If you're not going to entering offers, why accept them? (eBay)

[rz]

I'm guessing it's one of those things eBay turns on by default whether the seller really wants it or not. I have a friend who sells a lot of stuff on eBay and he has complained to me many times that he'll set up his listing a certain way, only to have eBay change it on him without his permission.

The same kind of stuff happens on craigslist too. Someone has a cheap guitar listed. Originally listed it for $60. I offered $50 for it and he came back and said $55. Ok. When I asked for directions to his house, he claimed "his son" had already sold it to someone else for the $60. This was last summer. A couple of months ago, he has it relisted for $55. I only want the guitar so my wife can do a painting pour on it. But the guy was such a putz about it that I refuse to buy it on principle. It's still listed.

[deckeda]

Well, I got it at $30 and we both did a lot of clicking over $1.99.

[decay]

I agree as a buyer it can be frustrating as well.

When I do make an offer lower than asking price, I add a personal note about why I want it and thank them for considering. Being kind and polite can grease the gears a little sometimes.

[Acer]

We're all on eBay to make and save a buck where we can. As a seller, I'm more likely to dicker over a dollar with an offer on a low cost item, if only because my margin is smaller, too. $1 may make the difference between profit and loss on a $30 item. Just the nature of business.

And lest you think eBay is some forsaken wasteland, you'll get the exact same type of lowballing and bickering over a buck at your yard sale.

[Zoidberg]

rz wrote:
I'm guessing it's one of those things eBay turns on by default whether the seller really wants it or not. I have a friend who sells a lot of stuff on eBay and he has complained to me many times that he'll set up his listing a certain way, only to have eBay change it on him without his permission.

Yeah, this. I haven't had an eBay listing for a while, but I remember offers being turned on automatically, and eBay pushing it hard (I forget the tactic), so in a lot of cases I just would put my lowest acceptable offer was about 10% less than the starting or BIN price.