OBO. What does it mean to you

[blucille]

I'm being serious here. Maybe it's a regional thing or a difference of opinion between buyers and sellers. Or the times we are in currently where there is excessive demand for some cars.

But, whether buying or selling I've always considered OBO to mean 'my asking price might be high, so bring me your best (lower than asking price) offer and I'll consider it'

This ad, and others I've seen lately seem to imply OBO to mean 'or better (higher) offer'

1970 911T for sale

What's the consensus???? Just curious.

[matt930s]

I'm with you; but he's handling it like an auction right now. Initially stated $19k and then later states he has BO of $22K... That's BS.

MattR

[timchar]

In this particular case, it's seems to be mimicking an auction. Certainly not the usual OBO. Maybe the OP never fathomed the OBO would go the higher route? Tim

[SalParadise]

Yes I read that, and my mind did a double-take and it made me think - have I been thinking OBO means something completely different for ALL these years? Made me second guess myself for a moment.

OBO means to me that 'I have set a price' but I am 'open to offers or open to negotiation on that price.'

But I have set a price and if you meet that price, then it's yours.

In this crazy market nothing surprises me. Not even re-defining age-old terms to mean something completely opposite such as auction.

[trader220]

I don't always take things in the car market as face value. The "current best offer" is often a fictional best offer as the seller tries to fish up more offers.

[billh1963]

I always took OBO to mean "or best offer"...in this case the offers are better than the starting price

The British use ONO (or nearest offer). I've always thought this was more accurate since that implies they are willing to negotiate and they'll take the offer closest to their original asking price.

[Rick Brooklyn]

OBO means or best offer. If the seller wants to pull shenanigans and say his "best offer" is over ask, he should have the integrity to sell the car for a pittance if that's the "best offer" he gets. Which he won't, so **** him, I'd run away from any seller that tries to pull that **** and tell him to go have sex with himself.

[BK911]

Regardless what you want it to mean, or think it should mean, best offer simply means best offer.

[matt930s]

Originally Posted by Rick Brooklyn

OBO means or best offer. If the seller wants to pull shenanigans and say his "best offer" is over ask, he should have the integrity to sell the car for a pittance if that's the "best offer" he gets. Which he won't, so **** him, I'd run away from any seller that tries to pull that **** and tell him to go have sex with himself.

Bad morning Rick?lol...

MattR

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by matt930s

Bad morning Rick?lol...

MattR

Indeed

[matt930s]

It's GONE...

MatTR

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by BK911

Regardless what you want it to mean, or think it should mean, best offer simply means best offer.

There you go. Agree.

[ficke]

Originally Posted by BK911

Regardless what you want it to mean, or think it should mean, best offer simply means best offer.

Correct, It is that simple.

[Matt Monson]

Yep. I recall a few whiny threads when the market was exploding. A car got underpriced and when the seller figured out started accepting offers over asking. All kinds of accusations thrown about here by deal seekers. Best offer is best offer regardless of ask. Assume nothing. Ask questions.

[nathanbs]

You are right to be annoyed/pissed. OBO means your best offer less than my asking price. If someone is looking to start a bidding war the wording should be something like. Make an offer, offers welcomed, entertaining offers, highest offer above $20k takes it, etc.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by BK911

Regardless what you want it to mean, or think it should mean, best offer simply means best offer.

+14

I put OBO in every add I post. never needed it in hindsight, but maybe, just maybe I'm not wise to the treasure I hold... if dick chen will pay X for it, and jose will pay more than hose B, or dick chen? sell it to jose.

dick & hose B be dammed.

[Alan A]

I thought the B was best? Did I miss something?
If ask is low and B > ask then B is still the best.
If I'm a tool and way overpriced my ask, and B < ask it's still best.
Not sure what the issue is.

[nathanbs]

The issue is most people have never seen OBO to mean "or higher best offer". It's most commonly if not almost always used as a mechanism to imply I'm willing to accept less than my asking price so feel free to make an offer

[Alan A]

Then it should be OLO - or lower offer.
If some dumb **** is willing to outbid you it's tough to blame the seller.
Would you turn down more $ before you had a contract in place?

[nathanbs]

I think "best" refers to your best attempt to get close to my asking price. Don't get me wrong if I'm gone and i come back to 10 offers I'm going to pick the highest one