eBay

northernscribe · ‎06-20-2017

I listed a collectible item a couple of months ago. Someone messaged me asking if I'd be willing to sell for the original cost of the item (about 20% of what I was asking based on going rates). Which is just ridiculous.

The msg was very polite, basically asking if is be willing to sell for the original cost of the item. Which, no, I was not.

i added them to my blocked list since it just didn't feel right.

Well, I just got an almost identical email about the same item from someone with a brand new account.

Is this leading to some sort of scam? Or is this person just trying their luck? There is no "best offer" option so this person is messaging me directly.

deep-garnet-red · ‎06-20-2017

20% isn't all that out of line. I've had worse offers lol.

mam98031 · ‎06-20-2017

I listed a collectible item a couple of months ago. Someone messaged me asking if I'd be willing to sell for the original cost of the item (about 20% of what I was asking based on going rates). Which is just ridiculous.

The msg was very polite, basically asking if is be willing to sell for the original cost of the item. Which, no, I was not.

Don't get too worried about this. It happens to me from time to time as well. Some buyers are just trying to get the best deal they can. Sometimes they think we get everything we sell for free or that we have this enormous mark up on the items that will allow for an 80% discount.

For me, when they are as polite as you stated, I just send them a polite and professional note back. I say something like: Thank you for your interest in my items. However I do not accept best offers nor is my listing set up to accept best offers. I appreciate your interest, but the price is as stated on the listing. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.

i added them to my blocked list since it just didn't feel right.

Not necessarily needed at this time. They were respectful, but the sheer fact they sent you an offer should cause such a reaction by you. BUT you have every right to put them on your BBL if you feel that is appropriate.

Well, I just got an almost identical email about the same item from someone with a brand new account.

Could be an issue. I'd be hard pressed to think this was not a coincidence. Your intial feeling may very well have been correct. If it were me, I'd send the same type email as I suggested above to them too and put them on my BBL.

Is this leading to some sort of scam?

I don't know what kind of scam this could be.

Or is this person just trying their luck?

It is likely that is what they are doing.

There is no "best offer" option so this person is messaging me directly.

There isn't anything wrong with a buyer messaging you. Even without a Best Offer button, some buyers just feel free to do this whenever they want. It actually use to be against the Ebay rules for a buyer to submit a best offer on a listing that did not offer the option for a best offer. But Ebay changed that and now is mute on the subject.

mam98031 • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1999

7606dennis · ‎06-20-2017

Frankly, I would have blocked them myself, although not because the offer was low, but rather because they made an offer when the Best Offer option was not offered.

It wasn't too long ago that eBay considered such an offer as an attempt to engage in an off-site transaction. Now they seem to consider it okay, but if I don't include the option why would someone think I want to entertain such offers. I mean, I would put the option in if I wanted to, now wouldn't I?

It seems that eBay, by doing 180's on some of their policies, is creating more problems for themselves and the sellers. Now we see threads about eBay warning people about not giving out contact info in messages and not doing off-eBay transactions. Talk about sending mixed messages!

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

lex-talon · ‎06-21-2017

@northernscribe wrote:
I listed a collectible item a couple of months ago. Someone messaged me asking if I'd be willing to sell for the original cost of the item (about 20% of what I was asking based on going rates). Which is just ridiculous.
The msg was very polite, basically asking if is be willing to sell for the original cost of the item. Which, no, I was not.
i added them to my blocked list since it just didn't feel right.

Well, I just got an almost identical email about the same item from someone with a brand new account.

Is this leading to some sort of scam? Or is this person just trying their luck? There is no "best offer" option so this person is messaging me directly.

I've received two "low ball" offers a few days ago. Buyers who send very low offers tend to be resellers or collectors who want to fish for bargains. Even if your listings are bin with no "best offer" option, some buyers will try to offer you a ridiculous price for your item. If a buyer persists, I either raise the price or place them on my BBL.

retrose1 · ‎06-21-2017

The buyer is just trying again with a different id. And you should thank him for doing it, because if he buys you can call ebay CS and read them the policy about buyers using different ids to circumvent your block and have them cancel the transaction and violate the buyers accounts.

I would be so tempted to tell them that if they want the item at original cost, they should go to the store and buy it at that price.

Can you imagine the response many posters here would send if they listed their Fantastic Four #1 on ebay and some buyer asked if they could purchase it for the original cover price?

(*Bleep*)