Buyers Making Ridiculous Offers

[voguevintage]

Does anyone have this happen as often as I do?

I mean what is their game here? Are they just that dumb or do they fishing to see if we're slip up and accidentally hit accept?

I'm talking about $5 offers on $100 items....  or, worst yet, $3 offer on a $15 item that has free shipping. It'll cost more to ship than they'll pay! I mean, do they want me to pay to send them something for free?

I don't get it.

And, yes, I know you can set minimums for offer requirements, but I like to be flexible and also that's one extra step for every listing. I just don't get it.

[toysaver]

"worst yet, $3 offer on a $15 item that has free shipping. It'll cost more to ship than they'll pay!"

Yes, there are plenty of buyers that can't do basic math and are clueless about economics and shipping.   Could also be a lack of life experiences or sense of entitlement some (not all) younger buyers have because everyone got a trophy...

[bargainnation]

A few buyers are bored and have nothing better to do. Then some of these buyers feel like it doesn't hurt to make ridiculously low offers because one of their offers could get accepted depending on how long the seller has been trying to sell an item and want to get rid of it even if it mean they just break even. It doesn't hurt to make ridiculously low offers; the only thing a seller can do is accept, decline or make a counteroffer.

I had a buyer make a $16 offer on an item which I declined. The buyer then sent me an offer for $14 for the same item. I added the buyer to my BBL and did not respond to their second offer. At best this is a buyer who is bored.

[pickapaper]

For the most part I quit putting best offer on my listings just because I got tired of all the bottom feeders and it certainly hasn't hurt sales.  If someone is really interested in a better price on something, they will contact you directly through eBay messages and you can send back an offer through the reply.   

Also, you can send offers (and accept counteroffers or not) on your "listings eligible to make offers" on your Tasks section; those are people who have you on their watch list and they will often buy if given a little better price.   

[kathy507]

Some buyers just have to make offers in everything no matter the price you have on the listing.  You can have the lowest price, the lowest shipping cost, compared to similar items and they still want more.

You should not take this personally, though I certainly understand how they just seem to waste your time and can drain your enthusiasm.  If the first low offer is declined and they come back with a second low one, consider blocking.  But it is also worthwhile to check the feedback they left for others before adding them to the BBL.

[kensgiftshop]

That's why I don't do best offers.

[dhbookds]

I don't know why sellers worry about this........or, if not worry about it, spend time being aggravated about it.......just ignore/decline........and get to listing!......lol......

[fern*wood]

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@dhbookds wrote:

I don't know why sellers worry about this........or, if not worry about it, spend time being aggravated about it.......just ignore/decline........and get to listing!......lol......

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I agree with this.

So please tell me why I let it annoy me when they offer unbelievable excuses as to why I need to lower my price.  I had one yesterday claiming they were on fixed income and needed my item for a gift.  Okay I'm also on fixed income too and their feedback shows over 50 items purchased within the last couple weeks (probably more since many don't give feedback).  I guess they are a big gift giver.   I'd rather just receive an offer without the fluff.

[dhbookds]

I'd rather just receive an offer without the fluff.

But they don't know that........  Point being.......if we could all give up trying to expect people to think/act the way we think they "Should"......there might be alot less angst for us.......

[collectfest]

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@voguevintage wrote:

Does anyone have this happen as often as I do?

I mean what is their game here? Are they just that dumb or do they fishing to see if we're slip up and accidentally hit accept?

I'm talking about $5 offers on $100 items....  or, worst yet, $3 offer on a $15 item that has free shipping. It'll cost more to ship than they'll pay! I mean, do they want me to pay to send them something for free?

I don't get it.

And, yes, I know you can set minimums for offer requirements, but I like to be flexible and also that's one extra step for every listing. I just don't get it.

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I totally agree with your examples.

Its a simple fix. Just use the tools eBay provides. Enter the minimum amount you will accept. You'll never see these absurd low ball offers. All will be well. You won't see their absurdity.

A buyer can send any offer they want. I'd rather them be able to send stupid offers than not being able to send any at all.

There are sellers on eBay that have the same item on ebay for years that isn't worth 25% what their asking.

Regards

[fern*wood]

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@dhbookds wrote:

I'd rather just receive an offer without the fluff.

But they don't know that........  Point being.......if we could all give up trying to expect people to think/act the way we think they "Should"......there might be alot less angst for us.......

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Okay, I'll buy that, but maybe I should have said "fluff which makes me feel they aren't being honest and just trying to take advantage of my good nature". 😊

[1tuna]

................general reply............

I do not get many offers since I mostly use auctions and I just do not care for offers.especially if I have started an auction at 1 dollar.I get many offers to stop an auction but I have in my terms of sale that it will not be done.

yeah yeah............ its so and so`s birthday and they have been searching a long time for this.  LIke my mentor used to tell me  "I have heard it all before"

I think some people feel weird about ignoring offers instead of declining them

[toysaver]

I get plenty of offers and I never list with the best offer option...  it's too easy to find what similar items have sold for, just a click or two.  

I'm not saying there are stupid people making low offers just not everyone's brain is wired to work with numbers, they have other superpowers.

[byrd69er]

Just block them all and move on.

Spend your time with real customers.

[byrd69er]

It doesn't hurt to make ridiculously low offers; the only thing a seller can do is accept, decline or make a counteroffer...... and block them.