It can sometimes feel like a roll of the dice when negotiating for collectibles or a game of chance. You already know if you're used to online marketplaces with rigid policies. Many sites either fix prices without wiggle room or adopt inconvenient auction methods.

At Coolection, we decided to take a different approach. We developed a negotiation feature that captures the energy of buying and selling face-to-face at a convention but in an online setting. This article will explain why we created such a system and how it works. We will also share our reasoning for why it can be a much fairer experience for both sides.

Convention Experience Goes Online

A Personal Touch

 Coolection began as a convention vendor, where the best part of the job was interacting directly with shoppers. In that environment, you could examine an item up close, discuss tiny details in person, and mutually agree on a price. The camaraderie between seller and collector was part of the fun. We wanted to replicate this atmosphere without limiting ourselves to the weekend schedules of physical conventions.

 In online stores, we replaced in-person talks with chat boxes and email threads, and the traditional "shopping cart" system did not accommodate conventional bargaining.

 We realized many buyers missed the personal tradition of making deals on the showroom floor. So, we asked ourselves, "How can we bring that personal exchange to a digital storefront?" Our answer was the Submit an Offer feature.

Human Element

 Coolection is a place where the seller can hear the customer's reasoning in person on everything from product condition to current market trends. The buyer might point out box wear or recall that a particular title had recently sold for a different rate elsewhere.

 In a typical online store, such dialogue doesn't happen. You see a price and decide to buy it or go away. Coolection's negotiation tool reinserts the human conversation part in today's AI-driven methods.

How the Negotiation Feature Works

Step-by-Step on Coolection

Step 1. Click the “Submit an Offer” Button

On our store, each listing includes a clear “Submit an Offer” option under its price, right next to “Quantity” and “Request Additional Pictures.” If you like the button, it will open a prompt where you can provide a Proposed Offer Price, your email for communication, and an optional message.

Step 2. Make Your Offer

Suppose you are looking for a copy of an old game, and the price is near market value. You look at the pictures carefully and see that the tabs on the top of the box are torn. Maybe you think this diminishes the value of the collectible by some amount. Put in your revised number and say why you think it's reasonable. Link to or mention the sales data if you're referencing that. Condition problems? Mention them in your message so that we can understand your point.

Step 3. Wait for Our Response

Once you have submitted it, Coolection reviews your offer. We may accept it, in which case your checkout process will continue with that new total. We might make a counteroffer if a middle ground is more realistic. In some cases, we might decline if the price you suggest is far too low or doesn't fit market conditions. Generally, offers should be between 5% and 25% off, but your mileage may vary depending on a wide range of factors.

Rationale: A Successful Offer

 Sufficiently said, reasoned negotiation goes hand in hand with polite and realistic communication. There is little chance of success if you propose a $5 offer for a $100 item without a valid explanation. On the other hand, a collector who points out references to previous sales, highlights a visible flaw, or cites a recent market pricing drop opens the door for real discussion.

Remember, the more context you give, your offer will likely hit the sweet spot.

Respect, Reasoning, and Realistic Pricing

What to Avoid

 We invite honest interactions but ask that buyers not take advantage of the system. Sending multiple lowball offers with no explanation may get you suspended from the site. We want to keep the negotiation feature a friendly environment where people treat each other courteously.

 The submit an offer system offers flexibility, but it is not a free-for-all. Sellers still put effort and resources into acquiring, cleaning, and verifying each collectible, so respecting those factors will result in good terms for both sides.

When Prices Reflect Condition

 Retro games vary widely in price based on condition and rarity. A factory-sealed title might command a premium, while a loose cartridge with no manual sits at a different tier.

 Ninja Gaiden III, for example, can fetch a high price if the box is intact and the label is there. But if you can see (through Coolection detailed pictures) that it has a tear, you have every right to propose a figure that accounts for that damage. We eliminate the guesswork now so you can cite the visible defects and propose a fair amount.

Negotiate with Confidence

Building a Coolection

 Our site is run on the motto: "We're not Amazon." We welcome a little bit of haggling, we value direct communication, and we encourage a more personal connection between seller and buyer.

 Retro games are often tied to strong history, and each piece can hold special meaning to someone. We acknowledge that collectors are flexible with the price if this means getting the item in good shape or maybe more careful if the item shows heavy wear.

Condition as a Variable

 One of the most significant variables in retro game pricing is condition. Some small tears and loose labels can all matter significantly to serious collectors. Photos in our store (which are not stock photos) reveal all these aspects. If you’re comfortable with some box wear, perhaps you’re willing to pay a price that matches that reality.

 On the other hand, if you’re a perfectionist looking for a near-mint copy, you might point out any imperfection as a reason for a discount. We might be more open to your lower price if we have multiple copies. If it's a rare gem, we might counter with a figure in the middle.

Final Words

 The "Submit an Offer" feature from Coolection gives the collectors a real say in the purchasing process. We aim to recapture the magic of a convention booth negotiation where you can really talk about an item's value, condition, and history.

 At Coolection, we're focusing on logic, market data, and communication around flaws or expectations to turn what might otherwise be a one-way listing. If the condition or market of an item warrants a different price, let us know. We will consider it fairly, and you will always hear back so you can accept, counter, or decline.