Send a watcher an offer???? Clarification?

[dhbookds]

@Anonymous

On this video......

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/videos/222851305076068/

about 6 minutes in, Jennifer mentions sending offers to watchers......seemingly from Seller Hub or the listing itself.........  I've searched and can't find anything about it.....some of the comments indicate some people have found it, others haven't.....can you get any info about it?  Test? altho she seemed to say it was a tool everyone could use.  Didn't sound like she meant sending an offer from  the email from ebay that was going around for while.......

thanks

[escuintla]

The issue here will be when you send the offer to 2-3+ buyers. They may get excited, and try to buy the item from you, just to see it sold because they were late to get online. It can cause more than one headache since buyers will feel betrayed by you. 

Besides that, I just want to edit an item, click edit more items or whatever, and return to the editing page, not to my Ebay page or so. 

Ebay is full of so many glitches, one more is coming, and you are asking for it. 

[iamonourside]

This is too rich!

Immediately adjacent to posts in this thread, are posts in the thread, "Seller sent me an unsolicited offer for her item, but I've never even contacted her about the item."

 https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Seller-sent-me-an-unsolicited-offer-for-her-item-but-I-ve-neve...

eBay sends the offers to the watchers with NO indication to the buyer that the offer was sent to them anonymously - so the buyer thinks the sellers now know their name whenever they watch an item.

"Tests" are poorly thought out, half witted implementation! I agree with @my-cottage-books-and-antiques post #54 rail against ebay for never announcing these tests to the seller community.

@Anonymous! My suggestion: How about checking to know that the buyers involved know what is going on.

[Anonymous]

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@iamonourside wrote:

This is too rich!

Immediately adjacent to posts in this thread, are posts in the thread, "Seller sent me an unsolicited offer for her item, but I've never even contacted her about the item."

 https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Seller-sent-me-an-unsolicited-offer-for-her-item-but-I-ve-neve...

eBay sends the offers to the watchers with NO indication to the buyer that the offer was sent to them anonymously - so the buyer thinks the sellers now know their name whenever they watch an item.

"Tests" are poorly thought out, half witted implementation! I agree with @my-cottage-books-and-antiques post #54 rail against ebay for never announcing these tests to the seller community.

@Anonymous! My suggestion: How about checking to know that the buyers involved know what is going on.

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Hi @iamonourside, the email the buyer receives states that eBay sent this message on behalf of the seller and also clarifies that others could buy the item before the buyer has time to review the offer and make the purchase. Definitely keep us in the loop if you see any other conversations about this topic!

[goldguy22k]

I posted about this in another section and was promptly told that it was impossible, I could only make an offer if a seller sent me an email.

Here is what it looks like, for those that might be wondering.

[superdavevintage]

Hi! Why do the same items I already did yesterday show up, but I cannot get to others unless I cycle through these again. Is there a way to pick the items you want to send vs. the few items listed on the summary screen view? Thank you! I'm just not seeing it. 

[goldguy22k]

Not sure i understand the question.

For a listing to show up on that "list" on the My Ebay screen it has to meet the criteria:

1. Have a BO as part of the listing

2. Have someone watching the listing

3.  Have been listed for 10-days

4.  Be a single item, not a multiple item listing

Then to select the one listing one wishes to make an offer to,  just click the blue button "send offer".

Or is what you are saying, that once one makes an offer, the item is still on the opening page?  Are you sure those items didn't pick up new watchers since you sent the first offer, and thus making the listing "eligible" again for an offer to more potential buyers?

[dhbookds]

Not everyone has it yet........  Better Half does, but I don't.........

[goldguy22k]

I just did a Test.  I made an offer on one of the items on that list, as shown in My Ebay >Sell.

Once I made the offer I refreshed the screen and indeed the item that I sent the offer out, well that item was no longer on the list!

Then I had a buddy, go to that item and add it to his watch list.  Once that was done, I refreshed the screen expecting the item to show up again and in fact it was not there and did not "come back" after a new watcher showed up!  So perhaps it is a "one & done" thing?  Once ebay adds it to your list, where you can make an offer, that is it, additional watchers won't get the "deal" or the intrusion, however they look at it!

If something else happens I'll report back

Hope this helps!

