I've definitely run into similar situations—some sellers genuinely believe they're holding onto hidden treasures. One thing that's worked for me is gently pointing out comparable items online or recent sales I've seen, without being confrontational. I once showed a seller a similar reclaimed door listed for half their asking price; it wasn't a magic bullet, but it did help bring expectations back down to earth... at least enough to have a productive conversation.
I've had similar experiences, though sometimes even showing comparable listings doesn't quite do the trick. Some sellers seem convinced their items have special value because of sentimental attachment or perceived uniqueness. Recently, I tried negotiating with someone who insisted their vintage fixtures were "one-of-a-kind," even though I'd seen nearly identical pieces elsewhere for way less. Eventually, I had to politely walk away.
Makes me wonder—have you found that sellers are more receptive to price adjustments when you bundle multiple items from them? I've noticed that sometimes they're willing to reconsider their pricing if they sense a larger sale is at stake. Or does bundling just complicate negotiations further in your experience?
Bundling can definitely help, but it really depends on the seller. I've had situations where offering to buy multiple items softened the seller's stance quite a bit. They start seeing the bigger picture—moving more inventory at once—and become more flexible on pricing. But I've also run into sellers who get overwhelmed or suspicious when bundling comes into play, thinking you're trying to lowball them across the board.
One thing I've found helpful is to approach bundling casually at first. Instead of immediately proposing a big package deal, I'll start by negotiating on one or two items separately. Once we've established a bit of rapport and trust, I'll mention I'm interested in other items too and ask if they'd consider a better price for multiple purchases. This way, it doesn't feel like I'm pressuring them right off the bat.
Have you tried timing your negotiations differently? Sometimes sellers who've had their listings up for a while become more receptive after realizing their items aren't moving as quickly as they'd hoped...
Timing can definitely be a factor, but honestly, I've had mixed luck with bundling overall. There was this one time I was working on a custom build and needed a bunch of reclaimed lumber and vintage hardware. Found a seller who had exactly what I needed—beautiful old barn wood and some really unique hinges and knobs. I figured, perfect opportunity to bundle and save a bit, right?
Well, I started off slow, just like you mentioned—negotiating first on the lumber, got a decent price, built up a nice rapport. Then I casually mentioned the hardware, thinking he'd appreciate moving more inventory at once. Nope. Guy immediately got suspicious, thinking I was trying to pull some slick move and lowball him. Ended up paying full price for the hardware just to smooth things over and keep the deal from falling apart completely.
On the flip side, I once stumbled onto a seller who'd been sitting on a pile of leftover flooring for months. He practically jumped at the chance to unload it all at once. Got a fantastic deal without even really trying to negotiate much—he basically offered it himself once he realized I was serious about taking everything off his hands.
I guess my takeaway is that bundling is kind of a gamble. Sometimes sellers see it as a win-win, other times they get defensive or suspicious. Timing can help, but honestly, it's more about reading the seller's personality and situation. If they seem stressed or wary from the start, bundling might just complicate things. But if they're clearly eager to move inventory, that's when bundling can really pay off.
Either way, it's always an adventure...and sometimes an expensive lesson learned, haha.
Interesting experiences you've had there. But do you think bundling might work better if you bring it up right from the start, rather than after negotiating one item? I've found sellers sometimes feel blindsided if I add more stuff later on. Maybe laying all your cards out early could help avoid that suspicion you mentioned...or do you think that'd just scare them off quicker?
