We all live by some life motto, whether we openly admit it or not. I TRY to subscribe to a couple at least. The first one is something that my Grandma always said: "Everything happens for a reason." The other is: "Always treat people the way you would like to be treated." I, personally, would like to be treated with respect and kindness, so I TRY to do the same towards others. Of course, none among us are perfect, and sometimes the rules get skewed a little.
I am not immune.
One day, as I'm trudging along on Craigslist, I come across a collection of records. The majority of the 250 albums listed are artists I've never heard of, mainly Punk bands and the likes. I did see some meat on the listing's bones, so I decided to email the guy.
His listing was the 250 records, and he was asking $450. Approximately $1.80 per record. I usually don't like paying that much per record on a large lot, simply because the margin to make money is rather slim. Sure, you can get $10 or so for some artists, but others you get nothing out of...you aren't gonna sell EVERYTHING! As long as I can double the investment, I feel like it's worth my time.
I went into the email half-hearted, because I really didn't know what was there. I figured, "Maybe I can low-ball this fella, get the records way cheap, and make a little money." So, my email was something to the effect of:
Hello,
I saw your listing on eBay, and I might be interested if you would be willing to consider taking less. Just let me know.
Thanks,
Tony
Really short, really crappy of me!! Rule #1 of selling or buying: always be willing to negotiate (but don't email the guy and say you want to buy them for less!) Let's just say it was a jack-ass move!
As I waited, not caring really if he emailed me back. I started to do a little research on the records. I quickly got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The records that I knew nothing about were in high demand, some selling for $20, $30, even $50 a piece! One was apparently a rare jazz fusion record that was selling for $300 by itself!! I could sell a small handful of these and make my money back, and STILL have 200+ records from which to turn the sweetest of profits!
However, at this point, it had been over an hour, and no response had come. I just knew I had offended the guy beyond the point of return. I sent a second email.
Friend...
My apologies for the earlier email. I didn't mean to be so harsh and short, and I hope you weren't offended in my offering less without seeing the records first. I am very interested in the lot, and I hope we can get together and make a deal for your collection.
Tony
I hoped I would get a response, but another hour passed, then another. I felt defeated. I was sure he had either sold the lot to another, or had shunned me completely.
At the end of the day, after having checked my email about 50 times, there was still no response.
The End
Did you really think that was the end? Silly readers!!
The next day, the guy emailed me back and was more than gracious. He wasn't offended (seems not everyone just sits around and checks their email all day long like I do...who knew??) and we quickly made arrangements for me to see the records at his parents house in Franklin.
I always fear the worst when I go into someone's home, but on this occasion, the fear was unwarranted. The man was more than hospitable to Hendrix and me as I pushed the stroller into a front room and began to rip through the albums.
The records were in excellent condition, but all the records I knew anything about were re-issues, lessening the value. The punk albums were legit, however, and the Rare Jazz Fusion $300 LP was also the real deal. I wanted these records. A stack of 45 RPM records came out and I started to halfway look at those while I added up how much I could sell each of those LP's for in my head.
(As a side note, it is a little uncomfortable to look through Punk albums while a nearly 50 year old guy's MOM sits basically over my shoulder looking at them, too. What's that? You wouldn't feel uncomfortable? Yeah, here's some of the names: Guttermouth: BALLS, Butthole Surfers, Grimple: Up Your A*@, Gas Huffers...oh, did I mention one of the covers had a tasteful picture of a guy with his wang out taking a leak? Uncomfortable now??)
I think we both knew what came next. The negotiation. I tried $300, he said he wouldn't take less than $380. So, I told him I couldn't do it, and started to walk away...I threw a final blow in, $340.
He scratched his head, and finally agreed. Now, if I could unload the one record for $300, I was almost back to even. Of course, anyone who has ever sold anything knows you don't want to just break even...you want a profit. I always aspire to double my investment, and I really thought it was possible with this lot...
Until...
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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