Why do Sellers use Best Offer, but then not accept any best offers? | Buying

stepstonellc · 2026-06-30T23:34:02.836665Z

I've noticed sellers listing with best offer, but then setting E-Bay to not really accept any best offers.Example, I just made an offer on an item that a seller had listed for $112 + $12 shipping.I offered $100 + ship, so basically just asking for free shipping. It was auto declined immediately.Then I made an offer of $106 + ship, so basically just asking for half priced shipping and it was auto declined. It was at this point, I wondered what the seller even meant by best offer.So I went ahead and submitted an offer of $111 + ship, just to see what would happen, and that was also auto declined!So they listed the item with best offer, and set a limit so it would auto decline, but they won't even accept $1 off the price. If I had to guess, I bet they set their limit at $111.99 + ship and the best offer is just a penny off!At this point, I've decided not to pay their price, just on general principle. Another seller has the same item for $130 with free shipping and best offers turned on, so I think I am moving on to them to make an offer.I have noticed this recently though. Sellers auto declining offers that are just 5% off the listed price. If you aren't even going to take 5% off, why bother with setting up best offer? I know when you send offers as a seller, you have to give a minimum 5% discount. I wish E-Bay would apply this to listing with a best offer. E-Bay will auto accept any best offer of 5% or less if you turn best offer on. And the setting in the listing is for setting auto accepts and min bids above the 5% offer.

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Why do Sellers use Best Offer, but then not accept any best offers? | Buying | eBay Community