eBay

iamalwaysright · ‎10-03-2022

I don't have OBO in my listings. I don't accept any offers, that's why I don't have OBO. I've been getting buyers message me with offers. I decline them by a 'no thank you.' I've gotten a handful of the buyers end up buying the full price and coming back with not as described returns. They end up saying it's not worth that full price, saying they originally offered a lower price but I rejected it, they sometimes give many reasons why like nitpicking at quality, mail carrier took too long, yadda yadda. Are crazy xmas shoppers on here early this year or something? I guess so since USPS are charging holiday rates now.

donsdetour · ‎10-03-2022

So they are interfering with your sells: A good reason to place em on your BLOCKED bidders list...

Da list get on da list.........

hachumi · ‎10-03-2022

Yes I have been dealing with that to excect that nobody has bought. I just get messages with low ball offers. I politely decline. If they keep sending me messages I block them. I've been doing this long enough to learn they will be the first to have a problem if they buy it. The Brite side of this is if I have something that people are bothering to try to get me to take an offer then I have something people want to buy. I had some the other night I listed where I had an item for 200.00 I got four messages from people offing 175-180. I knew somebody would see it was a good deal and spend the full price. Sure enough not long after . It was bought at the price I asked. So just politely decline if they ask. And take the added step of blocking them if you think they need it.

lakefor94 · ‎10-03-2022

Fishing for a partial.

I would go with old faithful, "Sorry to hear you are not pleased with your purchase. Please return for refund".

And add to the BBL

Posting ID

iamalwaysright · ‎10-03-2022

These buyers didn't bother to reply to my declining message. They just bought it at full price. So I'm saying it might be better to just block anyone to gives you an offer. It's sad though because of the high potential of abuse, it ruins the buyer offer process for everyone. Not that I care, I don't give OBO anyway.

toysaver · ‎10-03-2022

Far easier and less stressful to block the minute they make an offer when it's not listed with offers accepted.

gurlcat · ‎10-03-2022

I personally feel it's rude to write to a seller asking for a discount, when the listing's lack of 'Make Offer' should automatically tell them the price is firm. It's especially irritating when it's a brand new listing getting lots of views and watchers because it's a hot item, like why would you be desperate enough to entertain haggling? And yes, the people who push for discounts are often the same ones who cause problems after-sale. However I don't recommend blocking them all, because not all of them will be problem buyers, in fact some could turn out great (I have repeat buyers who started out as discount-askers, whether or not I lowered the price for them).
What I DO recommend is simply ignoring such emails. You are under no obligation to reply, and it's better to leave them thinking maybe you didn't even see their email than to show that you did see it but aren't going to give them a discount. I could even picture some people taking the words "No thank you" in a snotty tone. Just hold your ground silently, know that if you already have the item fairly priced someone will buy it, and you always have the option of revising the price at some point, if enough time and views occur without selling, indicating that maybe the price should be a little 'fairer.'

stubbornoaf · ‎10-03-2022

hmm...can't seem to view your listings to see if it might be an issue there...meh

I think it's against ebay rules to negotiate different prices in the messages. Maybe report them? Or at least retreat behind ebay policy as to the reason you can't negotiate.

Though I suppose they could just think they are being helpful and never had any intention of buying - I've done that once or twice. And I suppose if you didn't know your prices were crazy high, it could be a typo or something...that does happen.

I sometimes message sellers when they post in the wrong section or spelling errors in their posts (context though. I don't for ones that seem to be doing well, but for ones where the item should be selling but isn't because it's mis-labeled). I sometimes get a thank you.

