OT: The psychology behind buying and selling?

DrSweden
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Stockholm, SE
Edited Date/Time 6/8/2012 2:56pm
I have bough a lot of cars and motorcycles in my life, but still feel there are so factors that one cant control at all, as what's going on in my mind and in others during a buy and sell, especially when there's bidding going on. Ebay is really a strange place where many times the auctions ends with a higher price than the initial "buy it now".

Example, I had decided to buy a smoker some years ago, it was an SXS KTM 250 which I really felt I wanted, but at the time as a student, I really couldn't afford it. But this spec bike was on out on a very low price, because it needed work, but some other opportunist had noticed it as well, and we ended up in a bidding war, which he won. I'm not used to that at all when buying dirtbikes, usually you bargain. The seller was asking about $2000, I said sure, but only to find out that there's was another guy interested as well, so we started raising the price to a point I felt, screw this. I think it ended with $ 2600. Now I feel good that I didn't get, but I remember how tormented I felt at that point when I let it go for just $100 more than I felt it was worth. I had an imaginary roof, and it was $2500 and later I regretted that I didn't just say so to start with to scare the other guy away, like I mean business...

The OT thing is, that now I'm about to end up in the same shit, but this time with a HOUSE! And those $100 makes a damn difference. There's one bid at this point for the original value, the broker thinks it will land about 10% above this, depending on the bidding of course. Should I go all in with that 10% increase to start with, with the risk paying to much since there's a chance it will go for 5% above? Or should go for the 2% increase thing that usually happens?

Sorry for busting your balls about it, but your input is appreciated.
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6/7/2012 5:21pm
Depends on how bad you want it. Decide on a max price you're willing to spend and don't go above that. Like you said, it's all psychology. How bad do the other people want it (rhetorical question)? Personally, unless I knew I absolutely wanted the place, I would increase by smaller percentages, the risk being the seller could get sick of bargaining or the other buyer just jumps right to your max. Try mess with them and go 3%? It's all a guessing game of what the seller will accept, how much of a bidding war they want to hold out for, and what the other potential buyer is going to do. It's so much easier when there isn't a bidding war and you can bid below the asking price and bargain from there. Bottom line, consider your other options again, is this the place you really want both now and long term, how bad do you want the place and are you willing to risk losing it, and decide on your own personal max price. There are probably others with better input, but those are my thoughts. Good luck.
rpoint116
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Tempe, AZ, USA
6/7/2012 6:52pm
I have purchased many cars & bikes used, current market value dictates the price. You just have to ask yourself, what intangables does this have? Is it in better condition, better color, more usable options, one owner, etc...

I have purchased a few primary residences & rentals over the years as well. It IS a business decision. However, you also need to look at the intangables. How is the nieghborhood currently & how will it be 10 years down the road? How big is your family? Will you outgrow it in 8-10 years? How is the road access? I could literally go on for hours on this. I WILL pay more for a better investment. 10K on a 30 year 6% loan PMIT is aprox $70/mo. extra.

Good luck!
wildbill
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Christmas Valley, OR, USA
6/7/2012 8:35pm Edited Date/Time 6/7/2012 8:35pm
a bike's a bike. How well do you ride?

Put a bit of cash in lessons, and it will go a long way with whatever bike you're on.
tobz
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Adelaide, AU
6/7/2012 8:40pm
I too get carried away with ebay/internet sales sometimes. It's either RC parts on amainhobbies or moto parts on bto sports, it's so easy to click "add to cart" to make the postage worth it, a need for asimple part turns into a $100+ order everytime.

I then go through this stage promptly after:

The Shop

mx400bee
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Kannapolis, NC, USA
6/7/2012 8:43pm
Medic and point are obviously pretty sharp on the buying decisions, From a selling standpoint, that broker makes his living getting the most money possible. And some will even stretch the truth to raise the price. If a well versed broker can show a potential prospect that the features and benefits of the house exceed the value then the average prospect will usually buy it. I hate bidding on anything, much less a house. Figure out what`s the max. that you feel comfortable with on the purchase price above the current bid and offer half that. If the other prospect counters then offer the other half. If the house is perfect for your needs go for it. Hope you win.
Tracktor
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The RTF/Amboy, WA, USA
6/7/2012 9:10pm
In America, unless you are paying cash, what you agree to pay is only part of the equation. Your "partner", the bank, makes sure you didn't get them in over their head by requiring an appraisal. This will help make sure that you aren't unwittingly overpaying for a home. You can still do so if you choose to but at least you know before you buy.........................Yes, I know in the past there were issues with appraisals being accurate but believe me, these days they usually are more conservative than necessary....................
Huckster
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Woodstock, NY, USA
6/8/2012 3:33am
I am not sure if this is on topic but I just went through this situation. Saw a bike on craigslist. It was listed by a dealer. called the dealer up, made a deal and put a deposit on it. The dealer was waiting on a spoke and wheel bearing to replace so I couldnt go get it. He calls me Friday afternoon or memorial day weekend and tells me its ready. I am away and let him know I will pick it up Tuesday. He calls me Tuesday morning and tells me he "can't sell it to me, the engine is bad and they need to fix it.." Wow, but really cool if true. I tell him to fix it and call me. FInd out yesterday through a friend who was in the shop that they "sold" it. They did refund my deposit but I really wanted the bike.
tuz371
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Chalfont, PA, USA
6/8/2012 4:45am Edited Date/Time 6/8/2012 4:49am
Marc, you're a smart individual and buying a house isn't too different than buying a car or bike. In the end, you need to see it a place to raise your daughter and provide secure and safe shelter for your family. Not much else.

If the place has a solid core, you can always accessorize and upgrade when the money allows, much like buying a used bike. The base questions are:

1) Does it meet your needs for space now and for whatever time frame you are thinking you will live there (persons AND stuff)

2) Can you afford the payment, including taxes,utilities and projected maintenance such as grass mowing, cleaning services, yearly HVAC services, etc. Decide this based on your REALISTIC expected income. You or your wife staying home with your daughter and living on one salary vs. both parents working and paying for childcare can be very different $$ or very similar. DO NOT "dream" that you and your wife will both be making $100,000+ and that your daughter will receive free day care when reality is you will both be working for $50,000 and day care will be running you $10,000 per year (this of course is based on the US way of living and could be very different from the way of living in Sweden).

3) How long do you expect to be there and what will you do with the place in the future? If it's a short term deal, do you really need the latest and greatest? Are you planning to keep the place as a future rental or retreat?


I remember what you went through when moving to Cape Cod, all the questions and figuring out what to do about a vehicle and dirt bike. This is not too much different.

Good luck and remember, it's really only a shelter and humans are very adaptive creatures!!
DrSweden
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Stockholm, SE
6/8/2012 2:56pm Edited Date/Time 6/8/2012 2:56pm
Tnx guys and Ted in particular. Sorry for using the forum for this. I now have enough info!

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