Let’s say you’re at a sale and you have an item you want to buy. You’ve bargained the seller down to $5 but it’s more than you want to pay and the seller refuses to go any lower. What do you do?
There are numerous ways you can proceed. The first is simple: if the manual isn’t there and you know or suspect the item came with one, ask if the owner has it. Same goes for a software CD or some other accessory. I would say that 95% of the time the seller is lacking one or more of these items. Exploit that fact. ”Well, if you don’t have the manual, I can only give you $2. I want to be sure I can use it.” This is a seemingly legitimate argument and sellers are almost always willing to reduce their price upon hearing it.
Protip: manuals for just about everything exist on the internet. Just go to Google and search for the product number + “manual.” I’ve used Google after purchasing calculators, Nerf Guns, digital cameras, home security systems, and video game consoles. I have found the manual every time. Don't worry if the owner doesn't have the manual, the Internet does.
A similar techniques involves Inspecting the item for any physical flaws: scratches, torn covers, scuffs, etc. If you see any, ask for a reduced price; you’re buying damaged goods, after all.
Protip: if you purchase a severely scratched DVD or CD that has trouble playing int your player, rip it to your computer and burn it to new media. The burnt disc will usually work better. Don’t hesitate to buy that badly scratched movie or album if you can get it for super cheap.
The final technique works for electronics. Simply ask the seller if the item works. Most of the time they will tell you they are not sure, capitalize on this. ”I don’t want to buy something for this much if I’m not sure it’s going to work.” Get a lower price. If they tell you it works, ask for a demonstration. If it’s something like a video game, a movie, a CD, or any other electronic item, they either cannot or will not take the time to prove it works. Lowball them. Chances are the item works; if not, you invested next to nothing and you can forget about the money you spent.
An alternative to asking for a demonstration is to ask when they tested the item. Most people don’t test items to see if they work before their sales so they’ll respond that they used it some number of weeks, months, or years ago. When they give such a response, look at them for a second and say something like “So it’s been sitting around for that long?” Chances are the seller will feel like an idiot and offer you a better price.
This last technique and its alternative work especially well for battery-powered items. Try to turn the item on, if it doesn’t power on, ask the seller if it works because it’s not turning on. If they assure you it works, try one of the other techniques discussed today. Most of the time, in my experience, the only problem is that the batteries are dead. Take the item home, put some new batteries in, and test it out.
Final protip: people buy broken electronics, for parts or whatever. I have sold a broken printer (never buy a printer from a garage sale, they’re just too unreliable), broken Nerf Guns, and a broken Roomba. Sure, you don’t make a lot, but you may make enough to cover your purchases and gas for that day.
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