what does obo mean when selling

When you see “OBO” in a price (like “$300 OBO”), it means “or best offer.”

Quick meaning

• The seller is saying: “This is my asking price, but I’m open to negotiating.”

• You’re allowed to offer less than the listed price, as long as it’s a reasonable offer.

• It’s common in car ads, online marketplaces, and classifieds (for things like furniture, electronics, etc.).

A simple example:

“Sofa for sale – $300 OBO”
You might offer $250, and the seller can accept, decline, or counter.

Why sellers use OBO

• They want to sell faster and attract more interest by showing price flexibility.

• They know the item’s value is a bit uncertain and are willing to see what buyers will pay.

What it does not mean

• It is not an auction where the item automatically goes to the highest bidder at a deadline.

• It doesn’t always mean “lowball me”; some sellers still expect offers close to asking, especially if they say the price is “firm” even with OBO.

TL;DR: “OBO” when selling means the price is negotiable: “or best offer,” so you can suggest a lower (but reasonable) price and see if the seller will take it.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.