How to reply to a lowball offer on Marketplace or Vinted

What is usually going on

A lowball is rarely an insult. Usually a buyer is testing whether you are in a hurry, sometimes with the same message sent to every listing. Your reply tells them how much room there is. A calm counter with one reason holds the price better than an angry no. Before you answer, decide your real floor and whether you want speed or money. Someone local who can collect today is worth something, so it is fair to give a little for that and nothing for a stranger who just wants to see how low you go.

Replies by what you want to happen

Counter and keep them talking

Thanks for the offer. I can't go that low but I could do £[counter] if you can collect this week.

£[offer] is a bit low for me. It's barely used and still has the box. Lowest I'd go is £[counter].

Meet in the middle at £[counter]?

Give one number and one reason. Two numbers tell them you will keep dropping.

Hold your price without losing them

Thanks but I'm firm on £[price]. Happy to send more photos if that helps.

Sorry, not that low. I think the price is fair for the condition but no worries if it's not for you.

I'm going to hold at £[price] for now. If it's still here in a couple of weeks I'll message you.

Hold firm and add something useful instead of a discount: photos, a measurement, a collection time.

Close the sale quickly

If you can collect today I'll do £[counter]. Cash or bank transfer on pickup.

£[counter] and it's yours. Can you do [day] after 6?

Deal at £[counter]. I'll keep it for you until [time] tomorrow.

Tie any discount to something you get back: speed, collection or no more messages.

What not to send

"Lol no" or "are you joking". Staying civil costs nothing and they might come back.
A long story about what you paid for it. Buyers do not price on your receipt.
Your lowest price in your first reply. They will still haggle, so it becomes your new ceiling.
Your home address before you have agreed a price and a time. Keep it until the deal is real.
Payment or postage outside Vinted's own checkout. You lose the buyer and seller protection.

More worked examples

InstagramLowball offer

They said: hey is the vintage levi jacket still up

They said: would u do 25 posted

Read the room

Listed at £60 on a small shop page and offered £25 including postage. That is a fishing message. A short, friendly counter shows you know what it is worth without losing a possible sale.

Counter once

Hey! Still here. 25 posted is a bit low for this one, I could do 50 plus postage

Hold and add info

It's still available! I'm keeping it at 60 as it's in really good nick. Happy to send measurements

Offer a bundle

Can't go that low on the jacket alone but if you want anything else from the page I'll do both for 75 posted

Questions

Should I respond to lowball offers at all?

Usually yes, with one line. Plenty of buyers open low out of habit and settle near your price once they see you are reasonable. Ignore only the ones that are obviously scripted, rude or asking you to pay or post outside the platform.

How do I counter a lowball offer?

Pick a counter above your real floor, give it with one reason and stop. "I could do £70 as it's only a year old" leaves room to settle at £65. Halving the gap every message trains the buyer to keep pushing.

How do I deal with timewasters on Marketplace?

Ask for a collection time before you agree a price. Do not reserve an item without a firm time. "Happy to do £40 if you can collect tomorrow evening, what time suits?" filters out anyone who was never going to turn up. If someone asks "is this still available" and then goes silent after your reply, let it go rather than chasing.

Is it ok to say no to an offer on Vinted?

Yes. Decline the offer or reply with a counter in the chat. Sellers are not obliged to accept anything. A polite counter keeps the conversation going if they are serious. If a buyer sends the same lowball twice after your counter, a simple "Sorry, that's too low for me" is enough. You do not owe them a third round.

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