Sure wish someone would suggest some language on how to approach buyers, since so many would see this as "spam" an irritant or annoyance. Thanks in advance for any help!

[dcintennessee]

@goldguy22k, I have the capability, and this is the message I sent with offers: 

“Hi, there is a new eBay feature where I can send an offer price to people watching my listings. I don't know who you are, but eBay does! Please consider this xx% discount, and I'll be happy to get it headed your way.”

I don’t know whether any sales have resulted, but I think it’s a great feature...with the same concerns others have expressed. Buyers should be able to opt-out, and shouldn’t get more than one offer on the same listing. 

I think a watcher has to have been watching the item for a certain number of days before they’re eligible for you to send an offer. 

I can’t  agree with those bashing eBay for offering this capability. Yes, we need more info. Yes, there needs to be a wider announcement that it’s LEGIT. Like most/all new capabilities, it’s in limited release, to allow time to see what kinks need to be worked out. 

[goldguy22k]

Thank you @dcintennessee   !!!  Always seem to get great replies from you!  Much appreciated!

I like the part about, "I don't know who you are but ebay does!"

After seeing the reaction here, thought perhaps something along the lines of:

Hope this is not an unwanted intrusion?

as a start might be appropriate?

Also interested in the comment about a seller needs to have been watching an item for a certain time period before it shows up on the list.  Did I miss something in an announcement or one of these threads?

I wonder if the AI they are using also "filters" OUT competitors or better TARGETS those who have bought a similar items before or like AZN does, "knows" from your buying pattern and the patterns of others, what you are likely to buy?

Guess we should be honored to be chosen to beta test this program.

Thanks again!

[goldguy22k]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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Hi @dhbookds, we are working on getting more info for everyone. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you guys think about this feature. Would you use it? What concerns would you have? Do you have any specific ideas on how this would be best implemented? Definitely let us know and we can pass along feedback while we get more details!

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@Anonymous

Here are my thoughts so far, we'll see how the offers I made play out and then perhaps will have additional thoughts.

1.  Don't know if ebay uses AI to "screen" or select which watchers are able to receive these offers, but as a Seller, I'd like to know.  Is it just any watcher?  Sure would like to see competitors who are just price comparing EXCLUDED from this.  Also is eBay using any of the watcher's past history to include them in the program?  You know, as I mentioned above, the "likely to buy" stuff ur competitor uses to show you a list of "Here are some other things you might like?"  What can you share as to the selection criteria?

2.  Need some clarification on how the "buying" works.  If someone accepts my offer, one made through a watch list offer, is the listing "dead" or can I still get a BO from another buyer.  From what I understand under normal BO situation, two, three or more BOs could come in at once and I can chose the best, or the best one for me.    Also I understand that if there is more than one watcher who gets an offer, and one accepts such then the first one "wins."  If I have not accepted said offer it it still possible to receive another offer or how about if someone pays the BIN price.  What if I am considering a BO that is outside of the offer I made through a watch list offer, do I get to choose who wins, or does the "watcher BO" acceptance win?

3.  What are "the rules" for the buyer to pay? They have 48 hours to accept the offer or it expires, but how long do they have to pay?  How soon until we can file an UIC and get the item back on the market?  Seems like if I were a devious competitor, I could accept one of these offers, drag out the payment for a while, especially during the busy holiday season, and reduce my competition? Maybe my thinking is too granular?

4. As OP noted is there a length of time a person need to have been a watcher before I can make a "watcher BO?" (wBO)  I see that only a few on my listing that have watchers, showed up on that list where I could make an offer.  Again, selection criteria?

5. Would like to see ebay have the announcements and guidance and training in place BEFORE launching a program.  But I suspect that is an internal frustration many of y'all have?

6. Yes, I like the idea, if it is focused.  I have taken it for a spin on a few items so we'll see how it turns out!

My apologies if any of this has been stated, I'll go study the thread again.  Thanks for any insight you can provide!

[Anonymous]

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@goldguy22k wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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Hi @dhbookds, we are working on getting more info for everyone. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you guys think about this feature. Would you use it? What concerns would you have? Do you have any specific ideas on how this would be best implemented? Definitely let us know and we can pass along feedback while we get more details!

