E-bay question, how to respond to...

[elgerber]

People who e-mail and ask if they can buy the item now, when you do not have a buy it now option. I had one of those this morning. She has already placed a big at my opening amount. The auction is scheduled to close on Sunday. How do I respond without sounding rude???

Thanks!

Erika

 

[ksoehrlein]

To quote from other people's experience, in 3 words, "Don't do it!" It sounds like people offer to do a buy it now when they know that an item will sell for MUCH more if the auction were allowed to run its course.

If you are a newbie (like me) you can send a nice "It's all eBay's fault" e-mail to the bidder -- Buy it Now's are not allowed for users under a certain feedback number (I think 10?).

If the bidder does have a good reason, however, (like a timing issue) and the price is good enough, I might consider the offer. But I can't remember, is it against eBay's rules or not?

I just know that requests like that give me an uneasy feeling.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[HeatherAnn23]

This happens to me all the time. Generally I tell the prospective buyer that I don't want to jeopardize my integrity as a seller. I tell them that my Ebay standing is very important to me, and it is important that I am trusted as an ebay seller. Ebay members can see how many auctions I have ended early, and other statistics like feedback. Ebay also has rules against selling items directly. I would advise the bidder to use the ebay system the way it was designed, to protect both parties. If they are looking for something to buy directly, they can look at Ebay stores - you are selling in the auction format.

 

[inkkognito]

I agree with the others...I would say no and blame it on Ebay. A person really can't argue much when you use the rules as your reason.
Barb

 

[elgerber]

I did send her an e-mail stating, sorry but to be fair to all prospective bidders, I do not end my auctions early.

We'll see what they say, but she's already bid, so she's stuck.

Erika

 

[Dancind]

Well, you can't revise an auction once there is a bid, so you can't add a BIN. What she is doing is asking you to end the auction early and sell to her off EBay, or sell to her for her bid plus some agreed upon amount. The risks are hers, except for the risk of getting turned in to EBay (and losing your account) or getting less for your item than you might have. Have you done a completed auction search for the item you're selling?

 

[montblanc]

Sometimes people use "Buy It Now" because they are in a hurry and the price can be good. Nonetheless as an experienced eBay seller I highly recommend sticking to your auction policies, if there is no "Buy It Now" then don't cancel. Selling on eBay is about building trust and confidence.

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[nuke]

I always just say that it isn't fair to other bidders and say no. Usually they will back off but I did have one lady call me a freak once. I put her on my blocked list.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I'm pretty sure you can make an auction a buy it now and make it availiable only one particular bidder. That's the "legal" way to do it. My bf wanted a particular item right away for a gift. He emailed the seller and she made the auction a buy it now only availiable for him to bid on. -Stephanie