What does “Lowball” mean?

A lowball is an offer far below the asking price or the realistic market value of a watch. Some lowballs are deliberate tactics to test how motivated a seller is; others come from buyers who simply don't know the market or are pricing off outdated comps.

In the trade, low offers are a normal part of negotiation, but they can damage relationships when they feel careless or disrespectful. A low offer is more likely to be taken seriously when it comes with a reason, for example recent comps, the cost of a needed service or missing parts. Sellers often add 'no lowballs' to a listing to signal that the price is already close to firm. If a watch is overpriced, though, what the seller calls a lowball may simply be the market price, which is why comps are the best answer on both sides.

Example: 'No lowballs please, priced at the last comp. Serious offers considered.'