What would you do with this eBay buyer? (Update on 5/30)

U1chicago · May 28, 2026 6:35PM

What would you do in this eBay scenario? The item was listed at 150. The person offered 130, then declined the 130, and is now asking for 115.

Update as of 5.30.26...I have not said anything since this thread was made and today see a new message offering 125.

a) block the person on eBay
b) ignore them (no more replies) but don't block
c) some sort of witty reply (props to whoever comes up with the best one in the comments)
d) counter at 100 and see if that throws them for a loop
e) other (let us know what other option you can think of)

MsMorrisine · May 28, 2026 6:38PM

message sender that 130 was the deal and sorry that 115 won't work

AdamL · May 28, 2026 6:38PM

I'd probably go with option B.

MrBluster · May 28, 2026 6:39PM

Counter back @ 155

MasonG · May 28, 2026 6:44PM

@U1chicago said:

e) other (let us know what other option you can think of)

Reply: "Thanks for your offer, I will decline." Depending on how it goes from there, I would also consider "a) block the person on eBay".

Project Numismatics · May 28, 2026 7:18PM

Block and move on - life is too short!

johnny9434 · May 28, 2026 7:50PM

Sound like its more of a problem, move on

vplite99 · May 28, 2026 8:31PM

A. BLOCK

RedRocket · May 28, 2026 9:40PM

I'd politely reply with a pass at the $115.00 price.
Many buyers are not good negotiators.
I wouldn't punish this eBay'er with anything less than civility and polite behavior on your part.

PerryHall · May 29, 2026 12:26AM

Have some fun. Counter at $140---higher than his initial offer but lower that your original ask price.
You may want to edit your opening post to mention that you were selling a coin before one of the usual suspects chastises you for being off topic.

JBK · May 29, 2026 2:05AM

The buyer might just be a little scatterbrained. I'd assume that scenario unless/until he shows that he is in reality playing games or trying to be manipulative.

I'd just politely decline his new offer, or just ignore it.

Bullsitter · May 29, 2026 2:31AM

A
.

justindan · May 29, 2026 3:38AM

Option A for sure. If he buys the coin likely a return or ask for a partial refund buyer.

MFeld · May 29, 2026 3:39AM

“I decline your offer of $115, which you made after previously offering $130 and my having agreed to it. You don’t sound like someone I wish to do business with.”

And block him.

LeeBone · May 29, 2026 4:11AM

b) ignore them (no more replies) but don't block

Edited: I would probably block as a precaution of them making a purchase and then having a good chance of a return

jmlanzaf · May 29, 2026 4:18AM

Personally, he's not going to ever be worth your time. There's no wrong answer.

Sometimes, for fun, I counter at close to the original ask. They usually get the message, but sometimes they get mad.

You can also reply "No, thank you. It doesn't seem you're a serous buyer." For some reason, a lot of people hate it when you tell them they aren't "serious". I've had people respond with a list of allegedly expensive items they've bought to prove they are "serious".

You can also just decline without explanation.

This belongs on the haggling thread. It is not uncommon. I've even had people message me before I decline the offer to tell me to ignore that offer because they've decided the offer was too high and they want to make a lower offer.

I also had a "fun" exchange over an auction last week. He wrote that if I didn't get any bids (it was $58), he would pay $45 after the auction ended.

I replied "No thanks. It would defeat the purpose of having an auction. "

He went ballistic and yelled at me that he didn't need to be lectured on how auctions work etc.

I replied "Apparently, you did. You were bidding in the wrong direction." And then I did block him.

TrickleCharge · May 29, 2026 5:15AM

Tell him that you accept his offer of $115, but revised offers incur an additional processing charge of $15.

Klif50 · May 29, 2026 5:38AM

Send him an offer of $135.

AUandAG · May 29, 2026 7:07AM

I, last week, had an item that was listed at $55. Buyer messaged would I take 45. Responded that recent sales were 55-60 and I couldn't do that. Then he messaged how about 47. I said I could do that. It was a "make an offer" listing but he was just messaging. Once I said yes, 47 was okay, he just disappeared.
Sold to different buyer at 52.
weird for sure
bob

lermish · May 29, 2026 7:27AM

You do a lot more business on eBay than I but, in general, I recommend blocking anyone for even the slightest infraction, real or otherwise. @jmlanzaf is right, the buyer won't ever be worth your time.

