Stink-eye, shmink-eye..... it's YOUR money. And, even if he IS insulted, if you go up, he ain't gonna turn you away!
My father-in-law is a master at this. He'll offer 50% of asking on whatEVER it is - car, motorhome, house, etc.
All they do is say no, but an astonishing number of times, he'll ultimately get the item for less than I would have even STARTED at...
That all being said, I'd start at $1000 and in my area, for the condition it looks to be in, I'd be willing to go right on up to the $1700.
DarkRider, what are you, the seller's brother-in-law or something?
$1500 is way too high a STARTing price. That's more like a good ending price.
Good luck with it!
Kirk