eBay

ajs_coins_and_alchemy · ‎10-25-2023

Let's be clear... I'm NOT suggesting removing the Make Offer/Best Offer option from listings.

I'm asking, do you think, when you click "Contact Seller", and you are given the multiple options or suggestions for why you may be contacting that seller, do you think there should be, or NOT be, an option listed as "Make Offer".

I have seen many debates over unsolicited offers. (Buyers making offers on listings that don't have Best Offer enabled, thus buyers must message a seller their offer). I have seen members defend buyers who message these unsolicited offers. The primary defense I have seen is that there is an OPTION that is labelled "Make Offer" and it literally ENCOURAGES buyers to message the seller and see if they will take a lower price.

Do you think this option and encouragement should be there? Or should it be removed?

I get plenty of messaged offers (often counter offers to discounts/offers I send). Plenty of which I've declined. I have gotten a handful where a buyer simply asked for a discount and I gave them the usual discount we send out and it was a great deal, or a buyer asks for a bulk discount buying a large batch of the item and I oblige, but most of my offers are honestly just... well... I'll be polite and say I rather not get them.

So, if the argument is made EBay encourages it... I ask, should EBay continue to encourage it? Or cease/remove it?

Thoughts?

ajs_coins_and_alchemy · ‎10-26-2023

@toomuchstuffagain35 wrote:
I actually like the reply with offer. Especially now ebay has introduced this autopay on offers bleep.

I'd prefer they send me a message with an offer rather than using the "official" make an offer button as well.

So I understand your comment about message w/ offer to by-pass autopay, but turning it off solves that problem, and you are 100% in control of whether that feature is turned on or turned off on your listings.

Also, I think I understand what you mean by " I actually like Reply w/ Offer ... especially since autopay ..." but a buyer would have to, I believe, pre-pay to accept your offer you send them via reply w/ offer.

So, I see no benefits really since the entire feature is under your control.

Don't get me wrong, I do like "Reply w/ Offer" but that's usually for making sure the buyer gets the discount offer I'm already sending out to other buyers, or sending an offer to a buyer for a bulk order. (Say I have volume discount set up, but buyer wants a ton of these and I can offer a higher discount, I can go in and reply with offer and set the terms of Qty/Price.) That I like... but those are limited cases. I don't like the encouragement by eBay for buyers to try to negotiate on items that are intentionally presented to the buyer as non-negotiable.