I just did. An auction had run numerous times unsold at $9.99 with $3 shipping. I offered $7 and was accepted. Seller canceled auction and relisted for a buy it now.
I collect Seattle Pilots autographs, 1969 Topps autographs, Signed Mickey Mantle Home Run History cards and have a JC Martin collection (he was my college Baseball coach) Doug
The way I see it: offers are only a good thing. If they want to acceptor counter, it makes them money! If they can't accept, either ignore or reply no--easy as that.
I've done it and have had people send me offers on a BIN. But if it doesn't have a best offer option, I will message them and ask if they will take $50, or $100, whatever my offer is. The seller already posted a price. If you are not happy with it, then I think its up to the buyer to make an offer.
<< <i>I usually don't send best offers but instead a message asking what is the lowest they will accept.
If they reply, "send me an offer" I ignore and move-on.
Most of the time they respond and then I make a decision.
So, I don't think it's bad manners to ask. >>
I actually hate this option. I have a $700 BIN OBO Mantle right now where a guy sends me a note, "What is my bottom dollar?" I usually ignore that because they are usually looking to flip the card. Which if fine and all but I am in the market to either make money on the card or put it in a collection where it will sit for years of enjoyment. Walking up to someone at a flee market saying what is your bottom dollar on a $700 item and they will say $700 because they know you are not interested remotely close to their break even point. Kind of a waste of both of your times.
I prefer what the OP is asking. I have messaged sellers stating I am willing to offer $575 for your $700 Mantle. They have come back and said my bottom dollar is $600 or so. Then that gives me the choice of offering the $600 or not. I also reply to all offers via messages like this as a negotiating tool so you don't burn up your 2 offers.
Ebay recently put in place a pretty good option for situations like this- if somebody sends a message about a specific listing the seller can "Send an offer" directly to the buyer. So if I have a card listed at $100 and somebody ask what my best price is, I can send them an 'offer' price of $75 or whatever which they can choose to accept or decline. Nobody else sees this price. Going in and changing the price is kind of a pain in the balls, I like this option a lot better.
I think this was ebay's attempt at making it easier for sellers to make the deal on ebay vs taking it directly to paypal.
Comments
If they reply, "send me an offer" I ignore and move-on.
Most of the time they respond and then I make a decision.
So, I don't think it's bad manners to ask.
Seller canceled auction and relisted for a buy it now.
Doug
The way I see it: offers are only a good thing. If they want to acceptor counter, it makes them money! If they can't accept, either ignore or reply no--easy as that.
<< <i>I usually don't send best offers but instead a message asking what is the lowest they will accept.
If they reply, "send me an offer" I ignore and move-on.
Most of the time they respond and then I make a decision.
So, I don't think it's bad manners to ask. >>
I actually hate this option. I have a $700 BIN OBO Mantle right now where a guy sends me a note, "What is my bottom dollar?" I usually ignore that because they are usually looking to flip the card. Which if fine and all but I am in the market to either make money on the card or put it in a collection where it will sit for years of enjoyment. Walking up to someone at a flee market saying what is your bottom dollar on a $700 item and they will say $700 because they know you are not interested remotely close to their break even point. Kind of a waste of both of your times.
I prefer what the OP is asking. I have messaged sellers stating I am willing to offer $575 for your $700 Mantle. They have come back and said my bottom dollar is $600 or so. Then that gives me the choice of offering the $600 or not. I also reply to all offers via messages like this as a negotiating tool so you don't burn up your 2 offers.
I think this was ebay's attempt at making it easier for sellers to make the deal on ebay vs taking it directly to paypal.
Lee