Quick Ebay question

[Mickey Fliers]

If a potential buyer sent you a message asking what your reserve price was, would you tell them? I have only dealt with Ebay a hand full of times and this was the first time I have had that question.

Thanks!

 

[jackemail]

I wouldn't!

 

[Dancemom03]

That's a query I often wonder about myself. Since I don't do well at all with reserve price auctions I don't have a lot of experience - for me, it discourages more bids than it gets, and I'm lucky if i even get the resrve price or a couple of dollars more - but I always tell them my reserve price. The benefit, as I see it, is if they bid to meet the reserve early in the auction, it'll make that intimidating reserve price disappear and hopefully generate many more bids afterwards when people who are intimidated by reserves see it. Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it doesn't

I've also tried setting the reserve a tad higher than neccessary and lowering it in the last 24-48 hrs so everybody who has it on their watch list gets an email to prompt them to look again at my newly lowered reserve price auction. You don't have to lower it much, even a few dollars will usually generate a message to watchers.

Good luck with your auction whatever you decide...

EDITED TO ADD -- if you reply with the reserve price don't choose the option to post the question/answer on the item page. IMO that's for those who are serious enough to ask only...

 

[SalandJeff]

I would answer the buyer with the reserve price also. What harm can it do...if the person is seriously interested and the price is right for them, they will make sure to come back to buy. If it gives that buyer an advantage over other buyers, so be it...you are still getting the price you want. I think it would also give the buyer a positive view of you as a seller - you have taken the time to respond to them and are "helping" them to buy your product.

 

[Pamlur]

Absolutely. I have even seen reserve prices stated in the listing; it's not a secret, it is just what you have to get for the item.