Buyer messaged me with an offer... but I don’t have BO enabled at this time

[brithad24]

Ok so I know there are discussions (aka heated debates lol) on this, I promise I’ve read them,  but I was hoping for some clarification on a couple things. I’m a relatively new seller, so still establishing my best practices.  

Let me preface this by saying that I have no problem with being flexible on an item or the BO system. But I’m a direct kind of person, if I put BO on a listing there’s too many mind games- I’ll have to inflate my price to keep my target profits where they need to be, which will usually torpedo any chance of pricing competitively. Or the BO eats into the profits. I’d much rather just post it at a fair price, and if it doesn’t sell in a few weeks, I’ll reevaluate. Now if a buyer contacts me with a fair reason for a lower price, then I pretty much always accept.

I know that I’m new, but so far I’ve been pretty happy with this strategy.  I know some people prefer to do the opposite and if that’s what works for your business model, more power to you. 

I had a really bad experience with someone contacting me with an offer on a no BO listing- long story short (although if you want details I can write it), I ended up having to block him... and the item ended up selling 4 days later for my asking price lol. I’m not sure if this was an unusual or typical occurrence though.  

Now I’ve gotten another offer on an a no BO listing... it’s not exactly hardcore low ball, but it is 35% off of an item that’s the only one listed (and I listed it at the same price it sold for recently). And it’s only been posted a few days- I know I’ll get the price I’m asking, and am fine with waiting.

I was thinking about just writing a response: thank you for your interest, but I’m not accepting offers right now, but would be happy to entertain offers if it doesn’t sell in the next few weeks.

My questions are this:

1. Is it common to have problems with buyers like this or did I just get a bad apple before?

2. Is a non response or a negative response to the“offer” more likely to irritate the buyer 

If you typically block these buyers:

3. Have you ever had someone you blocked (in this situation) seek retribution of some sort? Just wondering what the cost/benefit looks like

Trying to err on the side of caution since I’m still in the process of building up my feedback. Your time and wisdom are greatly appreciated 🙂

[gwzcomps]

I personally just ignore them or block them anymore.  People making BO on items you aren't taking BO on are usually a waste of time.  Especially if it is a lowball offer. 

Only exception is if the buyer wants to make a bulk purchase.  Even then it is situational because if I'm not taking offers there is a reason.

[cityslickercreations2004]

This "buyer" is a potential customer. Who knows what will happen. They may come back with a better offer or just purchase your item. They may just move on. I see no need to block or ignore them.  Ever had a sales clerk ignore you? You could easily be turning a potential customer into a never customer for you and the rest of us. 

"I was thinking about just writing a response: thank you for your interest, but I’m not accepting offers right now, but would be happy to entertain offers if it doesn’t sell in the next few weeks." I think that is an excellent response. If they become a problem block them. There is a way you can prevent blocked buyers from contacting you. I hear this is not 100% fool proof.

Good luck.

[otow_18]

You could click Reply with Offer instead of the Reply if you reply, with an offer higher than your buyer's BO which they can either Accept or just go away.

[mr_lincoln]

@brithad24   I don't use Best Offer, never have, all it does is drive prices down.  However, like you I will get the occasional offer, most of course are low.  I politely let them know that at their offered price (often they want shipping "thrown in") I would be selling for a loss and would have to decline ... and I make no counter offer.  It is rare that I make an offer unless I am ready to move the item on.

[fern*wood]

The ability to make an offer on items without BO enabled is allowed since ebay has that as an option under ask a question.   I have never had any problem with buyers doing this.  If I can accept, I do, and if not, I just decline with some generic polite answer.  I don't get into a back and forth and haven't had any need to block. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I turn down almost all of them & I get them every day.  If I wanted to use BO, it would be on the listing.   IMO most are gracious, a few are PITA's & I have blocked a few.  I know many sellers BBL just b/c they asked!  I personally don't do that, but if they get salty, I BBL.   Some sellers consider it very rude to ask. 

I haven't had anyone seek retribution, but I did have to contact Ebay on 1 'buyer' who told me I was rude & to go suck on something b/c she felt my reply "Sorry, my price is firm" was exceptionally rude LOL.  That was years ago, just came across her, now she's become a seller, so I guess Ebay did nothing.  

YMMV & probably at least somewhat depends on the demographic you sell to.  Mine is usually a polite bunch.   BTW, one thing I DO have a lot of success with is turning those BO's into full price sales. 

I personally find it annoying when sellers who don't have BO accept unsolicited offers b/c it encourages the practice, but so many do!  If you want offers, I'd encourage you to put BO on the listing, but I get that you're figuring it all out.  

[7606dennis]

Alas!  It appears that eBay has done a 180 on their policy of considering an offer when the BO option isn't in the listing to be an attempt to arrange an off site transaction.  Personally, I would simply advise the person that I'm not interested in receiving offers and advise them that the asking price was firm.  Their response would determine if they found themselves on my BBL.

One advantage to receiving offers is that it gives the seller the opportunity to check out the persons feedback left for others and their bid retraction record. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

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@7606dennis wrote:

One advantage to receiving offers is that it gives the seller the opportunity to check out the persons feedback left for others and their bid retraction record. 

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Great point!  Just today I rec'd not an offer, but a rude ASQ which allowed me to check her FB left & I saw many neuts/negs for late USPS delivery.  Hello BBL.  

I do miss the days when it was 'not allowed' for buyers to send us unsolicited BO's, though they still did. 

[myboardid]

I have Best offer on my listings with just a few dollars off, but no more than 5% of the price.  I have it set up to not show me any offers below that minimum, so I am not bothered by offers that are too low.  I get new Best Offer sales daily with this system in addition to the ones where buyers pay full price.  I rarely get a rude person, and have never had a single buyer ask for free shipping in addition to the offer.  I have never blocked anyone for making an offer.  If I need to refuse an offer, I do so very politely.   

[mrsdimmer]

So just a follow up Q on process. If I DID want to entertain an offer messaged to me on a BIN listing with no BO button, how exactly would I go about completing the sale for the messaged offer? Thanks! (Sorry to h i jack the thread)

[iowa_east_coast]

If you go to Contact seller on an item, ebay has put make an offer there. 

If you choose it it says, the seller doesn't have make an offer but make one anyway.

[fern*wood]

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@mrsdimmer wrote:

So just a follow up Q on process. If I DID want to entertain an offer messaged to me on a BIN listing with no BO button, how exactly would I go about completing the sale for the messaged offer? Thanks! (Sorry to h i jack the thread)

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The email should have a "Reply with Offer" and you just fill it out (along with your return message) and send.  The recipient will have a limited amount of time to accept if they wish.

[cityslickercreations2004]

Here is what I do for my buyers.

I set up a reserved listing using their ID as the title such as "Reserved for ..."

I use a generic picture (my items are pratty run-of-the-mill).

I list specifically what is being sold. I do not use "per our conversation..."

I then email the buyer a thank you with the ebay item number so they can go directly to the listing to purchase.

My buyers love it!

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I'm not sure why you're responding to me, as I didn't ask for any help.  I was just sharing my experience.   I think it's great if you don't ever get a rude person or have never had a buyer ask for FS with their offer.   In my category, it's super common for them to ask for FS & while most are polite, I've certainly had my share of entitled ones who think you owe them a certain price b/c they paid that price elsewhere.   I get a ton of those.