Vent - eBay etiquette

the_insider

Having not used eBay for a year or more my OH and I have decided it's time to clear some of our junk out in readiness for our upcoming house move.
When did it become acceptable for people to message sellers with offers when items are up for auction? It's always far below the going rate so I'm not sure who would accept these offers but I guess some people must do otherwise the practice would have died out. The thing that annoys me the most is that they don't go on to put a bid in for that amount!!
Just bid what you want to pay and leave it at that.

Grr.

Twisted_Cherry

I get it all the time, people sending messages asking for a 'Buy It Now' price on an item that is on Auction. I have now added information in my listings - 'Please do not ask for a Buy It Now price for items on Auction' If they ask I don't reply...

Valli

I listed an item yesterday and got a request to pay starting price and collect today - for a 10 day listing. I politely declined - and posted the question to the listing so that others could see.

bod1467

Valli wrote: »

I politely declined - and posted the question to the listing so that others could see.

I think everyone should do that, so these persistent cheapskates are named and shamed.

the_insider

I always post the answer to the listing but it doesn't seem to deter them.
I wouldn't mind so much if they put in a bloody bid!

mattyprice4004

I don't see the problem - if you want shut of something and they're offering to collect the same day then fair enough. I'm happy fir people to do the same on my items.

Goldiegirl

I don't mind people making offers- if I haven't got much interest in the item, I sometimes accept.


What does wind me up is when they message

'£50????'

They might stand a better chance of success if they said

'Would you accept an offer of £50?'

Chrysalis

Valli wrote: »

I listed an item yesterday and got a request to pay starting price and collect today - for a 10 day listing. I politely declined - and posted the question to the listing so that others could see.

why 10 days?

I personally think ebay should set max limit to 3 days. 10 days just has people all queuing up to bid at the last minute anyway. Normally if I see a 10 day listing I skip over it.

Also to the OP, there is no 'going rate' for auctions, you sell on ebay with the acceptance you might sell something for a very low price, unless you set a high starting bid or reserve.

The last thing I sold on ebay I purchased for £20 as a gift for someone, was the wrong size for her, I sold it as new-damaged (was unused but box previously opened) and it sold for £1. I didnt bail out, honoured the sale. If I was offered a flat fee for instant sale I would have just said yeah and not been stubborn over it.

powerful_Rogue

Im too impatient waiting for auctions to end. If im looking for something on ebay, it means I want it pretty much asap. I dont want to have to wait 5,7, 10 days for the action to end and then run the risk of not even winning it!

If the item I want isnt available as a BIN, I always drop the seller a message (Unless they have said no BIN in their listing) and ask if they would consider BIN and how much they would be looking for.

Cant see the harm in it myself.

soolin

Actually, when MSE did its 'top tips for ebay' which can still be found this was one of the 'brilliant' suggestions. Ask sellers for a BIN price....

tallullahbelle

Maybe I am in the minority, but sometimes I just want to shift my stuff and I am happy for people to offer a BIN price. I have had so many time wasters who bid and don't pay that I would rather have a quick sale and know the item will go.