Ebay Make Offer Protocol - Help

[Empty77]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

What is bad form is when the seller has an auto-reject on the listing, the bidder makes an offer substantially below the opening price, the offer is rejected, and the bidder then sends some lame-ass "what's the best you can do" email.

I've never done that but it's hard to see how it's any different from dealing with someone at a show who wanders by, looks something over, and asks "what's the best you can do on this?" which is overheard all the time---they have the same direct access. It could leave the impression that ebay is just a way to avoid dealing with people entirely.

But if sellers want to be in the biz, don't they need a thick enough skin for that sort of thing, and ought they ideally to have a bubbly enough personality to engage in the $$$ discussion---they are trying to coax other people to part with theirs after all.

[frankbmd]

My response to "what's the best you can do?" is to block you.

Bidding against yourself is never a good idea.

[Empty77]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

My response to "what's the best you can do?" is to block you.

Bidding against yourself is never a good idea.

I think this may miss the point ---because it's not really "bidding" at all in this case, is it?

If a seller doesn't have the stones to put an item up for actual bidding in an open auction format and just let it go for what the market decides, then it is hard to see how they can reasonably complain about having to spend effort rejecting offers, responding to emails, and blocking bidders they deem a nuisance.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Empty77

I've never done that but it's hard to see how it's any different from dealing with someone at a show who wanders by, looks something over, and asks "what's the best you can do on this?" which is overheard all the time---they have the same direct access. It could leave the impression that ebay is just a way to avoid dealing with people entirely.

But if sellers want to be in the biz, don't they need a thick enough skin for that sort of thing, and ought they ideally to have a bubbly enough personality to engage in the $$$ discussion---they are trying to coax other people to part with theirs after all.

When I'm set up at a show and somebody asks me "What's the best you can do on this?", I like to respond, "What's the most amount of money you will give me?".

Sounds rude in text, but it's actually a pretty good ice breaker, if you can say it with a smile on your face.

[G1911]

I made an offer below the starting bid on an item recently. It was accepted.

[nwobhm]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

When I'm set up at a show and somebody asks me "What's the best you can do on this?", I like to respond, "What's the most amount of money you will give me?".

Sounds rude in text, but it's actually a pretty good ice breaker, if you can say it with a smile on your face.

Smart businessman.

Blocking buyers for low offers is foolish IMHO. Been buying/selling almost 40yrs now. Never been insulted by lowball offers. It's nothing more than a starting point. Politely countered or refused is good business. On many occasion the lowballer returns and pays full price. If no deal is made, at a minimum, the potential buyer understands the seller is an adult that understands proper business etiquette.

[Empty77]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

When I'm set up at a show and somebody asks me "What's the best you can do on this?", I like to respond, "What's the most amount of money you will give me?".

Sounds rude in text, but it's actually a pretty good ice breaker, if you can say it with a smile on your face.

yes, that's exactly the sort of thing I was thinking---personality