Accepting Best Offers

[allyon67]

I just updated all the items in my store to accept best offers. In the past I did have a few listed that way. My concern is that a lot of my listings are also in brick and mortar galleries, so I'm not sure how flexible I can be on offers. Any opinions from art buyers/sellers on how this feature has worked out for you? Warm Regards, Pam

[artistjillian]

I really like the buy it now, with best offers. Some people offer really low. I will accept around 80% of the price, but no lower usually unless they might have bought multiple items. Some people pay the full price with no offer. I don't know why. So set yourself a minimum. The only thing is, if someone offers a price and you decline, they can't make another offer. I use it on some items, but not on others. You might want to do it as a special promotion and back it up with newsletters? ~Jillian

[orion713]

Ooh I didn't know they couldn't make another offer. That stinks. -Amy

[mareensart]

I am a little sceptical towards best offer options. I wasn't sure if you as a seller have to accept an offer a potential buyer makes or not. So I thought, what happens if someone comes up just saying 1.99? And I am the stupid one. Thought when one buyer is the only one making a best offer you must accept this by the end of auction. Now I'm glad to know that you can decline such an offer. ~ Mareen 🙂

[artistjillian]

Mareen, you can definitely decline. They won't get another chance to try again - though I do believe they can pay the BIN price. This is quite good, as, if a buyer really likes your work and wants it, they don't want to risk getting declined. :) ~Jillian

[mareensart]

Well, seeing this from this point of view I think you're right. Yeah, you are. Thank you. :-) ~ Mareen

[allyon67]

Hmm..I didnt know they couldnt counteroffer if you come back with a minimum you will accept thats higher then their offer. That kinda stinks...

[artistjillian]

It doesn't if you think about it, though I believe power sellers can. I think they have 3. This makes people put out their BEST bid so that they don't bid $1.99 on a $20 item, for instance.

[ellenillustrates]

As a buyer, I LOVE Best Offer options on store items. It makes me feel like I'm getting a bargain, but I don't have to feel bad about it because I know the seller doesn't have to accept my offer if it's too low.

[isablue123]

I agree with Ellen, and I find best offers useful as a seller too. I do have a lower limit in mind for each item, and if the offer is below that I send the buyer a counter-offer. Did you know you could? I found this out just recently. The buyer has the option to accept your counter-offer or to decline it, and there is a place to leave terms or explanations.

[fineartistsusan]

Good discussion, I was just curious about store "best offers" my self. I will be opening a store on September 1st. Then I know how to list my items! Susan

[artistjillian]

No, didn't know about the counter-offer. Thanks for that.

[quiltworks]

I found that offering best offer decreased the number of bids for me. I think people think the original price is overpriced if you do so. I stopped offering them and the number of bids went up.