How to respond to lowball offers (1 Viewer)

[Holy Schneikes]

Anyway, I'll just agree to disagree with you every single person in this thread at this point.

Fixed.Like previously said, e-mail or private messages do work for gauging interest in players or picks.

I'm not sure what thread you are reading, but it seemed to me on average that most people did not think the original offer was something to get pissed about. Doubt most folks would consider it a fair deal, but certainly most folks DID NOT have the same reaction to it that you had.That offer was clearly a lowball, I think most would agree. My opinion of lowball offers is somewhere in the middle. Your best bet as an owner, as many have said, is to just laugh it off, offer a counter, etc - don't burn the bridge or even be particularly rude. However, there have been times in my own leagues where I have to admit I have been pretty annoyed with some lame lowballs. It is kind of insulting if you think of it as an offer the other side really thinks you might accept. Kind of a "How dumb do you think I am?" kind of situation. But, many offerers really do just view it as an opening and never really expect that that will be an accepted offer.

Overall, I try NOT to send lowballs, because I agree with you there are better ways to initiate discussion. HOWEVER, the other side of the coin is this: sometimes you'll run into an owner who will absolutely NOT accept a deal without "dickering you down" on your offer, sometimes significantly. So if your initial offer is something close to what you expect might actually be doable, you don't have any room to negotiate, and the deal doesn't get done (even though the same deal MIGHT have gotten done if the initial offer was weaker). I don't think that is USUALLY the case, but I have run into owners like that and the classic lowball offer to start discussions really probably is the better option in that case.

 

[super sleeper]

Here's a suggestion: don't start with an offer if you are just trying to negotiate. Especially one that sounds as condescending as the one the OP got. An initial outreach, such as "Is Peterson available for the right offer?" or "What's your thinking about your team? Are you looking to get younger and build for the future, or are you looking to make a run this year?" will work much better as a negotiating tactic.

Having said that, though, I'm not sure what the OP was trying to accomplish by posting this, knowing the other owners would see it and respond. Seems thin-skinned and passive-aggressive.

 

[Dirty Hairy]

Love the topic.

I have no problem with lowball offers, but lowball to me means "substantially lower value in my opinion". I'll respond to those and see where it goes.

This is different than ridicules offers which means " not even remotely close in value in everyone's opinion". I don't even respond to these. I just let them sit out there.

The original offer is lowball, not ridicules, for the reason stated above about valuing draft picks in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Pictus Cat]

My intention was to get witty replies and thoughts on how to handle lowball offers,

as I am new to dynasty and wanted some experienced responses.

I left the example offer out there,

simply chosen because it is the last offer I've received,

not the worst.

I linked the original offer owners in,

but kept the offer non-specific to the owners.

At best I hope for a string of one liners and some fun for all.

Some good advice has been added to the discussion.

The only reason I can think of any hostility for lowball offers,

is when you lose a league because you see the same owners offer and accept lowball offers,

and you don't want to play that way.

I've seen it in redraft, and I'm sure it's a much worse experience in dynasty.

Problem is, I'm so new to it, I don't know if I'm the fish.

I just traded Titans D for Chicago before the last offer. Are the fins circling or do I just look like someone who deals?

 

[Riffraff]

Best witty reply I've gotten this year was " _______ is hurt, he's not dead." Thanks Unta!

 

[Pictus Cat]

I'll venture some replies,

Maybe a few highballs will even it out.

Will you be able to get a replacement for me after the trade?

Email: I'm passive aggressive (and leave the offer up)

I just want to be held.

 

[The Jerk]

I normally use two tactics for lowball offers, if I value the relationship:

(1) Would you please tell me again why you think this improves my team? Would YOU make this trade in my position?

(2) This offer looks very unbalanced to me - I am not even sure how to counter given we vary so much on valuations... if you were trying to begin the discussion with the offer, I respond much better to offers I consider balanced to help both of us.

If I dont value the relationship, all bets are off

Well stated. I've used "Do you really think this is a fair trade value or are you intentionally starting off with a low offer hoping to see if we can talk about something that actually improves both teams, not just yours."I'm trying to send a message and while there may be a little sarcasm in the reply, at least it is honest and gives the original trade proposer the chance to save face if in fact I called his/her bluff.

 

[Captain_Apocalypse]

My opinion on that first offer is that it is horrible. A bunch of LATE 1st/2nd rnd picks which will most likely never replace ADP, AND end up semi-screwing the team that gets the picks. This is a subtle thing so, maybe most people don't realize it, but in FF it is possible to have TOO MANY draft picks. Combined with your own draft picks you will end up having to drop half your team to keep all your picks. Most of them probably won't make a huge impact anyway, you'll be chasing talent that late in those rounds, and most likely you will drop some guys who would have helped your team. If you don't keep the picks they will be wasted. I have seen dynasty teams just fall apart using some sort of "rebuilding" strategy and gatering too many picks. They go from having mediocre talent that is producing to mediocre talent that they have to wait a few years to see if they are gonna pan out. You have to be really good at drafting in dynasty to make this work IMO. I've seen guys try to trade those pics too, I just laugh when they are like "there's nobody out there I want" and then try to trade the pick, but nobody else wants it. Waste. Loading up an opposing team with too many picks will really make their next draft difficult.

