The act of a prospective buyer requesting a price reduction from a seller on a flea market app. On Mercari, negotiations take place through the "offer feature" or comment section, and it has become an established part of CtoC transaction culture. Understanding negotiation etiquette and strategy is key to smooth transactions for both sellers and buyers.
The Reality of Price Negotiation and Platform Differences
On Mercari, price negotiations are said to occur on approximately 30-40% of listed items, making it a common practice in CtoC transactions. The typical format involves posting a comment such as "Would you be willing to lower the price to XX yen?" If the seller agrees, they change the price and the transaction is completed. Mercari's "offer feature" allows buyers to directly propose a desired price, and if the seller approves, the purchase is automatically completed at that price.
Rakuma and Yahoo! Flea Market have similar negotiation cultures, though the intensity varies by platform. Rakuma has a higher proportion of users spending Rakuten Points, and since many purchases are motivated by point consumption, negotiation frequency is somewhat lower. On the seller side, setting prices with negotiation in mind (5-10% above market value) ensures profitability even when accepting a discount. Clearly stating in the product description whether negotiation is accepted is also effective for avoiding the stress of "receiving negotiation requests despite stating 'no price reductions' in the profile."
Tips for Successful Negotiation and Polite Ways to Decline
To succeed in price negotiation as a buyer, there are several key points. First, research the market price and propose a realistic amount. Asking a seller who has listed a 10,000-yen retail item at 8,000 yen to "please lower it to 3,000 yen" is unreasonable, and the chance of acceptance is virtually zero. A realistic negotiation range is approximately 5-15% below market price.
When declining a negotiation as a seller, it is important to communicate your decision politely and clearly. Responses like "I'm sorry, but I'd like to keep this price" or "I could lower it to XX yen" that offer alternatives help move the negotiation forward constructively. Ignoring requests or responding curtly may negatively affect your ratings. Items with many "likes" are likely to sell without a discount, so there is less need to accept negotiations. Conversely, for items that have been listed for over a week with little response, accepting a negotiation to sell quickly is more rational from an inventory turnover perspective.
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