A couch negotiation script

Negotiation on a couch is a short script plus a number you picked before you left the house. If a fair price is around $250, a first offer near $213 leaves room. $175 is the walk-away point unless the item is missing something you already priced in.

Opening lines

Buyer: “I can pick up today. Would you take $213 if I come with cash?” Seller: “I'm at $250. I can do $232 if you can come this afternoon.” Name a time and a public place in the same message. Do not send a code, a deposit, or a photo of your ID.

“Is the price firm, or is $213 possible for a pickup today?”
“Can you send a photo of it powered on with today's date?”
“I'll be at the police-station exchange parking lot at 5. Cash when I've tested it.”

When they lowball or won't test it

If a buyer offers under $175 with no reason, answer once: “That is under what these sell for after fees. I can do $238 today, otherwise I'll keep the listing up.” If a seller will not turn a a couch on, or will not let you check the serial, account lock, or smell, the script ends. You leave.

Payment and leaving

Cash is the cleanest local payment. App payments are fine only after the item is in your hands and you have tested it, and only to a name that matches the person in front of you. Count cash before you hand the item over. Do not let someone 'run to an ATM' with the item already in their car.

Test the thing that fails on this category: power, account lock, smell, size, or a short run under load.
Keep the chat on the marketplace until you are face to face.
If the story changes at the meetup, the price changes or you leave.

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Questions

What is a reasonable offer on a couch?

If similar listings are around $250, offering $213 for a same-day pickup is a normal start. Going straight to $175 only makes sense when something is missing or broken.

How do I answer a lowball?

Restate your number once and why. “These net about $213 after fees. I can do $238 today.” Then stop talking.

Should I take a deposit?

For local pickup, a deposit usually creates a fight. First person who shows up with the money gets it, unless you know the buyer.

Where should we meet?

A busy public place or a police-station exchange zone. Daytime. Tell someone where you are going.

Near you

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