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eBay

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Original poster

Ebay selling 'manners' and rules?

27 replies

ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:12

I am selling a pushchair, my bugaboo , and listed it last night for 10 days. Immediate bid at starting price of £150.

Now i have 5, yes 5 people asking for BIN price, which i have said £400. But i can;t add buy it now price because of the bid, but its very bad to end the auction isn't it? Or is it?

There is also a man locally who wants to view it and possibly pay cash if he likes it, but DH said thats not right as Ebay has warning messages about dealing outside of Ebay iyswim.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:13

I have 9 watchers, one bidder and those 5 people asking (who may be watchers too)

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EachPeachPearMum · 15/05/2009 10:18

Just email back and politely say you'd rather let the auction run.
If you'd wanted a buy it now, you would have put it on your listing.

pop1973 · 15/05/2009 10:19

Why don't you just mention to the possible bidders that you can't cancel the auction and want to see it run. As you list it starting off at £150, you are obviously quite happy if you sell for £150. You could let the man come and view the pram and if interested he will bid on it. You could always reduce the auction time, that can be amended before bids go on.

As it is a auction, sometimes you have to take a risk at what it sells at !

horsemadgal · 15/05/2009 10:19

Well I'd go with the guy paying cash on collection, no comeback if he pays cash and saves all the ebay and paypal fees. Don't let him use paypal if collecting though.
Don't cancel auction until after he's paid as well.

Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:22

Yes see i am confident enough, having watched ebay auctions on my particular buggy that i will get between 300 - 400 for it, which is fine, and started at 150 to encourage bidding iyswim.

I suggested that to the man - he seemd very pushy and said he didnt want to make two trips for it (20 miles) and he would pay cash, etc. I did say if he bid he would save £25 courier.

Just the htought of the 400 TODAY is tempting isnt it but not allowed you all think? I want to do it 'right' you see as i love Ebay and have 100% feedback.

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InternationalFlight · 15/05/2009 10:23

It can be frowned on but you won't be in any trouble.

only accept cash on collection and end the listing after he has collected and paid. Not before.

I did this with something the other week, I had 80 watchers and couldn't be bothered with all the emails, I just wnated it gone (had already had one person buy it properly and not colelct it) so I sold it to the nicest person who asked.

I got a few stroppy emails after it ended as there were a few bids (about the same as yours, 150 odd and I got £450 offered, so took it)

but you have to do what you feel most comfortable with.

Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:23

horsemad - yes its very tempting but isnt it dishonest to cancel the ebay auction with the bidder on it?

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InternationalFlight · 15/05/2009 10:24

It's not dishonest as such. You'd be avoiding fees technically but I find their fee system very dishonest myself, so don't have toooo much guilt about it.

If he is pushy though I would say bugger orf

Only sell to someone you feel comfortable with.

InternationalFlight · 15/05/2009 10:26

Actually I suppose it is a bit dishonest, ie you've advertised it and then not paid their commission...however I'd already paid high listing fees for my item, so I felt ebay had had enough of the profits.

Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:26

DH would be here so i wouldn't be alone with strange man and i wont have to apck it up either....[tempting] and i suppose seller fees will be 35-40 quid

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Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:27

we ebay a lot so they get plenty of my money anyway its the bidder i would feel guilty for

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SparklyGothKat · 15/05/2009 10:29

FVF would be about £40 plus Paypal fees, I would go with the one who can pay cash now...

InternationalFlight · 15/05/2009 10:31

Wow is it that much?

Scorp - you can email the bidder and apologise, I've done this before.
I think it helps a bit.
Say you've sold it privately.

I didn't feel the need this time as I had a stupid bidder who bunged about 17 bids on all about a quid apart, trying to outbid the next person up - it had about 37 bids when I closed it, ridiculous. How dare they mess up my bidding list!!

Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:31

and i suppose he will only pay once he has seen it/used it in the house so no worry of refunds etc.

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Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:32

LOL @ your bidder list

It was a good £5 to list (big photos etc) and the bidder cant think she will win for £150 anyway, its a denim limited edition Bug (700 new) so its not like im doing it too close to the end...i have messaged the man.

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maxybrown · 15/05/2009 10:32

I think you also need to think of yourself too. Although I'd be the same.....it is thought honest strings pulling isn't it? I hate them! lol.

You could add to the listing that it is also advertised locally (hence man collecting) and you reserve the right to end the auction. Ebay will still get the fee you paid to list it anyway. (but I CERTAINLY wouldn't feel guilt over ebay losing out!!)

Then let the man come, if he likes it and takes it then da dah! (Then hope it's not at more than he's paying when you go to end it lol....)

InternationalFlight · 15/05/2009 10:33

Yes, that's right. Pushy in a keen way or a threatening way? Can he spell? Txtspk or capitals would put me off. Some people might want to get your price down but others are happy just to get the item secured iyswim and will pay up.

Good luck!

Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:36

He can spell and everything and said he has a 4 week old but isn't getting on with their Buzz. DH will be here anyway (is thai boxer LOL) so no worries
He wasnt mega pushy just annoyed i think!

OP posts:
InternationalFlight · 15/05/2009 10:36

sorry came across as a right snob, what I mean is your 'HAVE YOU STILL GOT BUGGY WILL U TAKE 400 COLLECT 2DAY RING 077...' types

Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:37

he didnt want to make 2 trips as with a 4 week old time is tight and he pointed out i would save fees, but did end with kind regards. have messaged him to say tonight is ok like he suggested

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Original poster
ScorpiowithabigS · 15/05/2009 10:37

i know what you mean the ones that put kisses on make me LOL

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nicolamumof3 · 15/05/2009 10:48

i would defintely go with cash buyer. but don't end listing til he's been paid and collected. only take cash no paypal. good luck!

horsemadgal · 15/05/2009 10:50

I can see his point. I wouldn't want to travel to see a buggy, have cash waiting and then have to wait to see if win.
If he's offering the £400 cash, I'd grab it.
It's only being portayed as dishonest to stop auctions by eBay who are losing fees. Like they don't get enough.

KingCanuteIAm · 15/05/2009 10:57

The other bidder may not win the auction anyway and, if that were the case he would just go and find another one to bid on. For all you know they could be an opening offer bidder hoping for a good deal but not prepared to pay any more.

FWIW I think it is always worth putting "This is advertised elsewhere so may end early" for high price items as it gives you an out if someone comes along and offers you something you are prepared to take (even if it is not through ebay).

Take the bird in the hand is my advice

5inthebed · 15/05/2009 11:08

I'd go with cash buyer as well. Who's to say they wouldn't have been the winner anyway.

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