Selling an item on ebay

Mrs_L

Hi I'm selling an item on ebay and have put the reserve at the price that I don't want to sell less than.(Does that make sense?) Any way only listed last night, this morning have 4 questions from buyers 3 of which are asking me for a price at which I'm prepared to sell. I've replyd saying "thank you for your question but as I've had the same question from other people then I feel the best way for me is to keep it at auction." Was this right? The other question was to confirm condition and location, I replied to him and he has now asked me what my reserve is!! Should I tell him?

thanks for your advice

Mrs L

steviebabes

The next time you get asked for a buy it now price put your answer on the listing so other people wont ask the same question. As to revealing your reserve price, this is up to you, I usually do but only to people who ask.

soolin

Mrs L your reply was spot on , that much interest early on is a good sign!

JCD_Capulet

Mrs_L wrote: »

Hi I'm selling an item on ebay and have put the reserve at the price that I don't want to sell less than.(Does that make sense?) Any way only listed last night, this morning have 4 questions from buyers 3 of which are asking me for a price at which I'm prepared to sell. I've replyd saying "thank you for your question but as I've had the same question from other people then I feel the best way for me is to keep it at auction." Was this right? The other question was to confirm condition and location, I replied to him and he has now asked me what my reserve is!! Should I tell him?

thanks for your advice

Mrs L

It's more than fine to tell someone you'd rather keep your auction the way you set it out. You'll find that when folk spot a high value item/highly sought after item they will try to get the seller to sell to them by whatever means. Luckily for you, this kind-of shows that there is a demand for your item! I preferr not to tell folk my reserve prices, Well, David Dickenson and thoose folk from the auction TV shows don't announce the reserves on items at the start of an auction, do they? No. your reserve is there to makes sure you get what you want and no less for your item without loosing it. Personally, I'd politely tell the person that you're not willing to disclose the reserve price, this will also help set the bidders off against eachother and it could turn out very well for you in the end.

Hope that's helped a little
Joanne,

Mrs_L

Thanks whilst posting this the fourth buyer offered me a buy it now price (which is just below my reserve) Thanked him but declined repeating that I would much prefer to leave it at auction as it has another 6 days to go.
Thanks for all your advice

Mrs L

Hintza

Personally I think reserves (except perhaps for cars) is a waste of money. A reserve can put some bidders off. I much prefer starting the bidding at my minimum. It is a cheaper option especially if item doesn't sell.

But overall you are doing the right thing, hope your interst turns in to a good price.

Good luck.

GregtheHammer

I have only listed a few items over the years with a reserve & was amazed how many e-mails I received asking what the price was.

I used to just reply bid as much as you want to pay. As the previous op said, it could work out very well for you.

Good Luck!

Hintza

The trouble with reserves is buyer could accidentally (hmm) bid £500; retract and then bid say £50. So they can be opened up very easily, so you might as well tell any potential bidders.

Mrs_L

I've told one person my reserve price and he's offered me £50 over it to buy it now, I did as gregthehammer suggested and thanked him and told him to bid for as much as he is willing to pay. Still 6 days to run on this item, I'm getting really excited, there are some bids on already but not reached my reserve yet but other items like mine have sold for over £1000 more than my reserve so am hopeful.:D