Different people have a different amount of time and hassle that they are willing to put up with for money. You have to answer for yourself but I am willing to put up with approximately zero hassle for any item which I would list on eBay.

MedalCollector · May 29, 2026 7:30AM

Just counter back at $130. My guess is that they will accept and the remainder of the transaction will be completely normal.

Cougar1978 · May 29, 2026 9:50AM

Don’t let them bug you. Generally (hagglers at shows) I just tell them it’s priced as marked. Or just turn away, acting bored and start reading the grey sheet.

Suggest you just ignore that person, block. Stand by your price don’t let them talk you down. If they really want it they will pay the money.

RedRocket · May 29, 2026 9:51AM

@lermish said:
You do a lot more business on eBay than I but, in general, I recommend blocking anyone for even the slightest infraction, real or otherwise. @jmlanzaf is right, the buyer won't ever be worth your time.

Different people have a different amount of time and hassle that they are willing to put up with for money. You have to answer for yourself but I am willing to put up with approximately zero hassle for any item which I would list on eBay.

I generally agree with everything you post yet take exception with this.
It doesn't take much time or energy to show grace and allow for the fact this may be a new collector.
Perhaps a bit of patience before leveling a tactic of "block and move on."

jmlanzaf · May 29, 2026 10:29AM

@RedRocket said:

@lermish said:
You do a lot more business on eBay than I but, in general, I recommend blocking anyone for even the slightest infraction, real or otherwise. @jmlanzaf is right, the buyer won't ever be worth your time.

Different people have a different amount of time and hassle that they are willing to put up with for money. You have to answer for yourself but I am willing to put up with approximately zero hassle for any item which I would list on eBay.

I generally agree with everything you post yet take exception with this.
It doesn't take much time or energy to show grace and allow for the fact this may be a new collector.
Perhaps a bit of patience before leveling a tactic of "block and move on."

I don't completely disagree, but...

Are you saying that "new collectors" shouldn't know how to offer or negotiate? I've had dozens, probably hundreds of similar interactions over the years. Only ONE ever resulted in an eventual sale. I've actually had far more people send me long screeds justifying their low offer after it's rejected. It's just ultimately a time sink.

I blocked a guy last week. Why? He's sent me unsolicited requests for my "best price" about 6 or 8 times (Chinese stamps), including multiple times on the same items. I responded with an offer each time and he never bought anything. I decided it simply wasn't worth my time to continue to have to respond.

Dave99B · May 29, 2026 11:13AM

Ignore. Life is short.

Dave

lermish · May 29, 2026 11:56AM

@RedRocket said:

@lermish said:
You do a lot more business on eBay than I but, in general, I recommend blocking anyone for even the slightest infraction, real or otherwise. @jmlanzaf is right, the buyer won't ever be worth your time.

Different people have a different amount of time and hassle that they are willing to put up with for money. You have to answer for yourself but I am willing to put up with approximately zero hassle for any item which I would list on eBay.

I generally agree with everything you post yet take exception with this.
It doesn't take much time or energy to show grace and allow for the fact this may be a new collector.
Perhaps a bit of patience before leveling a tactic of "block and move on."

I understand your point. However, I’m not a coin dealer, this is just a hobby for me, and because of that, I want as little stress involved as possible. I have no interest in spending time or energy dealing with random prospective buyers on eBay.

I prefer to treat buyers the same way I like to be treated by sellers: either buy it or don’t, make an offer or don’t. I’m not selling a $300 coin to build a long-term relationship or provide a free education. I have a coin, the buyer wants the coin, we agree on a price, and that’s the transaction. In my opinion, anything beyond that is unnecessary and unwelcome.

Also, the types of coins I typically sell on eBay, mostly chopped trade dollars, are unlikely to attract completely new buyers.

ELVIS1 · May 29, 2026 12:04PM

@PerryHall said:
Have some fun. Counter at $140---higher than his initial offer but lower that your original ask price.
You may want to edit your opening post to mention that you were selling a coin before one of the usual suspects chastises you for being off topic.

^THIS.^
Never miss an opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense.

logger7 · May 29, 2026 12:12PM

Pretty much the only time I block a potential buyer is for fraud, blatant or offensive unreasonableness, etc.. Low ball offers, tire kickers are a fact of life in sales.

