Ebay Make Offer Protocol - Help

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I assume most "Best Offers" on auctions are looking for a price above the starting bid, that would force them to consider ending the auction early.

Sort of the opposite of a BIN, with a "Best Offer".

Would somebody consider it bad form? I don't know. I think it's kind of bad form to put "Best Offer", on an auction item to begin with..........but my etiquette, and somebody's else's etiquette, are often two very different things.

Just assume, no matter what you do.............somebody, somewhere is going to consider it "bad form".

That's not political correctness either, in case somebody wants to jump on that bandwagon.........that's just human nature.

If it is a "buy it now" listing with a best offer option - I would expect offers lower than the BIN.

If it is an auction listing with a best offer option - as stated in the quoted response - the seller may be looking for a "make me an offer that I can't refuse to end the auction early and take your offer" which by definition would be higher than the then highest bid. It gives a buyer an opportunity to not have to compete with others for the item which may lead to he/she paying more than a good offer that ends the auction early.