How best to handle requests for discounts

[mirror-in-the-attic]

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[slippinjimmy]

I don't use Best Offer, I don't discount my listed selling prices.

If a potential buyer asks for a discount I tell them my prices are firm but I can offer a substantial discount on the SHIPPING but only if they purchase multiple items. If they message me more than once on this topic I do not make further replies.

I notice you have Best Offer on some of your listings, that is basically telling people your prices are flexible.

[kensgiftshop]

I don't do offers or give discounts.

I tell buyers that the listed price is my best price.

They can either buy or move on.

[mirror-in-the-attic]

I do, for those that haven’t many comps, (or the comps are ridiculously high)  I do know, as a buyer, if I see best offer, I’m going to ask for less than the asking.  So, maybe I’ll reconsider doing it at all.

[kensgiftshop]

I'm just the opposite.

When I see best offer, I know they already raised the price to make up for their best offer, so I look another seller.

[ebooksdiva]

How do I handle requests for discounts?

I don't accept discount requests. If a buyer doesn't like what I charge they can move along.

[richard1rst]

"We believe our prices are fair as they are. They are not open to negotiation."

ABSOLUTE end of discoussion

Now, if they are talking about a SHIPPING discount on MULTIPLE orders I will recalculate the shipping (only) and offer my best shipping price. This applies primarily to international buyers.

[sin-n-dex]

Discounts are an economic decision... so sob stories don't factor in whether or not I give a discount. I give all discounts equally, so no one person will get a better discount than the next if I give one at all.

How good a discount depends on how long it's been sitting around, how badly I want to see it go, how much room it's taking on my shelf at the shop, how much the markup is already... and then I make an economic decision for business related reasons.

C.

[reallynicestamps]

I use Best Offer on all my listings, with parameters so that lowball offers are automatically rejected and acceptable offers are automatically, ummm, accepted.

There is a small gap between those two prices and I do see those offers. Then I can check how long the listing has been up (and in my categories that can be years and years) and decide if I would rather have the sale than the product.

I also use Make an Offer on some listings with recent Views, again mostly longtail stock, but find that is not very useful.

It's business, not personal.

The only time I get enquiries is when the customer is in a country I do not specify shipping to, like the person today who asked about shipping cost for Singapore. That's the first enquiry I've had in two or three months.

If getting Offers annoys you, set up Best Offer with the Reject price at a penny below your Asking. The customer is not going to be any more annoyed than they were by being personally rejected.

And you never see the Offer.

[mtgraves7984]

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@mirror-in-the-attic 

^^^ That's the way I'd handle them, too.

[reich-stamps]

In general:

If it's reasonable,   I make the sale.

If it's close,   I barter or counter offer.

If it's stupid low,  I ignore.   

I assumed the OP was asking about potential buyers sending a message 

asking for a better price rather than using "Best offer"

We're all here to make sales.    Bartering has been going on since 

mankind has existed.   It's simply 

another version of doing business, which a seller can choose to 

not participate.   

[lakefor94]

I am in this deal to move product and make money. I have something you need, let's talk. 

I don't care if it is 7pm and I am on the back porch enjoying a beverage with the wifey, I can pick up the tablet and type in a response. Ain't no trouble, especially in this day and age. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

Some of us see Ebay as a retail site, and are no more likely to take an offer than Walmart is.

Some see Ebay as a boot sale or flea market or a stall in a souk, and will barter and haggle.

Some buyers definitely see Ebay as the bottom level of retail and deserve to have their insulting offers ignored.

The unsolicited offers I turn down mean forgoing profit that I can make if I am patient. I trust in my pricing. If I lose faith, I run a sale and given normal human beings a crack at the savings as well of lower lifeforms.

[adamcartwright]

@lakefor94 

Exactly. I try to keep things moving and money coming in. 

If I want to bring in new inventory, I have to move the old.

I'm not in this to hang onto items for a year or more.  I don't have the storage space, for one.

[janet9988]

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@mirror-in-the-attic wrote:

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If someone messaged me with "this page intentionally  left blank"

I would answer back with the same..... "this page intentionally left blank"

Just move on.