Ebay etiquette ?

[mom2boys]

I have listed an item for sale. The current high bid is only about 25% of the 2nd highest bids for the same item on other closed bids. (It is a video game.) Would it be inappropriate or against ebay rules to email a couple of the other non-winning bidders on the closed auctions?
Please don't flame me. I am asking because I don't sell much and this item was sold once but the winning bidder never paid or contact me (even after I sent him "snail mail").
Thanks

 

[KM2004]

Hi,

I know that when you're trying to lure someone from buying a product that's active, it's called Bid Siphoning and is prohibitive by eBay.

However, because you want to email non-winning bidders, I don't see the problem in that. You're just offering your product to those who want it. Isn't that eBay's business?

Anyway, i'm no expert, just mho.

good luck!

 

[LisaZoe]

I've not sold anything on eBay yet but am researching how to do it. I would suggest checking the T&Cs for eBay first to be sure there is no specific rule against this. Even then, I would be hesistant to do this. It's unfortunate that this is happening but is one of the risks you take when selling on eBay.

One thought - couldn't you have contacted the next highest bidder on the first auction to offer it to him/her when the winning bidder defaulted? I think it's too late now since you've started a new auction but that might be something to consider in the future.

 

[MICKEY88]

you should set a reserve if you don't want to sell below a certain price.....

not sure if it's against ebay rules to email bidders from another auction to let them know you're selling the same item,

I'd check the sellers rules section

 

[jfulcer]

I agree with a previous poster - if you wanted to get a certain price for your item you should have either listed it at that price or done a reserve bid. This is one thing that can be frustrating about ebay - an item that sells for $100 today may only sell for $5 tomorrow.

Normally those 'losing bidders' would have looked elsewhere (I would have) and might take offense that you are emailing them. I've never had another seller email me like this. So even though it nay not be against the written rules, it may be considered poor taste and you may or may not turn off possible bidders that may find it on their own.

Just remember, it's proven fact that a lot of bidders will wait until the auction is almost over before bidding in an attempt to not drive up their price on the item.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have had sellers do that a few time after I had lost on a certain item....not sure if its against the rules or not though...

 

[mom2boys]

I decided just to let the auction run it's course. I just don't feel right contacting the other bidders - seems kind of slimey.
I gave the non-paying bidder so much time & opportunity to come through on the transaction that I felt it was too late to contact the next highest bidder. I did file a non-paying bidder complaint.

I considered a reserve but decided against it this time. I have quit bidding on more than one item when several bids have failed to meet the reserve.

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions.

 

[krissy3483]

I don't think you would be protected by Ebay if you were to sell the item that way. Also, I know when I am outbid and lose an item, Ebay emails me and at the bottom of the email there are links to auctions for the same (or similar) items, so I would probably guess that Ebay would be against you contacting bidders on your own