Huge Mistake

[or_couture]

I've just made two huge mistakes so thought to share so others could avoid.

Both happened this weekend.

1. An international buyer reached out to me about a dress shirt. It was $495 with a markdown of $200 off. I agreed to do $195 and add direct shipping for $45 (I always use GSP). I adjusted the price, he said he would buy, he didn't buy. I msg him, never heard back, so changed the price again to $295. Day or two before that, I copy pasted a bunch of markdowns including $200 off. Back in the day, when you adjusted manually a price which was included in a current markdown, it would've ended the markdown on that price. But eBay changed it! I have the 'include items when they qualify' box ticked, so after I changed it to $295 a $200 markdown was applied to the item and the buyer got it for $95!

2. A buyer reached out about a set. It was $199 with a markdown of $50 to $149. I agreed to give another 10% off so we did $134. She then said she didn't know there are taxes (even though it's mentioned in the "shipping" tab) so I said fine, and I adjusted the price to $122 so it'll be $134 out the door. She said she would purchase, but she didn't. I forgot about it. The $50 markdown was applied so the price went down to $72 and someone just bought it.

Both are my mistakes so I'll obviously take responsibility and ship the items, but just thought to share. If you agree on a price and the buyer doesn't purchase don't forget to adjust it back! and don't forget a markdown could apply on an item even after you change the price, as opposed to before!

[wastingtime101]

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@or_couture wrote:

2. A buyer reached out about a set. It was $199 with a markdown of $50 to $149. I agreed to give another 10% off so we did $134. She then said she didn't know there are taxes (even though it's mentioned in the "shipping" tab) so I said fine, and I adjusted the price to $122 so it'll be $134 out the door.

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1. Thanks for the warning to be mindful about markdown sales.

2. Please don't negotiate your prices down over sales tax! Buyers will expect all sellers to do that!

[sin-n-dex]

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@or_couture wrote:

I've just made two huge mistakes so thought to share so others could avoid.

Both happened this weekend.

1. An international buyer reached out to me about a dress shirt. It was $495 with a markdown of $200 off. I agreed to do $195 and add direct shipping for $45 (I always use GSP). I adjusted the price, he said he would buy, he didn't buy. I msg him, never heard back, so changed the price again to $295. Day or two before that, I copy pasted a bunch of markdowns including $200 off. Back in the day, when you adjusted manually a price which was included in a current markdown, it would've ended the markdown on that price. But eBay changed it! I have the 'include items when they qualify' box ticked, so after I changed it to $295 a $200 markdown was applied to the item and the buyer got it for $95!

2. A buyer reached out about a set. It was $199 with a markdown of $50 to $149. I agreed to give another 10% off so we did $134. She then said she didn't know there are taxes (even though it's mentioned in the "shipping" tab) so I said fine, and I adjusted the price to $122 so it'll be $134 out the door. She said she would purchase, but she didn't. I forgot about it. The $50 markdown was applied so the price went down to $72 and someone just bought it.

Both are my mistakes so I'll obviously take responsibility and ship the items, but just thought to share. If you agree on a price and the buyer doesn't purchase don't forget to adjust it back! and don't forget a markdown could apply on an item even after you change the price, as opposed to before!

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If a buyer is reaching out in eBay messages and negotiating a price, once you agree, you can "send an offer" (the button appears above the message you are sending them) to give them your discounted price. Then you won't have to worry about all this adjusting, promotions and markdowns stuff that is causing you grief when your items end up selling too low.

When you send the offer to the buyer, they have a time limit to buy (48 hours I think), and then they lose out on that opportunity. Meanwhile your item sits in your store at full price (or marked down price) in the event someone else sees it and wants to buy it at your listed price.

C.

[or_couture]

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@sin-n-dex wrote:

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@or_couture wrote:

I've just made two huge mistakes so thought to share so others could avoid.

Both happened this weekend.

1. An international buyer reached out to me about a dress shirt. It was $495 with a markdown of $200 off. I agreed to do $195 and add direct shipping for $45 (I always use GSP). I adjusted the price, he said he would buy, he didn't buy. I msg him, never heard back, so changed the price again to $295. Day or two before that, I copy pasted a bunch of markdowns including $200 off. Back in the day, when you adjusted manually a price which was included in a current markdown, it would've ended the markdown on that price. But eBay changed it! I have the 'include items when they qualify' box ticked, so after I changed it to $295 a $200 markdown was applied to the item and the buyer got it for $95!

2. A buyer reached out about a set. It was $199 with a markdown of $50 to $149. I agreed to give another 10% off so we did $134. She then said she didn't know there are taxes (even though it's mentioned in the "shipping" tab) so I said fine, and I adjusted the price to $122 so it'll be $134 out the door. She said she would purchase, but she didn't. I forgot about it. The $50 markdown was applied so the price went down to $72 and someone just bought it.

Both are my mistakes so I'll obviously take responsibility and ship the items, but just thought to share. If you agree on a price and the buyer doesn't purchase don't forget to adjust it back! and don't forget a markdown could apply on an item even after you change the price, as opposed to before!

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If a buyer is reaching out in eBay messages and negotiating a price, once you agree, you can "send an offer" (the button appears above the message you are sending them) to give them your discounted price. Then you won't have to worry about all this adjusting, promotions and markdowns stuff that is causing you grief when your items end up selling too low.

When you send the offer to the buyer, they have a time limit to buy (48 hours I think), and then they lose out on that opportunity. Meanwhile your item sits in your store at full price (or marked down price) in the event someone else sees it and wants to buy it at your listed price.

C.

