Not obvious at all..

Post a smilie smile with it then....

:)

You might just explain that you are aware the drums could be worth more than what you are prepared to offer.

For me, I would look at it like, "How badly do I want those particular drums/cymbals?" I don't need a BB or any A Zildjian cymbals badly enough to pay a "fair" market value for them. But, maybe I'm going to get a great deal simply because she doesn't want to deal with using EBay or some kind of estate auction service, etc. -and so I am saving her the time and trouble in that regard. It could just be that I was in the right place at the right time.

I went into an antique shop one day a few years back because I spied a Supra in the window. When I went in, there was the Supra and a silver sparkle 26" marching/concert bass drum (keystone badge) and a couple of older Tama stands. I asked what she wanted for the lot. She said, "I don't have any idea what they are worth....Make an offer!" . I said, "How about $70.00?" (Because that's how much I had in cash at the time). She instantly looked at me like I was crazy. "SOLD!" she responded and she was almost in disbelief that I would make such a "generous" offer! So, I took the lot. The next week, I sold the bass drum on EBay for $120.00. I kept the stands (use them on my gig) and polished up the Supra which is a perfect match for my Deluxe Classic kit. In the meantime, the antique shop lady was laughing all the way to the bank! Everyone was happy.

Did I take advantage of her? Did she take advantage of me?

Discuss!

O, you and I are on the same wavelength. Obviously some persons have to feel justified in the fact that they give a "fair" price for what someone has, and also doesn't know what they have.

When it all boils down to it, everyone finds a deal, everyone gets the other end of that deal. If some people have a price they feel is justified and the other person accepts it, who gives a rats ass about what other people think is fair?

Me personally, give me that match and I'll start that fire..... :-)

It is SO much easier when a seller gives you a figure-even grossly inflated-or deflated-that you can work off.

I made a Craigslist buy about 3 years ago-complete Slingerland 70's COW 5 piece with stands,cymbals,pedals and cases-VERY BEAT-for $125.00.Also a Gretsch Blackhawk 4 piece(5 piece w/o snare)for $50.Did I know they were worth more-yes.Spent $50 in gas and all day driving.The 2 sellers got what they wanted-"crap"out of their garage.

Two months ago I drove 1/2 hour to look at a "Tama" 7 piece that ended up being 1 Rockstar tom and 6 no-names.I explained the situation to the seller-who had no idea-what he was trying to sell and give some advice regarding listing and price.

Lastly-a neighbor asked me if I'd like to make an offer on 2 "old cars"they were getting rid of.One was a 53 Chevy hot rod,the other a 50 Merc.Easily $20,000 worth of cars.I told him so-he had NO IDEA.

I guess the answer is try your best to do the right thing.Treat others as you'd like to be treated,because it ALL COMES BACK-like"Pay it forward".

I agree with everything said in this post. As long as the seller says "sold" and is satisfied with the purchase price of the item. That is the true definition of a DEAL. Even if you paid $20 for a supra...as long as, the buyer and the seller is satisfied(and you didn't try to work him/her down from $50). Both the buyer and seller just got a deal and no one was taken advantage of.

Thought i'll finish this thread off....

i ended up going to that woman and offering her 500 Euros for the BB and the three cymbals. thats about 750 in dollars, kinda fair for me and her i thought.....

she then said, that's a deal and i should just take the Sonor Force 2000 with it as well and the worn Hardware, so it's just gone.

I took it and will now try and sell the Sonors on German eBay. i guess i'll have 150 Euros for it (no drumheads) and i can use the HW to have in my bands rehearsal room, so that'll be 350 Euros (520 Dollars) for a 1970s BB and three 1960s (thanks drunaholic) Zildjian Avedis....

deal.... :D

just to finish off: i think there's a lot of well spoken words in this thread.

- it's easier if the seller says what he wants, so there is room for negotiation. i hate making the first offer :2Cents:

- as long as everybody says "deal" => so it shall be, nothing to be "ashamed" of

- taking into account the sellers personal surroundings (if you have common friends), it's just fair to offer a fair price. if it hadn't been the case here, and i maybe would have found those drums "by accident" i would have gone lower in price as well. but like this, i have to be able to justify myself in front on my friend (also a drummer) as well.

again: i want to thank everybody for their input. i've been member on this forum for more than 3 years now, and although i know people are not always of the same opinion (some parts of this thread, or the "international ebay shipping discussion" in another thread), i just love talking about all our favourite themes here - vintage drums, and drumming in general. Group Hug

i am living in the german countryside, and although i've gotten to know a few people in the German vintage drum scene now, i hugely appreciate the knowledge and input that i get here, while most of my friends (incuding my fiancee) don't get the fascination..... surprise... :rolleyes:

Pictures of your newest items....when you can

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Sounds like it worked out very well for all involved Clapping Happy2[/COLOR]

WAIT!!!

I was at work all day. I didn't get to say my piece...

"Offer a fair price."

ok.

I'm done.

Thanks guys...whew...got that off my chest.

That was a MAJOR score with that 70's Black Beauty!!! The new B/O badge ones sell in the $500 range, but the 70's ones usually sell in the $1000 to $2000 range: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Ludwig-Super-Sensitive-Black-Beauty-Snare-Drum_W0QQitemZ300364343727QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintgae_Drums_Percussion?hash=item45ef1c29af

I'd say you did very, very well!