Is this ethical??

[momoftwins]

If you can believe this, I have never even bid on anything on EBay. I didn't even know what the term reserve meant until I looked it up!

Anyway, my question is, I bid on something on the disauctions and did not win the bid. It looks like no one did, since the reserve was not met. I would still like to offer the seller something more than what I bid.

Is it unethical to send an email to the seller and offer them another bid, after the bidding was closed? I don't want anyone to think, especially the seller, that I am trying to be sneaky.

Thanks and have a nice day.

 

[posguy]

Theres nothing sneaky about that. The seller may even tell you what his reverve was to sell the item. Go ahead and ask.

 

[Tigger Fans!]

I would probably email the seller to see if he/she was going to relist the item. See what the seller's response is

TTFN!

 

[cats mom]

I just did this. The seller can send you a 2nd chance offer through e-bay for an agreed upon price. He had listed and re-listed the item and I was the only bidder both times - so I think it worked out for both of us, although he lowered his price considerably. Good Luck!

 

[DisneyKidds]

No problem. In the past, after not winning auction items, I have contacted ebay sellers directly and purchased items directly from them.

 

[kashkdz]

I agee with prior posts. The seller won't know you're interested, unless you email him/her. If your bid was the highest, he/she may sell it for the bid price. I've sold and purchased many items after an ebay auction closed and the reserve price was not met. If you email the seller, they should respond letting you know their interest in selling.

 

[viluvsdisney]

Hi - I have "resold" 3 different items to buyers who missed the auction close or under bid my reserve. I'm always happy to negotiate!

 

[NotTooGoofy]

My wife has done this a number of times, both as buyer and seller. After the listing has expired, I see no ethical reason why you couldn't contact the buyer to come to an agreement.

 

[momoftwins]

I contacted the seller, now I will wait to see if they are interested.

Have a great day.

 

[frannn]

I have never run accross a problem. The only thing to keep in mind is that if you buy directly from the seller (after auction end), I believe neither party is protected under ebay guidelines anymore. I would check the seller's feedback before making an offer outside ebay. Although, the odds are in your favor! Good luck!