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Thanks C. I am aware of best offer to send in the first private msg. However, I don't use it since all my items are buy it now with immediate payment required. I tried it before and had few non paying buyers - then you need to handle all the non paid cases etc (yes, I know you can open a non paid case automatically). I just prefer to say "price has been adjusted, please add the item to your cart and complete checkout" than having him/her commit to buy an item they will never purchase..

[mam98031]

WAIT, this is VERY important.  And like you, I'd like to know when this changed.  This is extremely important to all sellers that use the markdown manager.

@Anonymous 

tyler@ebay 

brian@ebay 

[wastingtime101]

It changed when markdown manager was de-activated and promotions manager sales and events took its place. When was that - 2 years ago? A lot of the functionality was altered.

First the OP changed the price manually to their markdown price instead of to their original list price. Second the OP had the box checked on their sale page "include skipped items when they qualify". These actions combined caused the low prices.

To avoid the deep discounts the OP would need to have either adjusted their listing to their original price or unchecked the include skipped items box. Either one of these actions would have prevented their unfortunate situation.

[2015mhfashions]

Absolutely agree with point 2, same as the entitled partial refunds buyers, why on earth do sellers bend over backwards to give money away ?

[cashvaluerecovery2011]

Mam this was a sneaky extra added in 2017 if i remember right. Take note that every stealth change you never hear about hurts the seller and takes away options once had.

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@or_couture wrote:

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@sin-n-dex wrote:

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If a buyer is reaching out in eBay messages and negotiating a price, once you agree, you can "send an offer" (the button appears above the message you are sending them) to give them your discounted price. Then you won't have to worry about all this adjusting, promotions and markdowns stuff that is causing you grief when your items end up selling too low.

When you send the offer to the buyer, they have a time limit to buy (48 hours I think), and then they lose out on that opportunity. Meanwhile your item sits in your store at full price (or marked down price) in the event someone else sees it and wants to buy it at your listed price.

C.

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Thanks C. I am aware of best offer to send in the first private msg. However, I don't use it since all my items are buy it now with immediate payment required. I tried it before and had few non paying buyers - then you need to handle all the non paid cases etc (yes, I know you can open a non paid case automatically). I just prefer to say "price has been adjusted, please add the item to your cart and complete checkout" than having him/her commit to buy an item they will never purchase..

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Another way to do this is to create a private coupon link through Promotions Manager.

Create a "Codeless Coupon" in PM for the item(s) that you want to discount for your buyer. You can then send the link to your buyer ... Nobody else will get the discount.

You can create the coupon to include only one item, a few items ... all the way up to all of your items.

You can set it to expire in 1 Day all the way up to 2 years (I think).

It can be for a % or a $ amount and can have rules attached (must buy 3 or must spend $50)

[moo*cow*corner]

The codeless coupon information is welcome. Thanks!

I do my markdowns in the exact same manner as the OP. I got tired of doing all the work to close a sale, and then they never pay.

When I send the final message that I have edited my listing to reflect our agreed upon price, I also add a blurb that says this: "The discounted price will be available to anyone who sees the ad. You may want to purchase quickly, so you don't lose out on the great deal!"

[penguins_dont_fly]

@moo*cow*corner 

I have used it when a buyer BINs an Item and then realizes I have more of that item/pattern but won't get the auto-discount for multiples because of IPR.

I have also sent coupon links as a "Thank You" to buyers that have bought a bunch of one pattern but may not have seen the other pieces that I have 😉

[penguins_dont_fly]

I also belong to a lot of pottery and glass groups.

I can create an "Exclusive sale" for members of that group by creating a coupon link and posting it to their Facebook page or forums (if it is allowed, of course)

[mam98031]

@wastingtime101 

It changed when markdown manager was de-activated and promotions manager sales and events took its place. When was that - 2 years ago? A lot of the functionality was altered.

What do you mean by "de-activated"?  I use the markdown manager on a regular basis without issue.  And if I have the need to change the pricing on something I have in a currently running sale, the discount for the markdown manager sale has ALWAYS disappeared.

First the OP changed the price manually to their markdown price instead of to their original list price.

How do you do that?

Second the OP had the box checked on their sale page "include skipped items when they qualify". These actions combined caused the low prices.

Oh, I have always selected the items I want in my sale.  I've never used the qualifying perimeters.

[Anonymous]

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@or_couture wrote:

I've just made two huge mistakes so thought to share so others could avoid.

Both happened this weekend.

1. An international buyer reached out to me about a dress shirt. It was $495 with a markdown of $200 off. I agreed to do $195 and add direct shipping for $45 (I always use GSP). I adjusted the price, he said he would buy, he didn't buy. I msg him, never heard back, so changed the price again to $295. Day or two before that, I copy pasted a bunch of markdowns including $200 off. Back in the day, when you adjusted manually a price which was included in a current markdown, it would've ended the markdown on that price. But eBay changed it! I have the 'include items when they qualify' box ticked, so after I changed it to $295 a $200 markdown was applied to the item and the buyer got it for $95!

2. A buyer reached out about a set. It was $199 with a markdown of $50 to $149. I agreed to give another 10% off so we did $134. She then said she didn't know there are taxes (even though it's mentioned in the "shipping" tab) so I said fine, and I adjusted the price to $122 so it'll be $134 out the door. She said she would purchase, but she didn't. I forgot about it. The $50 markdown was applied so the price went down to $72 and someone just bought it.

Both are my mistakes so I'll obviously take responsibility and ship the items, but just thought to share. If you agree on a price and the buyer doesn't purchase don't forget to adjust it back! and don't forget a markdown could apply on an item even after you change the price, as opposed to before!

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Hi @or_couture, can you provide a screenshot of the options as you see them today so I can better find more information for @mam98031?

[ryanrobyn]

this is why I don't used markdown but just manually change the price