Advise Needed.. WWYD?

[FrankWakefield]

Tell the buyer the reserve is $3800, out of respect to the other bidders and watchers you're going to let the auction continue, and you wish him good luck with it and hope he wins. That way he can bid $4k, it'll show he's top bidder at $3800, and he can see where it lands...

[Exhibitman]

If you are pleased to sell it at $4K, cancel the auction and sell it. There's an old saying: pigs get slaughtered. I've had a number of auctions where I've offered the seller more offline to close out than the item ended for when the auction took its course. Having an auction with a reserve is a little different than otherwise--you will know the top bidder's max price because it will stall out below the reserve. If the item doesn't reach close to the reserve, congratulations, you just provided the putative buyer with a market-based reason to rescind his offer.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

If you are pleased to sell it at $4K, cancel the auction and sell it. There's an old saying: pigs get slaughtered. I've had a number of auctions where I've offered the seller more offline to close out than the item ended for when the auction took its course. Having an auction with a reserve is a little different than otherwise--you will know the top bidder's max price because it will stall out below the reserve. If the item doesn't reach close to the reserve, congratulations, you just provided the putative buyer with a market-based reason to rescind his offer.

Agreed. Take the money. A bird in the hand...

As far as being fair to the other watchers/bidders...fair doesn't pay the bills. Money does.

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

If you are pleased to sell it at $4K, cancel the auction and sell it. There's an old saying: pigs get slaughtered. I've had a number of auctions where I've offered the seller more offline to close out than the item ended for when the auction took its course. Having an auction with a reserve is a little different than otherwise--you will know the top bidder's max price because it will stall out below the reserve. If the item doesn't reach close to the reserve, congratulations, you just provided the putative buyer with a market-based reason to rescind his offer.

isn't the saying pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered?

I'd prob gamble and let it run it's course since $4000 vs $3800 minus fees isn't a huge difference and there could be upside.

For $4200 I'd end it though.

[Ronnie73]

Let the auction finish. Most bids happen in the last minute. I've had auctions ended early on me and when i find out what was paid, my max bid is usually higher than the dealer accepted. While on a what to do topic, why do some ebay sellers put a card at $150 or best offer and then it ends with as offer for $25. I hate that because i would have paid $40 but figuring your asking way more than its worth, i would just be waisting my time making an offer.

[djrhanover]

Before you decide to end the auction it would benefit you to check the buyer's feedback and previous purchases. That might give you an indication as to whether he will go through with his offer. Otherwise, you'll end up relisting and incurring more fees. Just a thought.

[martingale]

Let the auction run. The offer of $4000 is just 5% above you reserve, not an aggressive/generous premium.

Your worst case scenario is the auction ends between $3,800-$4,100 which implies a $23-$323 loss for you relative to accepting the $4,000 offer.

Based on 30 watchers+511 views, I think your upside potential is too much to give up vs. the limited downside risk.

[71buc]

I recently offered a seller $75 for a photo. He responded that my offer was appreciated but would prefer not to close the auction. He then posted my offer under questions asked so others would be aware of what I was willing to spend. I spent the money on another photo before his auction ended. I later saw he sold his photo for $33.49. Obviously you are talking about significantly more money but based on my small scale example I don't know that I would risk it.

[rhettyeakley]

I'd start the 25th new thread about this collection of Baguer cards & advertise your active ebay listing on the front page of the forum...

To actually answer your question... If you end it it will likely piss off a few potential buyers, if you let it run its course then there will be less pissed off and with the reserve I don't even see the dilemma... let it run its course and if it doesn't sell for your reserve you sell it to the guy that wants to give you $4000... problem solved!!!