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eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

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Original poster

New to eBay, been sent a question...

14 replies

KatoPotato · 26/09/2013 08:34

This is my first attempt at selling in eBay. I stuck an unworn dress on there with a stating price if 99p.

It's had one bid so far and today I've been sent a question asking what my 'buy it now' price is.

What is the etiquette here? Surely I can't change the listing, and I've no idea what I'd want for it?

OP posts:

LilyBossom · 26/09/2013 08:37

there is no etiquette - it is up to you, you can refuse if you want to. If you did agree a buy it now price you could cancel the bid and add the buy it now price option to your listing.

Original poster

KatoPotato · 26/09/2013 08:40

So would I pitch the bin price to this chap and see if they agree?

OP posts:

LilyBossom · 26/09/2013 08:46

yep - or ask them what they would offer?

It may be better to let it run - depends what make it is, condition, time of auction ending, etc. You can look at completed items to get an idea of its worth.

Twiddlebum · 26/09/2013 08:54

How many 'watchers' do you have on this item? If you have quite a few then you could just leave it to run at auction. If you only have one or two then it might be better to offer a buy it now price. When does the auction end? Because I'm pretty sure that you are unable to end or change it if there is less that 24 hours left to run

Original poster

KatoPotato · 26/09/2013 09:04

Thanks for your help!

OP posts:

Original poster

KatoPotato · 26/09/2013 09:07

I've got 5 watchers and 'til Sunday to go... It's still at 99p

OP posts:

headsspinningforachange · 26/09/2013 09:10

Id let it run then , In my experience when people ask for a 'bin' then they expect to get it a bit cheaper than say if they bid & win

LilyBossom · 26/09/2013 10:01

but watchers don't always mean bidders.

ElizabethBathory · 26/09/2013 10:03

People are always asking me what my Buy It Now price is. It's irritating. If I had a BIN price I would have put the item on as BIN! I never know quite what to say to them.

Twiddlebum · 26/09/2013 11:03

But sometimes you can offer a high buy it now price and its up to them whether they accept it or not! 5 watchers isn't many so you may end up selling it for 99p. Would you be ok with that? Don't worry about having no bids yet..... Most people bid in the last 30 seconds!! If you don't want to sell for 99p then as long as no one has placed a bid you can increase the starting price.

Twiddlebum · 26/09/2013 11:04

General rule of thumb.... Only offer a buy it now price of MORE than you expect to get if it goes to auction

ElizabethBathory · 26/09/2013 11:10

I've offered high BIN prices before Twiddle, but they have never been accepted. IME buyers ask for a BIN price when they think it will go for a lot at auction. Depends what you sell though. I've been shocked at how much some things have gone for when left for auction - I sold an £11 nail polish for £30 once (didn't realise it was limited edition) and some £38 Topshop trousers for £80. That's rare - but still I find it hard to guess what BIN price to put, so don't bother. I put a reserve on things if I don't want to sell them for too little.

Twiddlebum · 26/09/2013 12:38

I just look at completed items prices for the same thing and pick a BIN price at the high end of that. I buy and sell loads so know quite a few of the tricks

nickstmoritz · 27/09/2013 11:41

If an item already has a bid it is a bit unfair to just let someone else have it BIN. Someone has bid and obviously wants your dress too. I would let it run. If there are no bids then fair enough if you want to change to BIN but I agree it is sometimes a buyer who knows it might achieve a good price and hoping to get it a bit cheaper. Some auctions of mine have ended up much more than I would have had the nerve to ask for BIN! Only happens occasionally but it's a great surprise if it does happen. I don't change auctions to BIN but it's just a rule I give myself that helps me not to dither. I either list BIN or auction and stick to that.

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