Potential buyer has asked if I would consider a buy it now offer

[balancingfigure]

Should I? Can I?

I've just listed my first things to sell on ebay today (have bought a bit before) so fairly new to this and so any advice appreciated.

Have listed today for 5 day auction an old but unused phone and have had this request. Can anyone tell me how this would work and whether its a good idea? I have put a fairly low start price in the hope that will get people interested so wonder if buyer thinks I will sell for that price?

I never do buy it now unless I have specifically listed it as an option on the advert. If bidding has already began you cannot do buy it now anyway.

I guess its upto you if bidding has not started. You could agree a price and end the listing early but if you have just listed it the potential buyer may see it as an opportunity to grab a bargain before everyone else sees it.

Sorry - not much help really!

I agree with sparkle, I recently bought something via buy it now on the same day it was listed by contacting the seller and agreeing a price, it was something i really wanted. I think if you give them the opportunity to buy at a price you want for it then you will see if they really want it or just trying to get a bargain from you. If they don't agree then your auction will still run and potentially they may buy it anyway albeit at a lower price.

generally people will request buy it now from you if they think the item will achieve a higher price in the auction.

That is why I don't usually accept them.

Of course , there is always a risk that it won't achieve that price, but that's never happened to me.

Hi this has just happened to me this evening.

I don't know what to do.
Item started at £500
They have placed the one and only bid. It still has 6 days.
They have messaged to ask a buy it now price.
I need £1500. I'm desperate.

Im really confused too OP.
Will eBay find out, I suppose they will through PayPal.

you would do a buy it now via ebay - an off ebay sale isn't permitted

Tell the buyer you want £1500 for the item I guess? Are there many watchers, is the item likely to achieve that price. Depends what it is I guess.

I thought it was against ebay rules/agreements to accept a buy it now offer unless the item is listed with the option to buy it now. So just say no. As it's against the rules.

no it isn't against the rules to change an auction to a buy it now. It is against the rules to do an off ebay sale.

It's a car. I've looked at his history, he buys & sells them.
I'm just trying to see how to change it to buy it now.

Sorry OP!

if there are any bids cancel them and then add a buy it now price

And only accept cash for it too