Cannot message potential buyer who made an offer with a message

[originalgentlemen]

A potential buyer made an offer with a message asking a question and I cannot reply to them unless it is accepting, denying or countering their offer. When I try to message them by going to their profile and typing in the Ebay number it takes me straight to my inbox and that is it. Not to a new message prompt, so I essentially cannot answer any questions outside of the offer system. Am I the only one experiencing this? and it is not the first time for me. 

[dhbookds]

Can't  you just go to messages, put in the buyer id........type the message and send it?  

edit...........to answer my own question...........No, you can't.

I can go to the feedback page, click on contact member, check off it doesn't pertain to an item and that takes me to the message page........which is addressed to the member.........and I can type in something there and send it............