Things that make you go "hmmmm"

[dtexley3]

This is clipped from response I made in a different thread, but I was wondering if others had seen similar behavior lately:

I've noticed a new interesting trend on items that have multiple watchers and "Best Offer" enabled.  I'll receive an offer (usually a low ball) and regardless of whether I decline it or let it sit, within a couple hours I either get an offer from a different buyer or the item sells full price.  Previously I never received multiple offers at the same time on a single item.  In the last 3 weeks it's happened 4 or 5 times.  The thing that makes me wonder is the short timeframe ie < 12 hours from start to finish.

I'm wondering if eBay is trying out a message to watchers that another buyer has "made an offer" on an item they are watching.    If so, this one actually benefits me as a seller, it pushed the prices higher.  Since this resulted in more profit for me and eBay. 

Now of course I'm sure if this is being done and it's successful it will be stopped asap.

[luckythewinner]

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@dtexley3 wrote:

I'm wondering if eBay is trying out a message to watchers that another buyer has "made an offer" on an item they are watching

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At any given time I am watching at least 25 items, and I have never received a message like that.  

If I did, the first thing I would do is go look for way to turn them off. 

[fern*wood]

Maybe they noticed you had an offer and it prompted them to do something.

[ed8108]

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@dtexley3 wrote: 

Now of course I'm sure if this is being done and it's successful it will be stopped asap.

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If something works well, double check yourself to make sure you are on ebay .

[ymeagainlord]

I vaguely recall seeing listings that showed they had offers, but can't remember seeing that for a long time now.

[dtexley3]

I didn't know you could see that an offer had been made.

I do receive a fair number of offers on an ongoing basis, the anomoly was multiple offers on the same items by widely spread buyers.

[dtexley3]

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@ed8108 wrote:

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@dtexley3 wrote: 

Now of course I'm sure if this is being done and it's successful it will be stopped asap.

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If something works well, double check yourself to make sure you are on ebay .

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Yes, I did double check they were from eBay.. hehehe.

[Anonymous]

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@dtexley3 wrote:
I've noticed a new interesting trend on items that have multiple watchers and "Best Offer" enabled.  I'll receive an offer (usually a low ball) and regardless of whether I decline it or let it sit, within a couple hours I either get an offer from a different buyer or the item sells full price.  Previously I never received multiple offers at the same time on a single item.  In the last 3 weeks it's happened 4 or 5 times.  The thing that makes me wonder is the short timeframe ie < 12 hours from start to finish.

I'm wondering if eBay is trying out a message to watchers that another buyer has "made an offer" on an item they are watching.    If so, this one actually benefits me as a seller, it pushed the prices higher.  Since this resulted in more profit for me and eBay.

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That kind of message is possible- eBay loves its spam.

It may not be your watchers who are buying. Receiving an offer is positive buyer engagement which can give your listing a boost in search. The quick action of additional offers or sales at BIN price could be from a better search placement resulting in new viewers.

[Anonymous]

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@ymeagainlord wrote:
I vaguely recall seeing listings that showed they had offers, but can't remember seeing that for a long time now.

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I see that in the  pop-up box when I make an offer. I don't see it on the listing page.

[phono_0490xxxxxx]

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@dtexley3 wrote:
....

I'm wondering if eBay is trying out a message to watchers that another buyer has "made an offer" on an item they are watching.    If so, this one actually benefits me as a seller, it pushed the prices higher.  Since this resulted in more profit for me and eBay. 

......

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From my location view [using ebay.com.au] as a buyer, the 'Auction' format with seller added 'Best Offer'  did have a notation at the top of the listing page telling if an offer had been made [pending seller or buyer response to an offer placed] for all to see.

This appears to have changed recently.

The Summary page also had a section below 'Bidding' title/list, being 'Offers' [buyer view only].

Once an offer had been made a details page was available for the buyer that showed 'offer history' that included offers, counter offers and pending status of any offers... could show declined.  No prices stated from other buyers.

I presume this hasn't changed. 

Frankly, I rarely use this function and have a distaste for tacky gutter sniping haggling.

This 'eBay applied Make Offer' innovation hasn't infected the ebay.com.au site... yet.

I had a quick look through a category I buy in prior to posting this and found mostly BIN listings.. very few had 'Make Offer' attached.. and none of the Auction format had it.

I don't have any 'Auction' format listings in watch list to check them... deleted a large quantity a couple of days ago.  Ha, mostly completed listings there now - low to no interest in buying now. 

So it goes.

Anyhow, this notation is a marketing tactic, a psychological trick creating a sense of URGENCY ... it's saying hurry up man, you might loose it.    Ha ha... as if anyone 'had it' by watching... some fools. 

Some fall for it, I consider it a form of high pressure sales nagging = repulsive.

It looks like changes are underway for sure with this MO trickery. 

I'd say that notation stuff will re-appear soon enough. Can you imagine a sharp tools like 'pester power' and air of 'urgency' would be put back in the kit, as if it doesn't cut any more.

BUT, how it comes back will be interesting.

So... Will a pending offer allow other buyers to get into an undisclosed bidding war behind the scene, exploited by a seller who counter offers between the bidders like a grubby Real Estate Agent does with pre-auction offers... that lead to a seller increasing a listings start price?  

If so this will be a huge turn off... easy to turn away.   I know I'm not alone in this view.

How does that reckon in with the other 'inovations' like gradually regressive listing start pricing eBay are suggesting will be great for sales turnover? 

[phono_0490xxxxxx]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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That kind of message is possible- eBay loves its spam. < Hmmmm, it's a marketing ploy different to 'spam'. It has an insidious psychological element to it. 

One thing for sure, I'll be turning OFF notifications if I start getting 'Hurry up, an offer has been made' emails in future.

It may not be your watchers who are buying. < Is there room for an 'offers' status note in my watch list for every item?  Pretty small space there. If not, an offer made note is only known if I visit the listing page.

Receiving an offer is positive buyer engagement which can give your listing a boost in search. < Hmmm, it's a bit subjective... some don't take kindly to 'push' and haggling can be a dirty negative experience for the seller and buyer.... that what I see on these boards.

Is there a plan to promote listings with active 'offer' haggling? 

Pretty short time frame that... and if so, won't that alienate sellers who don't use 'offer' by pushing their listings out of prominent view? 

The quick action of additional offers or sales at BIN price could be from a better search placement resulting in new viewers. < Hmmm... as above, is this a planned element of the 'Make Offer' scheme?  Who knows?

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I look at this from a buyers perspective.

Not everyone enjoys the high pressure salesman, mate.

I also see the skepticism of sellers regarding this 'Make Offer' scheme, especially the option to have ebay automatically reduce listing price as the end of listing day approaches.