1957 N.Y. Times 16 June ii. ii. 25 What the trade calls ‘low balling’. In effect this is quoting a low price initially and then reneging or saddling a purchaser with extras when the time comes to consummate the deal.

1978 S. Brill Teamsters v. 198 ‘Lowballing’ is a procedure whereby one trucking company takes away business from another company..by underbidding that company for the work.

1995 G. W. Eldred Yes! You can own Home you Want viii. 161 Others falsely believe that a ‘skillful’ negotiator dips into a bag of tricks and pulls out deceptive techniques like lowballing, weasel clauses, running a bluff, [etc.].

2002 Guardian 9 Feb. i. 23/6 There have been accusations of so-called ‘lowballing’, where accountants put in low bids for the audit in order to keep the more lucrative consultancy work.