Do you feel bad after buying something that is cheaper than it is worth..?

I'm talking about specifically purchasing from individuals, like off CL or a garage sale. If you come across something that you know is more valuable than they want, do you feel bad buying it for so cheap? Or do you celebrate your awesome deal?

I say this because I just bought a bike from an old guy whose wife just died for $150 that I know is worth at least $500. I think that fact that 1) he was old 2) his wife just died 3) he fixed the bike up for his son but then his son moved away and 4) he lived with about 8 cats made it all the worse.

 

I have never felt bad I guess.

Bought a Glen Del target this fall for $100 cheaper than retail with a stand brand new. The people won it at an auction and had no reason to have it and just wanted it gone. Win for me.

In your example, yeah I would probably feel a little bad.

 

Maybe in your case I would, but any other time I wouldn't care. It's not my fault they didnt look up the price before posting.

 

That's a tough question hook. Did he know what it was worth and selling it for that anyways? If he did it know it, then I wouldn't feel so bad. If he didn't know it, I might have to say something before I bought it, just to make sure.
If he does know he's taking a loss, if you don't buy it, someone else will get the deal. I wouldn't feel as bad that way.

 

I would have offered him $75, I really like getting a bargain

 

Well I'm sure he looked up the brand before selling and saw new ones being listed as $300. But since the mid 80s, this brand has been made in Taiwan. But before the company sold, the bikes were still made in France. The original bikes are still somewhat valuable. This bike is a 1980 version and has in tiny script "Made in France" on the frame. When I saw that, I mentioned it and got excited. He said that he had no idea that it was made in France.

 

You mentioned it. As long as you gave him an out and he didn't take it. I don't think there's any reason to feel bad.

 

I would not feel bad and I would still try and jew them down farther to get a better deal.

 

If the seller puts a value on an item and is content..so be it. If the buyer is content...so be it. If the buyer will be flipping the item for profit and knowingly gouges the seller who really needs the help. Personally that would be where gifting comes into play.
Say you buy it for x
Seller is good releasing the item.
You sell it for xx
Give the seller a surprise of x back.

Obviously make it worth your time and effort but just stripping the unaware is wrong. Any good deal is one where both are satisfied. Period. No matter who knows or don't know what.

 

If someone is selling it, no guilt. If I randomly offered to buy it from them, guilt.

 

It depends for the most part no I don't feel bad. However there are times I have a moment of clarity and realize the money saved had less value to me then my damaged conscience.

 

Just tell yourself that he has millions and will be leaving it all to the cats. That should work.

I actually bought a farm from a guy that called me desperate to sell. I gave him $100/acre more than he wanted so I could sleep at night. It was still well below market.

 

If that is what he asked for it no problem what so ever. Happy money dance to come. If you sell it for $500.00 get him a gift card for $50.00 to clear your conscience.

 

Defintion of a good deal = when both the seller and the buyer are happy !!!!

 

Nope, no guilt. Your situation is a little different, but he probably honestly didn't care. I've sold stuff less than it's worth just to move the item, and a little extra money didn't matter to me.

I'm actually the opposite. If I see a solid deal, I push it even further:D

 

If that situation bothers you enough to post about it, my cheapness would keep you up all night. I'm the opposite when selling stuff though. Numerous times I've lowered the agreed upon price because of the other persons situation.

 

Not even a little bit

 

No guilt. Typically the price that someone puts on an item they sell themselves isn't even their bottom dollar. Most of the time freeing up room in the house or garage outweighs selling something for full value.

 

bingo

 

The original post Hooker is describing a situation where the seller for whatever reason is ignorant of the value. And the
buyer is aware of that fact.
Like it or not that changes your moral obligation in respect to completing that transaction.
In those cases while you may "make out right " don't fool yourself into thinking that you necessarily acted just.