Why do people 'watch' a BIN item?

[Everard]

Apart from the scenario where they have something similar to sell and want to see what the item goes for, I don't understand why people watch BIN items.

I have a few BIN items for sale, all with watchers. Can anyone enlighten me?

Waiting for pay day ?

Waiting to see if they win an auction on a similar item first.

I sometimes watch if I am watching a similar item and undecided about bin price
I watch too if I think its overpriced to see if anyone is Willing to pay the price

I watch BIN stuff if I can't afford it or it's similar to what I'm looking for but not perfect.

To have a little think about whether you want it or not?!

I used to watch several items around/below my price range but only bid as the time limit came up. As BIN is usually a higher price than an auction starts at, or sometimes when I preferred the item which was in an auction format, it was a way to remind myself "If X becomes too expensive, I have alternative Y"

Obviously the BIN item could still go before that time, but it was usually if it was a second choice (if I loved it and agreed with the price I'd have just bought it)

I do this sometimes so I can compare items and find it again quickly. There are probably other ways of doing that - wishlists or something - but it's there in the middle of the screen and is easy to click on.

I do it all the time if I haven't made up my mind if I want it. I have five BIN jackets in my watch list right now whilst I decide if I want one of them or one from somewhere else.

I very often compare items on Ebay and Amazon. If I find something on Ebay I'll watch it to 'bookmark' it so I can find it again. Sometimes I go back and buy it, sometimes not.

I'm watching a few BIN new items at the moment because there seems to be slight variations of the product so I've saved the best deal on each one in my watched items until I find out which is the best one to get.

It just saves me having to search for them again.

I watch bin items, usually its either something I want but can't afford just yet or to compare prices

The reasons I watch are;

Don't know if I want it yet....I might add a few items to my watch list, and decide which is the best option.

I am thinking about selling a similar item, and want to come back and see if yours sold, so I know if your price was realistic or not.

I want to show it to a friend who might be interested.

To show it to DH later, so we can point and laugh at your ridiculous item.

Interesting answers. LOL @ Lynette. Laugh away! My items are the sort of thing to raise a titter.

It is my first experience of selling via BIN. I usually auction things. I have to say, auctions are more fun!

I've never sold anything, I am strictly a buyer.

Don't know if I could handle the uncertainty of an auction though I imagine it is exciting.

I wonder if sellers get miffed because people may watch an item but not buy it ?

I have loads in my watch list, auctions and BINs.

MrsVamos, selling by auction can be very difficult - letting go of an item you know is worth far more than the buyer bid for it, for instance. Or then, as was the case today, having 54 watchers and only getting 3 bids. But the uncertainty does add to the excitement too, and when you let go of too many items for too little money, you just stop for a while (as I will now!)

I thought BIN would be simple. People would Buy. It. Now.

I can imagine, Everard.

I suppose the answer to that is to put a reserve ?

54 and 3 bids. Wow.

Funny to see it from the 'other side'.

I will admit your situations would wind me up. I would probably end up selling nothing !

To be able to find it again easily if I like it but continue browsing in case I find something Better or the same but cheaper

I never bother about watchers. All you need are two people who really want the item.

I actually worry when people overpay, classic example being a used white raincoat of mine which went for a crazy price. The winning bidder then complained about getting a used white coat and having overpaid. You can't win sometimes.

I have come to the conclusion that some people don't understand BIN items.

I have just sold a jumper that has been listed 2 or 3 times without a sale, although I had had a couple of ridiculous offers on it. I have reduced the BIN price slightly each time. It had 5 watchers a few hours ago Someone has now purchased it and I have just had an email from another buyer who wondered if I had sold it as she seemed to have missed the bidding! Doh!

I work in theatre and often have lots of BINs I'm watching as I've looked for different variations of a required prop and am waiting for designer/director to make a decision. It saves having to search all over again.

Sometimes its because I am adding items to compare and am undecided about buying. e.g I was looking at storage divan beds for the ds's and added several to my watch list that I was interested in so that I could find them again, went back after and read descriptions etc. and deleted a few. They are till there to show H when he's got a few minutes and show the ds's.

Also if I see something I really want but can't afford, add it o watch list or basket to check out on payday.

Or because I am a bit of a shopaholic, I add it to watch list/basket and leave it 24/48 hours to see if I still really want the item. I then sometimes delete it, but sometimes I forget its there and it just stays in my watched list until the listing ends.