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Original poster

Sending offers on Ebay

26 replies

tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 09:52

I sell everything on Buy It Now, no auctions. When you have watchers on Ebay items, it gives you the option to send offers to your watchers. Has anyone done this, and have you had any response? Or does it come across as a bit desperate? I did receive one once, but never took it up as it was just one of those items I was watching "just in case".

OP posts:
BuzzShitbagBobbly · 11/03/2020 09:58

Not as a seller, but I have made many offers on things I was interested in buying. I get about a 50% hit rate, another 30% where the seller counter-offers; and a final 20% with no reply at all (which is weird as most of the time the item doesn't sell at all!)

I don't think it is desperate at all. You have a seller who wants to sell and a buyer who wants to buy, but feels the price isn't quite right so opens a negotiation in aim of mutual satisfaction.

youareatwatadmitit · 11/03/2020 09:59

I have received offers, but like you it wasn't something I was actively coveting, just something I had on there out if interest.
One offer I received was for a 20p reduction though!! I mean how utterly pointless!

I did once send some offers myself (£5ish off £30 item, so not too bad) but no one took them up.

WhateverHappenedToBathPearls · 11/03/2020 10:03

Not done it as a seller, but I've received a couple on things I was watching. I did take one up as the reduction was pretty good.

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Original poster
tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 10:06

final 20% with no reply at all (which is weird as most of the time the item doesn't sell at all!)

It's not weird. The seller is more interested in achieving the right price, rather than making a quick sale. I've had a couple of items that have taken up to two years to sell, but they did sell eventually. Also I usually switch off the option to make offers, so the few people who send me messages with an offer anyway are usually quite rude and entitled.

OP posts:
Original poster
tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 10:07

@WhateverHappenedToBathPearls Out of interest what sort of reduction was it?

OP posts:
BuzzShitbagBobbly · 11/03/2020 10:24

It's not weird. The seller is more interested in achieving the right price, rather than making a quick sale. I've had a couple of items that have taken up to two years to sell, but they did sell eventually. Also I usually switch off the option to make offers, so the few people who send me messages with an offer anyway are usually quite rude and entitled.

The items are usually things I have on watchlists which don't come up often, so I see them listed, not sell, then relisted again. And surely the right price is the one it will sell at? Bird in the hand and all that.

I don't personally consider taking two years to sell something on ebay as a win, unless it is a very rare, very high value item. I am more of a 7 day listing kinda seller Grin

I don't make stupid offers and I am always polite, thank them for considering the offer and point out my excellent ebay feedback as a long time buyer.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 11/03/2020 10:26

The items are usually things I have on watchlists which don't come up often

To clarify, its because I want things in a certain size/style/colour. There are plenty of options available which meet some of the criteria, but not all at the same time.

e.g. I wear a very specific trainer which is occasionally put on sale. I have a few pairs rotating already so I can buy new pairs to add in when they become available, I don't need them urgently or desperately.

idontwanttogoooooooooooo · 11/03/2020 10:29

I've made a few offers to people watching my things. Only one has been taken up for a dog costume !!! I took about £4 off I think ?! Should I name change in case this is identifying Wink I think sometimes people watch to see if you will reduce the price.

My DH thinks people making sellers offers should be more than the selling price. So it can go either way.

Happygirl79 · 11/03/2020 10:29

Yes I have sent offers to watching buyers
Accepted at a 50/50 rate

Original poster
tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 10:33

I don't make stupid offers and I am always polite, thank them for considering the offer and point out my excellent ebay feedback as a long time buyer.

It isn't possible for sellers to leave bad feedback for buyers, therefore all buyers have 100% positive feedback. Amazing how often I find myself pointing this out.

OP posts:
youareatwatadmitit · 11/03/2020 10:35

It isn't possible for sellers to leave bad feedback for buyers

God how I wish this wasn't the case! Had some terrible scamming buggers in my time but it's so weighted in their favour that the seller can't win and there's no way to warn other sellers.
This is ebays big problem, I think. Yeah they tell you to report them but in my experience, it does precisely zero!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 11/03/2020 10:43

I think offers on auctions are supposed to be above the start price, as effectively you're saying 'I'll give you £5 for it to end the auction now', not reductions?

I don't do buy it now listings so I don't know, but I have ended auctions if someone's offered me a reasonable amount above the start price to end an auction early.

Original poster
tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 10:46

Right but we're going off topic here. I'm not talking about buyers sending offers to sellers. I'm taking about sellers sending offers to buyers. There is an option for sellers to send an offer to anyone who's watching the item.

OP posts:
thenewaveragebear1983 · 11/03/2020 10:55

@tectonicplates oh I see...yes that's come up for me but no, I've never done it. It does seem a bit needy as pointed out upthread!

TheDIsiilusionedAnarchist · 11/03/2020 10:56

I don’t sell but I’ve accepted many offers from sellers. Even a pound or two off can make me consider a cheaper item

Original poster
tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 11:00

If an item cost £9 in the first place, is an offer of £8 enough of a discount to make someone consider it?

OP posts:
youareatwatadmitit · 11/03/2020 11:07

Really depends what it is, condition and how much you want it.
If you need to buy item X today and someone will knock a quid off, all fine.

If it's a luxury item and you fancy it but aren't in any rush, it'd have to be more than a pound to make me want to take the plunge.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 11/03/2020 11:12

It isn't possible for sellers to leave bad feedback for buyers, therefore all buyers have 100% positive feedback. Amazing how often I find myself pointing this out.

You seem excessively annoyed about people like me making offers in a perfectly reasonable and civilised way.

I use manners because I think it is the right thing to do. The fact that you have said I can't get bad feedback doesn't change that.

Original poster
tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 11:17

My point is that you said that when you send offers, you "point out my excellent ebay feedback as a long time buyer." This is absolutely pointless as all buyers have excellent feedback, so it isn't a USP and doesn't make you better than any other buyer, therefore it won't make me any more likely to accept an offer from you.

OP posts:
BuzzShitbagBobbly · 11/03/2020 11:30

I also say please and thank you and use a friendly tone? Like I said, I won't stop using pleasant manners just because you're pissed off I have the nerve to make an offer below what the seller thinks its worth; and which they are not obliged to accept.

Jeez, I only replied to offer a second perspective on your OP, I'm not here to be bitched at all day long.

Isthistrueor · 11/03/2020 11:31

Yup, I have done this and I think the item has always ended up selling as a result.

Duckchick · 11/03/2020 11:55

I've tried it a few times. When I've had loads of watchers (as in 5 plus ish), someone has so far always accepted the offer. When I've only had one person to send the offer to, there's been no interest.

keepingbees · 11/03/2020 12:01

As a buyer I've had these offers come through. I've taken them up several times, sometimes it's the nudge you need and the fact you know other watchers are also getting the offer makes you act if it's something you want.
I don't like the make an offer option. I never know what to offer and the few times I've made an offer I've been ignored by the seller, even if it's only been slightly below the BIN price. It's a waste of time. So I'm much more likely to buy if an offer is made to me.

Original poster
tectonicplates · 11/03/2020 12:09

I've tried it a few times. When I've had loads of watchers (as in 5 plus ish), someone has so far always accepted the offer. When I've only had one person to send the offer to, there's been no interest.

Ah, this seems to be an important thing then. I think I'll try this.

OP posts:
WhateverHappenedToBathPearls · 11/03/2020 15:07

Out of interest what sort of reduction was it?

About 15% I think.