Automated "Best Offer/Make An Offer" Implemented Without Seller's Permission

[lorraine_carol]

With regards to ebay's policy to implement the "Best Offer/Make An Offer" when an item doesn't sell after a week or two, has anyone noticed that they also decide what price your item should be sold at?! On my listings the "Make An Offer" price is exactly half of my "Buy It Now" price. If my items sold at half of my asking price, I would lose money on every transaction. When a "Best Offer" is an option, who in their right mind would pay the "Buy It Now" price? I have my prices set at the price I hope to get. If they don't sell, leave it up to me whether to lower the price.

How is this even legal that ebay can dictate to me how much I am to accept for an item?!

As I'm sure this is true with any seller, I do not have the time to sit in front of my computer, refreshing/reloading active listings to see if the "Make An Offer" has been implemented. 

[pburn]

I'm a buyer only, and I use the Best Offer option quite often. I offer a reasonable price (maybe 10% to 20% below BIN price, depending on the prices other sellers or venues are offering). 99% of the time, my offers are accepted. I believe it helps sellers move inventory at a time when so many sellers are concerned about low sales, changes in GTC, etc.

So--again, as a buyer only--just consider perhaps adding a bit to your BIN price so there's a little wiggle room left for Best Offers. You can set an auto-decline dollar amount to reject any offers below a certain amount, so you won't even have to deal with those folks who make insulting offers. You can also counteroffer if you'd like.

When a seller offers and accepts Best Offers, I feel like I've gotten a good deal and am much more likely to become a repeat buyer. I've put every single seller who's accepted a best offer onto my "saved seller" list.

If you don't want to deal with Best Offers, it is my understanding from reading the discussion boards that if a seller uses the Advanced Listing Tool instead of the Quick Listing Tool, eBay does not add the Best Offer option. Maybe another seller will come along and confirm or refute that.

Good luck!

[lorraine_carol]

Thank you for your input so much. However I am aware how the "Best Offer" feature works. My complaint is, ebay's system has now implemented the "Best Offer" feature AUTOMATICALLY, without consent AND they've decided on what price the item should be sold - my listings that reverted to "Best Offer" were all at half price. If I did not notice this and something sold, I'd be out of money.
And thank you as a buyer, for not low-balling sellers. I personally do not opt in for "Best Offer" however buyers can still send an offer, to which I have accepted many other than the low-ballers.

[lorraine_carol]

My apologies if you're reading  this for the 2nd time, I am not overly familiar with the discussion boards. This is a C&P of my reply.
"Thank you for your input so much. However I am aware how the "Best Offer" feature works. My complaint is, ebay's system has now implemented the "Best Offer" feature AUTOMATICALLY, without consent AND they've decided on what price the item should be sold - my listings that reverted to "Best Offer" were all at half price. If I did not notice this and something sold, I'd be out of money.
And thank you as a buyer, for not low-balling sellers. I personally do not opt in for "Best Offer" however buyers can still send an offer, to which I have accepted many other than the low-ballers."
Also I spoke with a CS rep this morning, she stated that selling in the "Advanced Selling" option would not fix this. Sadly.