People who buy second hand almost always try to knock a little off the price, and sellers know it. Knowing how to negotiate the price of second hand items is part of the deal, and when it goes well both sides walk away happy. When it goes badly, the chat dies after two messages and the item stays where it was, on a shelf in the basement or in somebody else's wish list.
Here is a typical case. You list a capsule coffee machine in good shape, original box included, for 60 €. Someone in Bari writes and offers 35 €, without even saying hello. A little later a second person, from Padua, asks whether the milk frother still works properly and whether you could do 50 € with shipping included. You are happy to answer the second one. The first one, you are tempted to ignore. On Lendmates these conversations happen in the app chat, and the way you handle them makes a real difference.
Start from a price that holds up
The negotiation starts before the first message, when you set the price on your listing. Set it high hoping someone bites, and interested buyers do the maths, find the same model for less and move on. Set it too low and you end up defending a number you never liked in the first place.
The easiest approach is to look at what similar items in similar condition actually sell for, then leave yourself a small margin. On a 60 € item, five or ten euros of room is plenty. The buyer gets the satisfaction of a small win and you still get the amount you had in mind.
Listing an item on Lendmates takes a few minutes. You take a few photos, the listing fills itself in almost on its own, and you check the details before publishing (the guide on how to sell used items online walks through every step). Use that moment to describe the condition and any flaws clearly. A clear listing cuts half the questions and makes it easier to hold your price.
How to make an offer when you buy second hand
If you are the buyer, the first thing to avoid is an offer that sounds like a joke. Offering half on an item that is already fairly priced ends the conversation before it starts. Ask one or two real questions first, like how long they have had it or whether there is any wear that the photos do not show. That tells the seller you are serious.
Then explain your offer. "I noticed the battery lasts less than half a day, would 140 work instead of 160?" lands far better than a flat "140, final offer". A visible scratch, a missing charger, a newer model that pushed down the value of the old one are all fair arguments. Wanting to save money, on its own, is not very persuasive.
An offer with a reason behind it gets accepted much more often than a number thrown out there. One extra sentence in your message is often worth a few euros off the price.
How to answer offers when you sell
On the other side, when a lowball offer comes in, there is no need to take it personally. Often the buyer is just testing the waters. Reply politely with a clear counter offer, something like "Thanks, I can't go down to 35, but I'd happily let it go for 52". You have kept the door open without giving the item away.
If the offer is reasonable but not quite there, you can add something instead of dropping the price again. The leftover capsules in the drawer, a spare cable, a case you no longer use. They cost you very little and can tip the balance for the buyer.
And if you really do not want to negotiate, say so in the listing. A fixed price stated up front avoids pointless back and forth, and anyone who writes to you knows where things stand.
Shipping is part of the price
On Lendmates you buy and sell across Italy, and shipping is part of the final cost. Buyers think about the total, so it helps to agree early on who pays for the courier. Sometimes that is exactly where the deal comes together. For the buyer in Padua, 50 € with shipping included sounds much better than 45 € plus shipping, even if for you the difference is just a few euros.
The same goes when you are the buyer. If you want something bulky, like an office chair or a stroller, ask how much it costs to ship first and then make your offer on the total. That way there are no surprises once you have agreed.
Why it pays to negotiate in the app chat
Keeping the whole negotiation in the Lendmates chat has a couple of very practical advantages. You do not have to give your phone number to a stranger, and everything you agreed stays in writing, from the price to the accessories included. If a question comes up a few days later, you just scroll back.
It also gives you peace of mind. On Lendmates every seller and every buyer is a verified person, so you know there is someone real on the other side of the chat. Once you have agreed, the buyer pays in the app with protected payment and the seller gets the money when the purchase goes through. No cash and no bank transfers to strangers. If someone keeps pushing to move the conversation elsewhere or pay another way, that is a good reason to stop and read the guide on how to avoid scams when selling used items.
Before turning down an offer, ask yourself what it costs you to keep that item at home for another month. Sometimes five euros less today is worth more than a listing that just sits there.
The mistakes that kill a negotiation
The first one is going silent. If you get an offer you do not like, say so, even in a few words. Buyers are usually looking at several listings at once, and if you do not reply they simply move on to the next one.
The second is moving the goalposts, agreeing on a price and then asking for a bit more when it is time to pay or ship. It happens more often than you would think and leaves a bad taste for everyone. The third is dragging it out. Ten messages over a two euro difference are not worth it for anyone, not even for whoever wins in the end.
After every exchange you leave each other a review, and people who negotiate fairly get noticed quickly. A profile with good reviews makes the next negotiations easier too, because whoever writes to you starts with a bit more trust.
You can negotiate on rentals too
When you rent something out, people may ask for a different price, say for a long weekend or a full week. The same approach applies, which means being polite and making a clear counter offer. The availability calendar helps you see whether you need those days or whether the item would just stay hanging in the garage anyway. With one account you sell, buy and rent, so it is always the same chat.
Frequently asked questions
How much discount can you ask for on second hand items?
There is no fixed rule. On an item that is already fairly priced, an offer a few euros lower with a good reason usually goes down well. Much lower offers tend to end the conversation.
Is it rude to haggle over second hand prices?
No, it is normal and sellers expect it. What matters is how you do it. A greeting, a question about the item and a reasonable offer almost always make a good impression.
Is it better to ask for free shipping instead of a discount?
Often, yes, especially for small items. For the seller the difference is small, while the buyer sees the full total straight away and decides faster.
Where should you agree on the price?
In the app chat. You do not have to share your phone number, the agreement stays in writing, and then the buyer pays in the app with protected payment.
Lendmates is coming soon
Soon you will be able to sell what you no longer use and buy second hand from verified people, negotiating in the chat and paying with protected payment. The same account also lets you rent.
Meet Lendmates