Skip to main content
eBay

Home

 >

eBay Answer Center

 >

Answer Center

 >

Auction Listings

 >

Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Welcome Guest

Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?

Original Question
drdan01 (469 ) View Listings
drdan01
(1 of 6)
Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Jan 9, 2013 02:45 AM

A buyer is out of offers and sent me (through eBay) a message asking me to let him know what my "very best price" would be. I'm assuming that he's out of offers because he's sent out a bunch of (crazy) low offers that weren't accepted (I'm basing that on having received an offer of about 10% of my ask price, which was automatically rejected a week ago). His message also included his phone number. On my mind is that he's possibly hoping to offer an off eBay deal (which I would NOT do), but it could simply be that he wants to know if he can get to my minimum that I'd accept.

 

The question comes in though on any mechanics of this.  If he is out of offers (and I can't find any explanation as to under what situation buyers do get more -- is that time based or something else?) what is the RIGHT way to do this? Should I contact him to let him know what my "best price" would be, and if he agreed to it -- then update my listing to reflect that price as the new BIN? (

 

I **think** that's the right way to do this, but am hoping to hear from you about what not to do or what else to do. I do not want to get into a situation where it even appears like I am trying to complete this off of eBay.

 

Thanks for any advice or additional suggestions!
Get up to 2,500 FREE listings* every month with an eBay Stores subscription
Starting May 1—get up to 2,500 FREE listings* every month with an eBay Stores subscription

eBay has reduced the upfront cost to sell for Store sellers! With eBay’s new everyday rate plans, you get from up to 150 to 2,500 FREE listings* per month—no insertion fees, auction-style or fixed price—with an eBay Stores subscription. You pay a final value fee only when you sell! Plus, the final value fees for Stores have been streamlined to just 5 competitive category-based rates as low as 4%—and never more than 9%—regardless of how you sell.

Learn more about everything eBay Stores have to offer, then use the Fee Illustrator to find the best Store option for you! Watch this tutorial to learn how.

*Pay no insertion fees for your allotted free listings per calendar month. Optional fees, including advanced listing upgrades and supplemental service fees, still apply. Pay final value fees only when you sell. Motors Vehicles, Real Estate, Heavy Equipment, Concession Trailers & Carts, Imaging & Aesthetics Equipment and Commercial Printing Presses are excluded. 12 free pictures does not apply to Motors Vehicles listings. Terms are subject to change. Learn more.

The help content goes in here!
drdan01 (469 ) View Listings
drdan01
(1 of 6)
Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Jan 9, 2013 02:45 AM

A buyer is out of offers and sent me (through eBay) a message asking me to let him know what my "very best price" would be. I'm assuming that he's out of offers because he's sent out a bunch of (crazy) low offers that weren't accepted (I'm basing that on having received an offer of about 10% of my ask price, which was automatically rejected a week ago). His message also included his phone number. On my mind is that he's possibly hoping to offer an off eBay deal (which I would NOT do), but it could simply be that he wants to know if he can get to my minimum that I'd accept.

 

The question comes in though on any mechanics of this.  If he is out of offers (and I can't find any explanation as to under what situation buyers do get more -- is that time based or something else?) what is the RIGHT way to do this? Should I contact him to let him know what my "best price" would be, and if he agreed to it -- then update my listing to reflect that price as the new BIN? (

 

I **think** that's the right way to do this, but am hoping to hear from you about what not to do or what else to do. I do not want to get into a situation where it even appears like I am trying to complete this off of eBay.

 

Thanks for any advice or additional suggestions!

1 person has this question.
buybuy42 (1073 ) View Listings
buybuy42
 
(2 of 6)
Re: Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Jan 9, 2013 02:48 AM

This is not eBay Policy

and I would suggest that the seller re list the item and try again.

Or simply stop replying to the seller.


tweet

Is this answer useful?
drdan01 (469 ) View Listings
drdan01
(3 of 6)
Re: Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Jan 9, 2013 02:50 AM

I think that you've misunderstood.  I am the seller.  I haven't contacted him.  The buyer has contacted me to ask about a best price.

Is this answer useful?
leftofcenter1968 (1200 ) View Listings
leftofcenter1968
 
(4 of 6)
Re: Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Jan 9, 2013 03:00 AM

I don't know if I would even bother with this buyer.  When buyers get this pushy, I usually put them on my blocked list.  Just the fact they insulted you with such low offers is enough for me to block too.

 

Let them know what your very best price would be, and not a penny less.  And then you would have to re-list at that price and they would have to purchase it that way.  Any other way, and you are committing an "off ebay transaction" and you BOTH lose any ebay protection.........

 

Answer Resolves question
Is this answer useful?
(1 of 1 members found this answer useful)
drdan01 (469 ) View Listings
drdan01
(5 of 6)
Re: Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Jan 9, 2013 03:11 AM

Yeah, that confirms what I thought the only correct process could be.

 

Appreciate hearing about your take on the buyer.  I **am** trying to keep an open mind (I want to sell and I presume that this buyer wants to buy) but with his submitted best offer I didn't....think "kindly" of him! ;)

 

Frankly, IF I contact him and let him know what my best price could be he likely won't be thrilled.  I could of course be wrong, and perhaps he's rethought this after his offer and knows that it was crazy low (but worth a try).  

Is this answer useful?
auntella (90 ) View Listings
auntella
 
(6 of 6)
Re: Can a seller send a buyer an offer absent buyer having first made a best offer?
Jan 9, 2013 09:12 AM

You can do what you want to as long as it conforms to Ebay policy. If you want to take a chance on it, tell the buyer what the price is that you would take for the item. He can accept or reject it. He may want the item bad enough to come up to your price.

 

If you agree on a price, list the item with a BIN or a regular auction. If a regular auction, just end the auction when he bids and sell to him. Make sure he is on the computer so you can send the item number or URL for the item, so someone else doesn't beat him to it.

 

With all the garbage that goes on, I still think most people are basically good.  I like to believe that not everyone is out to get me.
To the top