Ebay: Why even offer a "make an offer" option

[DawnM]

if you don't plan to use it.

UGH.

Someone has an item listed for $26 and has a make an offer option listed.

I offered $22.

Instead of a counter offer, it was just declined.

Now I don't even want the item from this seller.

It was only $4 less......why not at least counter offer for what you would like to get. Obviously I am in the ballpark.

Off to find ANOTHER seller selling this item.

Dawn

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'm am guessing they are hoping to make more and are using the make an offer function like the buy it now function. If you had offered $4 more I bet they would have accepted.

 

[JeRmS]

The seller probably has an auto-decline setup.

I can list an item for $25/OBO and set my auto-decline to any amount between $15-$20, if someone offers $18 for my item the system generates the decline and I'm not even alerted there was an offer.

 

[DawnM]

Of course they would have. That was the buy is now price.

Normally when I make an offer, if the seller doesn't want my offer, they will counter.

Saying no just scream to me that they don't want to sell it to me.

Dawn

I'm am guessing they are hoping to make more and are using the make an offer function like the buy it now function. If you had offered $4 more I bet they would have accepted.

 

[DawnM]

I didn't know this. However, I think it is odd to decline an offer for $4 less. Why not just list buy it now and no offer option?

Dawn

The seller probably has an auto-decline setup.

I can list an item for $25/OBO and set my auto-decline to any amount between $15-$20, if someone offers $18 for my item the system generates the decline and I'm not even alerted there was an offer.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Maybe the make an offer item is intended more for things like cars, but people use it for smaller stuff.

 

[pigletto]

I was looking at a coat I want for my son next year just last night with this option. It was listed for 100 and then I saw that the seller had declined over 15 offers. Obviously I have no way to know what people offered but it does kind of turn you off of buying from them. My thoughts are just list what you want for it and do an auction and a "Buy now" price and be done with it.

 

[DawnM]

If you have smaller stuff and don't wish to take a lower price, you do not have to offer the "make an offer" option. You can make it a straight Buy it Now offer.

Maybe the make an offer item is intended more for things like cars, but people use it for smaller stuff.

 

[DawnM]

It is off-putting.

I guess I could understand if people are offered $50 or something, but I would think an $85 or more offer would at least be considered.

Dawn

I was looking at a coat I want for my son next year just last night with this option. It was listed for 100 and then I saw that the seller had declined over 15 offers. Obviously I have no way to know what people offered but it does kind of turn you off of buying from them. My thoughts are just list what you want for it and do an auction and a "Buy now" price and be done with it.