Pricing logic in the classifieds

[drkphibr]

Just an observation/comment on pricing logic.

Seller owns it, so seller sets the price. Don't like it, move on. No problem with that.

Interesting to see the pricing/buying frenzy in the AR space. $15 magazines/kits are $50+ each now (usually more) and stripped lowers are 3x-4x over the price they were a month ago. All about supply and demand.

But what's more interesting is "one day" pricing "discounts" showing up. That's were I scratch my head a bit.

Example:
So a complete .308 lower is listed at $950. Depending on the brand, that's easily 2x-3x the cost of what it was before the frenzy. No nibbles and a few bumps...so price is lowered to $850. Still no takers. Then the "one day only" pricing of $750 get listed. Still no takers. Next posting a day later (kept to their word) goes back up to $850. Hmmmm....so if no one was interested at $750, I guess it makes sense to raise it back to $850.

Maybe it's:

1. Punishment for not taking advantage of the one day "sale"
2. Keeping to their word - have to have some integrity after all
3. Letting us all know the new "bottom" price regardless of what's currently listed
4. Creative bumping

Again, I could care less on what something is priced at. That's between the seller and whomever is willing to pay the asking price or negotiate something different. I just find the pricing "movement" logic down and then back up interesting enough to comment on...

[Rob454]

I call it PRICE FISHING. If the item is posted at X price and sells at X price that's great. If the price is dropped to Y that still acceptable. I just won't take less than Y price so I'm hoping someone desperate enough will come and buy it for either X or Y price. No different than the old if it doesn't sell for my price I'll put it back in the safe tactic.
I think supply will catch up to demand and prices will drop. Lots of people will of overpaid for stuff. Not my problem if they are financial idiots. These knuckleheads are probably the same type of person who bought into the housing craze because some slick talking loan officer or realtor sold them into the house is worth it and they were so worried someone else will get it before them they went ape

[X231]

I've seen that practice many times in pp used car ads and some other odds and ends .. Never made sense to me either.

[NytWolf]

Regular trend: It's funny how some people try to sell a LNIB handgun with a couple hundred rounds through the pipe for more than a brand new exact same handgun.

Current trend: Reminds me of the recent housing market bubble, i.e. artificial inflation.

[The Gleam]

Then the "one day only" pricing of $750 get listed. Still no takers. Next posting a day later (kept to their word) goes back up to $850. Hmmmm....so if no one was interested at $750, I guess it makes sense to raise it back to $850.

Because on the day the guy dropped it to $750, he probably needed the money for something he wanted to buy; he might have even more than one at that price but is only advertising one. Or he might be selling IPhone covers or Teddy Bears on Ebay, or he gets his Christmas bonus.

He gets his money, buys the FN SCAR he wanted, then the next day he doesn't need the money so much. Price goes back up to "money not needed as much now" price.

Supply and demand may exist for the seller too.