Lowball

Why it matters

A lowball is an offer well below asking price or market value. Some lowballing is normal negotiation, but an offer far under market price with no justification usually gets ignored or ends the conversation. Knowing real comps is what separates a strong offer from a lowball.

If you are selling, expect lowballs on public listings and do not take them personally. If you are buying, anchor your offer to recent comparable sales, not wishful thinking; a well-supported offer below asking is reasonable, a number pulled from nowhere is a lowball.

Common questions

What is a lowball offer?

A lowball is an offer well below the asking price or market value of a watch. It is common on public listings but usually unwelcome when the number is far below recent comparable sales.

Is lowballing rude in watch trading?

Normal negotiation is expected, but an extreme offer with no basis in market comps is considered a lowball and often gets ignored. Offers grounded in recent comparable sales are taken seriously even when they are below asking.

Related terms

• Market Price / Market Value

  What a watch is actually selling for on the secondary market, regardless of retail price or asking price.

• Comps

  Comparable recent sales used to determine a fair price for a watch. The watch world's version of real estate comps.

• OBO (Or Best Offer)(OBO, Or Best Offer)

  The seller is open to negotiating below their asking price.

• Asking Price vs. Selling Price

  What a dealer lists a watch at versus what it actually closes at. There's almost always a gap between the two.

• Spread

  The dollar difference between what a dealer pays for a watch (wholesale / buy price) and what they sell it for.