@Anonymous

Here are my thoughts so far, we'll see how the offers I made play out and then perhaps will have additional thoughts.

1.  Don't know if ebay uses AI to "screen" or select which watchers are able to receive these offers, but as a Seller, I'd like to know.  Is it just any watcher?  Sure would like to see competitors who are just price comparing EXCLUDED from this.  Also is eBay using any of the watcher's past history to include them in the program?  You know, as I mentioned above, the "likely to buy" stuff ur competitor uses to show you a list of "Here are some other things you might like?"  What can you share as to the selection criteria?

2.  Need some clarification on how the "buying" works.  If someone accepts my offer, one made through a watch list offer, is the listing "dead" or can I still get a BO from another buyer.  From what I understand under normal BO situation, two, three or more BOs could come in at once and I can chose the best, or the best one for me.    Also I understand that if there is more than one watcher who gets an offer, and one accepts such then the first one "wins."  If I have not accepted said offer it it still possible to receive another offer or how about if someone pays the BIN price.  What if I am considering a BO that is outside of the offer I made through a watch list offer, do I get to choose who wins, or does the "watcher BO" acceptance win?

3.  What are "the rules" for the buyer to pay? They have 48 hours to accept the offer or it expires, but how long do they have to pay?  How soon until we can file an UIC and get the item back on the market?  Seems like if I were a devious competitor, I could accept one of these offers, drag out the payment for a while, especially during the busy holiday season, and reduce my competition? Maybe my thinking is too granular?

4. As OP noted is there a length of time a person need to have been a watcher before I can make a "watcher BO?" (wBO)  I see that only a few on my listing that have watchers, showed up on that list where I could make an offer.  Again, selection criteria?

5. Would like to see ebay have the announcements and guidance and training in place BEFORE launching a program.  But I suspect that is an internal frustration many of y'all have?

6. Yes, I like the idea, if it is focused.  I have taken it for a spin on a few items so we'll see how it turns out!

My apologies if any of this has been stated, I'll go study the thread again.  Thanks for any insight you can provide!

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Hi @goldguy22k, 

1. This would just go to 10 most recent watchers at this time.

2. When the seller sends an offer and the buyer accepts it, the listing is done. The buyer can counteroffer or decline, or let the offer expire as with any other offer.

3. The rules would be the same for any offer that has been accepted - an unpaid item case can be opened after 2 days have passed without payment. If you experience this kind of calculated interference with your business, please do not hesitate to report this for review.

4. No length of time is needed for someone to have been watching, only that the listing have been on the site for 5 days or more.

5. Often times when testing out a new feature an announcement or training will alter the data we can gather from the test and make it more challenging to create necessary adjustments or gauge the impact of features we release.

6. Love that you love the idea! Seller initiated offers is something we've been asked to provide for quite some time and it is really exciting to be able to start offering an option for this!

Let me know if there is anything else!

[turquoisetulips]

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@myjunqueyourtreasure wrote:
Don't know where it is and not going to look.

Way to annoy potential buyers ever more than they already do.

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I've been seeing that option on my sellers page lately . They're asking me to send an offer  to people who have my items on their watch lists . However most of my listings are BIN or best offer  already available . If potentional buyers want to get a better price  then all they need to do is  send in an offer . I really see no need to pester  anyone  . I'd like to make more sales the same as everyone else ,,   but I don't want to seem pushy or desperate . Tulips 

[escuintla]

I know I am going to get some posters mad or happy, whichever route you want to take, I didn't read most responses, but Ebay should put this thingy as a feature, automatically, and give sellers an opt out.  Let's get it over with.

But, as a seller, I get annoyed when I get the "oh, look it here!, such and such item was discounted 20% or to $xx.xx".

Jesus! I was doing a price comparison to sell another item like that one. 

Please, leave me alone, will ya? 

[dcintennessee]

Hi, @my-cottage-books-and-antiques! Now that the Send Offer to Watchers is live (for some sellers), have you gotten any offers? Was your Research List protetected from getting offers? I did finally figure out how to move items from my Watch list to a Research list, but not directly from the listing as you have/had been doing. I tried in three browsers, with the same result - can't do it from the listing. My way required creating a sub-watch list that I simply named "Research." I think it serves no purpose other than to organize items watched.