Sending offers

[debvor]

I have sent 53 offers to potential buyers in the week or so. This was done through Ebay's offer process. Of the 53 exactly 1 was accepted. Absolutely no counter offers. When I do this I usually discount the item by half and  some by 40%. Statistically that does not compute. What could possibly the reason that more people aren't accepting these offers? Bad economy? I don't think so because why would they be watching an item unless they were interested?  I have had potential buyers in the past message me and say that when they tried to accept my offer Ebay told them that I don't ship to their area. These were all in the United States. I, of course, ship every where in the US and most place worldwide through Global Shipping program. What are other potential reasons that these offers not being accepted? Ebay has gotten the nick name "Glitch Bay" because of the numerous glitches on the site. Maybe people aren't even getting the offers. Maybe when they try to accept Ebay won't let them. You know the old pop up message "Oops it's not you it's us". I have looked at similar items that I have listed and there seems to be a whole lot of ridiculously low prices for items that were selling for hundreds of dollars. Why is that? Could it be the economy? The price of goods at Walmart hasn't gone down but in fact they have gone up. Maybe it's those stupid sites Ebay offer to research pricing. Are they suggesting people sell for stupid prices???? Maybe it's Ebay's horrible search engine. I have searched for old collectibles and gotten a majority of new items most unrelated to my search. I don't know what the answer is but I do know Ebay doesn't have the answer. 

[ebooksdiva]

Those send offers to "interested buyers" are only active for about 24 hours. Most buyers don't even see it until it has expired. Or they just ignore it. 

I don't bother with those as they are basically a waste of time for me.

[heckofagame]

Whoa! Take a breath. 

Not everyone that is watching an item is salivating to buy something.

Sometimes they watch because they MIGHT be interested and will go do some price checks before they commit. 

Some people do not accept offer messages, so they are not even seeing them.

The economy is definitely a factor. If it is not an essential, it may remain on that watch list. 

And yes, eBay does, to some extent, encourage ridiculously low prices. They have always promoted the idea of getting it cheaper on eBay. 

[southern*sweet*tea]

As a buyer, I would probably never see your offer.  I never look at Ebay unless I want to buy something here.  I rarely check my email associated with my buyer account.  I buy something and I'm done until the next time, then I look on Ebay again.   That may be months later, long after any offer would have expired.

[keziak]

I thought that many watchers are actually other sellers watching to see how one's listings are doing. 

I was having pretty good success with sending offers but only for, at most, a few dollars off. It ebbed off though and I don't get around to sending offers very often.

I was not aware the offers only lasted 24 hours. 

[simba6]

In most cases if the watcher wanted to buy the item, they would have done so already.   So, they are not watching to buy. Often to just see if it selles and for how much.  Could have one like to to sell themselves.

[m60driver]

Sending offers is always hit or miss.  But yea, only having one offer accepted out of 53 sent  is indeed a pretty dismal response rate. And I usually only discount about 20% and only allow counter offers when I have the wiggle room to do so.  Others may be selling low due to the economy and a need for cash flow.  I have dropped many prices, especially on old inventory that I am just trying to turn into cash as sales slow down, slowing down to what I believe is a combination of both economic factors and Ebay ineptitude. 

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

I believe offers sent by sellers to buyers are good for 48 hours.  

[southern*sweet*tea]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

I believe offers sent by sellers to buyers are good for 48 hours.  

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Unless the item "expires" before that 48 hours is up.  The offer doesn't carry over when a GTC is automatically relisted.

[chapeau-noir]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

I believe offers sent by sellers to buyers are good for 48 hours.  

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That was my understanding.  I find offers to be hit or miss, also, with about a 25% take-up rate.  It's just a tool in the toolbox but nothing I depend on too much.  I do get notes from my buyers periodically thanking me for the offer, so they've got my item on their watch list for possible purchase.  Since another site where I sell is a lot of haggling I'm pretty used to this, but also used to it not being by any means an infallible sales tactic.  It would be nice if it was!  

[keziak]

I was inspired to get caught up and left everyone offers. Got a counter for a half-way decent amount so I took it. Not booking my flight to Cabo though. No response to offers I sent on two really pricey books but I really think those watchers are probably other sellers.

[djvp53]

I try to be competitively priced and don't rely on offers. When I've made them, I've rarely gotten any response. Twice, I made offers to watchers and got full price buyers before the offer even expired.

[evry1nositswindy]

As a seller, I have had no luck with sending offers.  As a buyer, if it's an item I intend to buy, I accept them.  Sometimes I watch an item for pricing or for a future date, so I ignore offers on those items. 

[siriguana]

I tend to not believe that. Anyone on ebay can check past sells of any item anytime they want. Why would anyone watch anything for 30-90 days to see if it sells . The option to search past sells is open to everyone at anytime.

[redlinear]

@debvor 
 
I notice no difference in acceptance if my discount is huge, or miniscule/almost non-existent.  And I mean NO difference in the amount of accepted offers.

So, usually all my offers are 10% and I only send them as sort of a reminder. In case somebody just forgot to come back and purchase.
I also only send offers once a week.   Around noon on Friday.