Multiple BIN e-mails, isn't it an auction?

Mr_Mag0o

Hi,

I've got a computer game up for sale on e-bay, and to be honest I didn't think I was going to get much for it at all (started it at 50p, as it's old and shipping is about £2).

Since I put the auction up last night, I've had 2 people e-mailing me asking if I'd end up the auction early, and offering a price. I've told them I've someone else interested and they have started counter bidding against each other in private mails, and so far we are up to £15 plus postage.

I don't like to end auctions early, and surely the idea of e-bay is that they can bid against each other properly, not using private mails. I've mailed them both, and told them to use the correct bidding process, and said I'd end the aution at 7pm and sell to whichever one of them is highest at this time.

What are your thoughts, do you end auctions early, even without BIN, or let them run for the whole 10 days?

sunnysea83

sounds like a good idea to me!

SpammyTheSpammer

what game is it?

Mr_Mag0o

Final Fantasy 8 on the PC.

Amazingly, since asking them to carry it out legit, only one has made an offer of 99p, hmmmm.

TurkishDelight

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eidos-Final-Fantasy-VIII/dp/B00004UC1H/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1269010843&sr=8-6

Let it run at auction I reckon

Or stick it on Amazon.

soolin

TurkishDelight wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eidos-Final-Fantasy-VIII/dp/B00004UC1H/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1269010843&sr=8-6

Let it run at auction I reckon

Or stick it on Amazon.

I'd certainly let that one run its course on ebay rather than take an offer.
However, it looks like the OP had already told them that he was going to end the auction tonight anyway, so someone might be getting a bargain:

I've mailed them both, and told them to use the correct bidding process, and said I'd end the aution at 7pm and sell to whichever one of them is highest at this time.

Mr_Mag0o

Well, not sure now, as I say, only one has made a bid, and I'm certainly not selling it for 99p.

I don't care if I have said I'll finish the auction tonight, I said that when I'd got 2 people bidding £15, not 99p. I may just end it tonight and then re-auction it again in a few weeks.

I'd flog it for £15, as it's been sat in the loft for a couple of years and I just want the cash, so I guess I'll see what he says when it comes to7pm.

Back to the real question though, why do people try and do underhand tactics like bidding in e-mails, when it's an auction site??

soolin

Mr_Mag0o wrote: »

Back to the real question though, why do people try and do underhand tactics like bidding in e-mails, when it's an auction site??

Because new sellers like you might not realise the value of what they are selling, and let them grab a bargain.

Just let it run its course now.

DaveAshton

I would offer advice, but after reading this:

Mr_Mag0o wrote: »

I'm certainly not selling it for 99p

I'm not going to bother.

You start auctions at the price you'd be willing to accept. If it sells for 99p, you can't then say "I'm not sending it".

TurkishDelight

Mr_Mag0o wrote: »

Well, not sure now, as I say, only one has made a bid, and I'm certainly not selling it for 99p.

I don't care if I have said I'll finish the auction tonight, I said that when I'd got 2 people bidding £15, not 99p. I may just end it tonight and then re-auction it again in a few weeks.

I'd flog it for £15, as it's been sat in the loft for a couple of years and I just want the cash, so I guess I'll see what he says when it comes to7pm.

Back to the real question though, why do people try and do underhand tactics like bidding in e-mails, when it's an auction site??

Their bidding won't go up until someone comes in against them, so it's not really their fault, but the other bidders.
If you do finish it because it's too low then make sure you cancel any bids first as otherwise when you end it you'll get a winner who can leave you feedback etc.
You probably know all this but I thought I'd say in case you don't.

I guess the reason that people try and get a buy it now price out of you is because they know it is worth a lot more- they are probably going to get it and put it straight back on, or are just unwilling to pay the prices they know it normally goes for.

It's better to be up against one person with the same idea than against everyone on the open market.

It's not a great business practice but I can see why it's done.

Mr_Mag0o

If it sold after the 10 days for 99p, then I'd send it, I have no problems selling things at the price they reach at auction, even if on the odd occasion it's cost me money due to me making an error in postage costs.

What I am saying, is that I am not going to end the aution early (the auction still has 9+ days to run) and let it go for 99p, there is a BIG difference here as I have agreed with e-bay to sell at the price it reaches after 10 days, not to sell to people that send me e-mails.