Tired of Lowball Offers on Marketplace? Here’s What to Say

You put the car on Marketplace and the first message offers half your asking price. The next one just says, “Lowest?” It gets old quickly. When you’re getting lowball offers on your car, a clear price and a short reply go further than spending the evening defending every dollar.

Know the price you’d actually accept

Keep three numbers separate: your advertised price, the amount you would seriously consider and what another buyer would pay you. Base them on comparable vehicles and actual offers, not just what you recently spent on repairs.

New brakes are worth mentioning. They don’t automatically add the entire invoice to its market value. Keep the receipts, but price the whole car. The buyer isn’t paying your repair bills back.

Keep your reply short

For a vague “lowest price?” message, try: “The asking price reflects the mileage and condition listed. If you have a specific offer after reviewing those details, send it over.”

For a low but polite offer: “Thanks. I’m not prepared to sell at that amount. I could consider $X, subject to agreeing on the payment and transfer arrangements.” Use a number you actually mean.

For an offer based on a claimed problem: “What condition issue are you allowing for? If you have an inspection finding, I’m happy to review it.” That separates useful information from a negotiating tactic.

One low offer doesn’t set the value

One unreasonable offer says little. Several informed buyers raising the same concern may tell you something about the car or your listing. Review the evidence before changing the price.

Don’t invent competing offers or hide known problems to gain leverage. Keep the conversation factual. You can stop responding to abusive messages and use the platform’s reporting tools where appropriate.

Get another offer to compare

It’s easier to decide whether to wait for another buyer when you already have an offer to compare. Request an offer from Car Buyers Montreal, then compare the amount and conditions with serious private offers.

You’ve got better things to do than argue with every person in your inbox. Decide which offers deserve a reply and leave the rest.