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Seller Keeps Raising Price
So here's the story:
I saw an item which I was interested in and put it on my watch list, thinking I would bid if the price didn't get high (there were no bids at the time). Unfortunately, I got busy the day the auction was scheduled to end, and missed out. As it happens, the auction ended with zero bids. I reached out to the seller to see if he intended to relist the item (not asking to purchase outside of eBay parameters or anything), and he said he was, and he did - at the same price as the original listing ($6.99 plus shipping).
I made an offer of slightly less than his asking price, which would have made the total purchase including shipping $10.00. He counter-offered with $12.99 plus shipping - nearly double the original asking price - stating he'd made a mistake in the listing price. OK, fine, mistakes happen.
Today, I noticed that he had the same (or similar) item listed, priced at $5.99 plus shipping. Again, I submitted a slight lower offer, to make the total purchase including shipping $10.00. Less than an hour later, I find that the auction has been ended early, and the item subsequently relisted at $12.00 plus shipping.
I can't help but think this guy is screwing with people. If I catch one of his listings at $5.99 again, I may just bid on it - it's harder to cancel an auction that actually has bids, right? Or he'll get someone to shill-bid for him.
Is there any way to, I dunno, report this to eBay? Seems sketchy to me.
evry1nositswindy
Mentor2 years agoI think I would find another seller if you can find the same item.
I will admit though that I have raised the price when I list something and immediately get a few watchers. To me that says the item is priced too low. I've had some items sell within minutes of listing them and I figured the price was too low! But I would never counter a best offer with a high price--that is just bad business!
evry1nositswindy
Mentor2 years agoI know it doesn't sound nice, but sellers can price their items any way they want. There is nothing to report. You might be dealing with someone new. Was best offer on the listing or did you just make an unsolicited offer? Some sellers don't know that best offer is turned on and don't like receiving offers. Why did you make a lower offer if the item was already $5.99, which you said you would be okay with? If the seller thinks you are playing games, you might find yourself blocked. At that point, you need to find another seller.
As for shill bidding, I doubt it.
zyrilia
OP2 years agoOh, I know they can price however they want. I just question why - twice now - when I made an offer through the 'Make Offer' button in the listing, the seller turned around and not only declined the offer, but doubled the price.
Had it only happened once, I would understand - as I said, mistakes can happen. Having it happen twice, though, I start to feel like the seller is up to something.
Also, 'Make Offer' is still an available option on the new listings, so if he really doesn't want offers, he's not making much effort to avoid them.
As for "Why did you make a lower offer if the item was already $5.99, which you said you would be okay with?" I never said $5.99 was an acceptable price. Both offers would have resulted in a total purchase of $10 including shipping.
I will watch and see, I guess. I am in no hurry to get the item (or one like it) and there are many on the market (though mostly out of my price range).