 

[Pictus Cat]

Although the offer is not the focus,

some good advice on lowballs and draft pick value in large groups.

On with the show,

"Ok, you'ld hate to be me"

"You don't have to try to punch me to show your interested"

"I'm already in last place" (Which I am currently)

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Counter-offer?

Why should he make a counter offer? Some owners offer lowball offers in order to get the other owner to be the first to make an offer. Some owners can't stand to make a decent first offer, because they are scared to death of being ripped off themselves, lol. It is my belief that I shouldn't offer up ADP in an initial offer if I wasn't the one interested in making a trade in the first place. Those wanting ADP should be trying to obtain him with serious offers, not lowball ones.

 

[DropKick]

There are lowball offers and then there are lowball offers laced with rational meant to persuade you into the deal that, in reallity, turn the offer into an insult of your intelligence and fantasy team. This qualifies as the latter.

Three possible responses depending on your personality

-- no response

-- tell him AD is not available

-- tell him that quantity is not greater than quality and you need much better draft picks to make that deal

My personal favorite is #3, which could result in a better offer or just make him sweat out the details of said offer. Either way there will be some entertainment value.

ETA: My one liner would have been "Your entire draft for ADP? Is that you, Ditka?"

 

[FUBAR]

Counter-offer?

Why should he make a counter offer? Some owners offer lowball offers in order to get the other owner to be the first to make an offer. Some owners can't stand to make a decent first offer, because they are scared to death of being ripped off themselves, lol. It is my belief that I shouldn't offer up ADP in an initial offer if I wasn't the one interested in making a trade in the first place. Those wanting ADP should be trying to obtain him with serious offers, not lowball ones.

I'll work with a team that sends a lowball offer for an older player like LT, TO, Favre, J-Lewis, etc. or unproven guys but when you're going to "show interest" in one of the most valuable players in FF, come with your "A game" or don't bother. I sure won't be the one working to deal the guy.

 

[ratbast]

Counter-offer?

Why should he make a counter offer? Some owners offer lowball offers in order to get the other owner to be the first to make an offer. Some owners can't stand to make a decent first offer, because they are scared to death of being ripped off themselves, lol. It is my belief that I shouldn't offer up ADP in an initial offer if I wasn't the one interested in making a trade in the first place. Those wanting ADP should be trying to obtain him with serious offers, not lowball ones.

I'll work with a team that sends a lowball offer for an older player like LT, TO, Favre, J-Lewis, etc. or unproven guys but when you're going to "show interest" in one of the most valuable players in FF, come with your "A game" or don't bother. I sure won't be the one working to deal the guy.

That pretty much sums it up.

 

[Max Power]

I don't think the first offer was nearly as insulting as the OP's counter-offer. Also considering the first offer was at least made in good-faith really makes the OP look childish in this situation.

Were you more upset about picks being offered or where the picks might fall? Obviously you charted out where the picks might be, meaning there was likely some intrest. If it was a slap in the face, why bother gauging each pick's value?

Had someone offered me a couple mid round 1st and a few seconds for Sjax last season, I probably would have turned it down. Looking back on the situation, there is a chance I might have walked away from the draft with 2 of either Chris Johnson, Felix, Forte, or Kevin Smith. Maybe Matt Ryan and one of DeJax, Avery, or Royal. Granted that is a lot of maybes, but you never know.

I'll never understand why people get so up in arms over low ball offers...

 

[Pictus Cat]

I don't think the first offer was nearly as insulting as the OP's counter-offer. Also considering the first offer was at least made in good-faith really makes the OP look childish in this situation.

Were you more upset about picks being offered or where the picks might fall? Obviously you charted out where the picks might be, meaning there was likely some intrest. If it was a slap in the face, why bother gauging each pick's value?

I regret list this trade as an example (which I said to "feel free to ignore in the original posting.")It's like a shiny object people can't take their eyes off.

The only thing an offer communicates is I would do this.

It does not tell you how you feel about their players or yours in or out of the trade,

and is easily misunderstood.

I was never upset, and have lost count on how often I've said it in this thread.

It was a lowball to lowball. I find it comical that people assumed I'm upset from that.

The advice is fine and helpful,

but a big part of conflict resolution,

is to make people know you've heard what they have said,

but refocus the subject,

which is

HOW HAVE OR WOULD YOU REPLY BACK TO A GENERAL LOWBALL OFFER TO BE FUNNY!!!

My original intention was to get some funny replies to lowball offers in general,

which the original offerers and well-respected FBG guys were linked into and could read and laugh about.

Like "That would make me feel too dirty"

or "I don't have Ricky Williams to offer Iron Mike"