The other day, I messaged a seller about an item with no bids or watchers which was obviously not working because they had the wrong photo. They haven't responded, but looks like it's still there and still with a photo that doesn't match their product described...I kinda wonder if you ordered it, which you would receive.

iamalwaysright · ‎10-03-2022

@gurlcat wrote:
I personally feel it's rude to write to a seller asking for a discount, when the listing's lack of 'Make Offer' should automatically tell them the price is firm. It's especially irritating when it's a brand new listing getting lots of views and watchers because it's a hot item, like why would you be desperate enough to entertain haggling? And yes, the people who push for discounts are often the same ones who cause problems after-sale. However I don't recommend blocking them all, because not all of them will be problem buyers, in fact some could turn out great (I have repeat buyers who started out as discount-askers, whether or not I lowered the price for them).
What I DO recommend is simply ignoring such emails. You are under no obligation to reply, and it's better to leave them thinking maybe you didn't even see their email than to show that you did see it but aren't going to give them a discount. I could even picture some people taking the words "No thank you" in a snotty tone. Just hold your ground silently, know that if you already have the item fairly priced someone will buy it, and you always have the option of revising the price at some point, if enough time and views occur without selling, indicating that maybe the price should be a little 'fairer.'

I didn't always reply to all my offers, there were alot that I ignored before. Until I got a few purchases and ready to ship items with buyer notes 'hey I messaged you an offer of $10 lower than this price'. That's when I decided to reply short and quick to all offers.

gurlcat · ‎10-03-2022

@stubbornoaf wrote:
hmm...can't seem to view your listings to see if it might be an issue there...meh

I think it's against ebay rules to negotiate different prices in the messages. Maybe report them? Or at least retreat behind ebay policy as to the reason you can't negotiate.

Not only is it NOT against the rules, very often when a buyer writes to ask for a discount, ebay offers a handy dandy blue 'Make Offer' button at the top of the email for you to use.
Now, if you DO want to offer a lower price but don't want to wait up to 5 days for payment, as a "thank you" for being nice, definitely DON'T use that button. It works just like if you accepted an offer via 'Make Offer' on your listing page, giving them days to cough up the money. Instead, just write "yes I will change the price" and revise your listing to the lower amount, whatever amount you agreed to, and post the revision. Then it will still require immediate payment.

inhawaii · ‎10-03-2022

What you described is the chance you take when selling.
However, I've had MORE buyers who's offers were declined
come back and buy the item at full price and there not be any issues.
Personally I would never block a buyer just because I declined their offer.
I guess that's just a choice each seller must make.

Harden My Heart - Quarterflash

fashunu4eeuh · ‎10-03-2022

”I think it's against ebay rules to negotiate different prices in the messages. Maybe report them? Or at least retreat behind ebay policy as to the reason you can't negotiate...”

Hi @stubbornoaf It is no longer against policy for a buyer to send an unsolicited offer. In fact, eBay encourages it now.

Sellers should keep in mind that in some cultures haggling is expected and accepted. Given that eBay is a global entity, we sellers will all likely deal with hagglers at some point.

When i receive an unsolicited offer, i sometimes send this:

“Dear Buyer, I regret i cannot accommodate your request, but thank you for your interest in my item. Sincerely, Your seller.”

No need to offer explanations or be offended. I don’t think blocking such prospective buyers is a good idea because such a dragnet could impair congress with legitimate buyers.

Selling on eBay has risk. I try not to let fear of that risk color all my transactions, or make me afraid of my own shadow. Luckily, have not ever had to deal with a fraudulent buyer. It concerns me when i see the “us against them” mentality. That can be a barrier to sales.

stubbornoaf · ‎10-03-2022

Well, two of you have corrected me so far, and none in support, so I'm inclined to believe that you have it right and I'm mistaken regarding sending offers to sellers.

Maybe try to appeal to their sense of urgency slash impatience in the listing, given that you can't actually prevent them from sending you messages. Something like, "It is the shop's official policy to always wait at least 24hrs before considering any messages to lower prices. 'Buy it now' will always be much faster than negotiation."

iamalwaysright · ‎10-03-2022

@stubbornoaf wrote:
Well, two of you have corrected me so far, and none in support, so I'm inclined to believe that you have it right and I'm mistaken regarding sending offers to sellers.
Maybe try to appeal to their sense of urgency slash impatience in the listing, given that you can't actually prevent them from sending you messages. Something like, "It is the shop's official policy to always wait at least 24hrs before considering any messages to lower prices. 'Buy it now' will always be much faster than negotiation."

Refer to my message 9 though. sad. sad. sad.