reasonable Offer Refused”?
I’ve found what a buyer considers “reasonable” differs significantly from what the seller expects. For instance, at one sale there were some Avon perfume bottles that weren’t marked. When I asked the price, the person running the sale said “Make me an offer.” I said “Fifty cents each.” She looked like I just slapped her across the face. Then she responded “For Avon? Those bottles are worth at least ten dollars apiece. I think I’ll keep them, then.” To which I replied, ” For used and empty bottles? I guess you will!”
I think it would be better to just mark what they want on the items to avoid confusion and embarrassment on both sides.
Best answer:
Answer by flustered_homeowner
I hate it when cheapos show up for a garage sale. They’re always looking for that Ming vase for 10 cents, then try to talk you into giving it to them. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the value of collectibles. There are enough books around on just about everything, then you will KNOW what is a REASONABLE offer.
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2 Responses to “How should I handle a tag/garage/estate sale when they post a sign “No Reasonable Offer Refused”?”
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I tried to do that at a garage sale this past summer, and when people would say, “What do you want for this?”, I would say, “Well, how much are you willing to give me for it?” And then the person would say 10 cents for an antique cookie jar or painting that I know is worth at least $ 20, but I’m willing to part with it for $ 5. But when someone says 10 cents or 50 cents, its like a slap in the face.
Finally, after making almost no money that day, and having a garage full of stuff to get rid of, I had a sale where I posted “Everything for $ 1″, and I wound up selling over 80 items.
When people hear something is $ 1, they’ll pay that dollar for a book that has water damage and earwigs falling out of it, as well as for an enormous toolbox filled with tools. So, you are kind of ripping yourself off, and them at the same time. But it sold a third of the stuff in my garage and thats all I cared about.
I totally know what you mean. I think that it is extremely lazy for people not to price their items in their sale. If they want to price them and then also put up a sale saying that they would accept reasonable offers it would avoid a lot of confusion. That way customers will know what the seller thinks is a reasonable offer.