Ebay BINs

[HercDriver]

What's the perceived etiquette on making offers to guys with BINs on Ebay? If I remember right, it's against the rules, but I'm sure people do it. There's a card I've been interested in for quite some time, but it's always relisted at the same price, about 15% too high. You would think if it didn't sell in six months, the guy might drop the price, but it hasn't happened. Would you send him a note to nudge him along?

Thanks!
Geno

[ChiSoxCardboard]

I don't think making offers is against the rules...but offering to deal off of eBay is against the rules. Some sellers don't care, but most medium- to high-volume sellers won't entertain such offers because they don't want eBay to ding them.

If I were you, I'd just drop him a note that says if he dropped the price on eBay to such and such a price, you'd hit the BIN immediately. Only risk for you is that you don't hit it in time and someone else gets it. No risk to the seller if he's willing to part with the card at that price.

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by ChiSoxCardboard

I don't think making offers is against the rules...but offering to deal off of eBay is against the rules. Some sellers don't care, but most medium- to high-volume sellers won't entertain such offers because they don't want eBay to ding them.

If I were you, I'd just drop him a note that says if he dropped the price on eBay to such and such a price, you'd hit the BIN immediately. Only risk for you is that you don't hit it in time and someone else gets it. No risk to the seller if he's willing to part with the card at that price.

I did something similar to that once. The seller had a card listed with a BIN price but no Best Offer so I sent a message suggesting that if they relisted with a Best Offer I would offer $x for the card. I never suggest off-line transactions. The seller messaged me back and shortly thereafter the item was relisted, I made my offer and it was accepted. The card had been listed for quite some time at $1400.00 with no takers. My offer was $1000.00.

As far as sellers that continually list items at high BIN prices, I've found that it helps if you know the seller's tendencies. There is one seller on eBay that lists items at high BINs. I've purchased many cards from him because he periodically discounts his items 20%. Even with the discount his stuff is a bit pricey. When a sale is on, I offer him 80% of his asking price because I know that is his comfort zone. A few times I've offered 75% of his asking price but they are typically rejected with a few exceptions.

[bobbyw8469]

Definitely! He responded to my messages within minutes and shipped the very next day. I believe a model for all eBay sellers.

Thank you! I try to be one of the best!

[Theoldprofessor]

Originally Posted by ChiSoxCardboard

I don't think making offers is against the rules...but offering to deal off of eBay is against the rules. Some sellers don't care, but most medium- to high-volume sellers won't entertain such offers because they don't want eBay to ding them.

If I were you, I'd just drop him a note that says if he dropped the price on eBay to such and such a price, you'd hit the BIN immediately. Only risk for you is that you don't hit it in time and someone else gets it. No risk to the seller if he's willing to part with the card at that price.

I did exactly this on a card I'd been watching for over a year. Month after month -- same card, same inflated price. In my note I told the seller I'd had an eye on the card, that it seemed apparent that it wasn't going to sell at that price, and that would buy it if he'd lower the price to &%*$&&!!!! I even suggested a time when he might do that, after which I'd jump on it. (Enlightened self interest) He agreed, I got my card, he got about as much loot as he would ever get for it, and eBay rang up another sale.

Not illegal, not even cheating. Just a good deal for everybody.

[thecatspajamas]

I really don't think anybody is going to get offended by an offer of 10-15% below their asking price. It's the offers of 85-90% below asking that tick sellers off. It sounds ridiculous, but as a seller with Best Offer enabled on practically everything I list, I can tell you I get at least one or two of those a day. And as a result, my blocked bidders list grows almost daily...

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

I really don't think anybody is going to get offended by an offer of 10-15% below their asking price. It's the offers of 85-90% below asking that tick sellers off. It sounds ridiculous, but as a seller with Best Offer enabled on practically everything I list, I can tell you I get at least one or two of those a day. And as a result, my blocked bidders list grows almost daily...

Lance, your point is well taken but,

if a seller has a $150 card listed with a $900 BIN and his other listings have comparably marked up asking prices, I have no hesitation in making an offer of $150. If he blocks me, I could care less and he keeps his inventory forever. I think it depends on who is being unreasonable. I know that I wont be blocked at his estate sale.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

... I know that I wont be blocked at his estate sale.

Ouch!

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Lance, your point is well taken but,

if a seller has a $150 card listed with a $900 BIN and his other listings have comparably marked up asking prices, I have no hesitation in making an offer of $150. If he blocks me, I could care less and he keeps his inventory forever. I think it depends on who is being unreasonable. I know that I wont be blocked at his estate sale.

Ha! Okay, fair enough. I was thinking more of my own case, where I price things at something resembling fair market value: maybe not bargain basement prices, but certainly not 6x-10x what an item is worth. Bottom line though is that, whether it's the buyer or the seller who is being unreasonable, if there is that much disparity in the perceived value of the item, I think both parties are better off moving on to the next deal.

And just for the record, I've been selling on eBay for a looong time, and haven't always had the "block the bottom-feeders" policy. Even when I used to at least counter every offer I received though, no matter how ridiculous the initial offer, I can't recall a single instance where someone started out at 10-15% of my asking price and we finally settled somewhere in the middle.

[steve B]

If he's got the "make offer" option, making an offer is fine. Some sellers like their stuff a bit too much and get cranky with lowball offers, but I'd think 10-15% less is reasonable.

I think offers on BIN items without the make an offer feature turned on are maybe a bit of a gray area, but I don't think it's that far over the line to ask.

Now making offers on current running auctions is totally different. Others feel differently. (And please lets not make this one of those threads)

Steve B

[Gradedcardman]

I agree with Steve. I have found if your interested in a card and their is no make an offer option, you better get in touch with them and make sure. I have lost many items by not asking the question and someone else does.

[HercDriver]

Just to clear up the question, I'm only talking about BINs when there is no "make an offer." If it was just posted, I can see where the guy would want to let it ride a bit. But after months of not moving at the same price, it seems like they need a push...

Take Care,
Geno

[atx840]

Steve

[smtjoy]

I have no problem getting offers on cards in my store that do not have best offer on them, and I accept lots of them. To be honest having best offer can be a real pain as its open season for silly offers.

If you know the seller is a member here or another forum then just send them a email/message offer then if interested they can get you the best price and save a little cash too.

[Sean]

I have occasionally made offers without a BIN. None of the sellers seemed offended, and they usually accept or counter-offer.

[JasonD08]

I get rediculous offers daily. I sell the majority of my stuff for 85-100% of my asking price. If I know it is a member from the boards or repeat customer I will pass along the savings of fees to them doing a private deal with PP gift or check. Sometimes this resluts in 20%+ off an item. I usually do not budge unless the purchase is $100+. Then 10-15% off is typical depending on the amount spent. I try to price items around VCP average with a 15% or so "buffer" because in theis market everyone wants to make offers. Now on some tougher items or $30 and less most collectors just buy the item and move forward. Sometimes if they do this on multiples I just surprise them on the invoice with free shipping. I may also ask if they need any other store items and offer 10% off anything additional or 15% off privately.

Jason

[Jlighter]

I just did this the other day, not a card. Sent him an offer, and received a counter. He changed the BIN to the counter and wrote on the listing title that the lot was already reserved and he wouldn't sell to anyone else.