I had a similar issue. With got women I was easily able to do the routines and get her attracted but with average looks (but intelligent honest) girls playful negs never worked. These girls got offended easily.
PUAs might frown upon going after average girls but I prefer average but intelligent gal to be more fun to with than hot dumb girl
If you don't neg then they go easy on you and lookout for other men.
At the same time I found some PUAs who were able to pull off such girls by negs.
Personally I had more success with hot gals than average ones.
I thought I found worked with average girls is that I go straight to DHVs by story telling and then getting deep rapport. All this without any negging at all.
Are there any field reports on such girls?