RedRocket · May 29, 2026 12:30PM

@lermish said:

@RedRocket said:

@lermish said:
You do a lot more business on eBay than I but, in general, I recommend blocking anyone for even the slightest infraction, real or otherwise. @jmlanzaf is right, the buyer won't ever be worth your time.

Different people have a different amount of time and hassle that they are willing to put up with for money. You have to answer for yourself but I am willing to put up with approximately zero hassle for any item which I would list on eBay.

I generally agree with everything you post yet take exception with this.
It doesn't take much time or energy to show grace and allow for the fact this may be a new collector.
Perhaps a bit of patience before leveling a tactic of "block and move on."

I understand your point. However, I’m not a coin dealer, this is just a hobby for me, and because of that, I want as little stress involved as possible. I have no interest in spending time or energy dealing with random prospective buyers on eBay.

I prefer to treat buyers the same way I like to be treated by sellers: either buy it or don’t, make an offer or don’t. I’m not selling a $300 coin to build a long-term relationship or provide a free education. I have a coin, the buyer wants the coin, we agree on a price, and that’s the transaction. In my opinion, anything beyond that is unnecessary and unwelcome.

Also, the types of coins I typically sell on eBay, mostly chopped trade dollars, are unlikely to attract completely new buyers.

I can't argue with that logic. As a non-dealer and only as a hobbyist, that makes sense.
You don't owe anyone, anything.

@ELVIS1 said:

@PerryHall said:
Have some fun. Counter at $140---higher than his initial offer but lower that your original ask price.
You may want to edit your opening post to mention that you were selling a coin before one of the usual suspects chastises you for being off topic.

^THIS.^
Never miss an opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense.

That is easy to do, via a keyboard. Not so easy in person, I'd imagine.

@logger7 said:
Pretty much the only time I block a potential buyer is for fraud, blatant or offensive unreasonableness, etc.. Low ball offers, tire kickers are a fact of life in sales.

A great way to handle business and a working philosophy in life

DoubleEagle59 · May 29, 2026 12:34PM

The buyer has some sort of brain malfunction or just a weird sense of humor.

I'd definitely BLOCK him.

jt88 · May 29, 2026 12:52PM

It really depends on your cost and how you feel about your coin. This happened to me before. I took his second offer and sold for $115. People changed mind all the time, both buyers and sellers. It is not a big deal, as long as before he buys. If you don't want to sell, then just tell him no, and move on.

SoFlo · May 29, 2026 1:03PM

He sent an offer of $130 and you accepted. It wasn't until the next day that he declined and made a lower offer. My guess is he checked recent sales and realized that he offered too much.

MasonG · May 29, 2026 1:21PM

@jmlanzaf said:
I've had dozens, probably hundreds of similar interactions over the years. Only ONE ever resulted in an eventual sale. I've actually had far more people send me long screeds justifying their low offer after it's rejected. It's just ultimately a time sink.

I've had almost exactly the same experience, only difference is I've never made a sale in a situation like this.

That being said, I would advise against the urge to mess with these guys (not to imply that @jmlanzaf was suggesting that, BTW) since new eBay user IDs are easy to create and the guy you mess with can always decide to return the favor. My goal with these people is for them to go away and forget about me.

BigFrankie · May 29, 2026 2:42PM

b) ignore them (no more replies) but don't block

mustangmanbob · May 29, 2026 3:37PM

I sell about 2000 lots on ebay a year, albeit less than 1% are coins.

All of mine have a best offer feature, and maybe 40% sell using the best offer.

One thing I do, is when a person makes an offer, I go check the feedback they have left for others.

When I see reds and neutrals, I figure they are just not a happy person, and premptively block them.

One person had over 90% of the feedback they left as negatives. Thanks But no thanks.

jmlanzaf · May 29, 2026 4:23PM

@ELVIS1 said:

@PerryHall said:
Have some fun. Counter at $140---higher than his initial offer but lower that your original ask price.
You may want to edit your opening post to mention that you were selling a coin before one of the usual suspects chastises you for being off topic.

^THIS.^
Never miss an opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense.

I guess you call your wife fat at every opportunity.

jmlanzaf · May 29, 2026 4:29PM

@MasonG said:

@jmlanzaf said:
I've had dozens, probably hundreds of similar interactions over the years. Only ONE ever resulted in an eventual sale. I've actually had far more people send me long screeds justifying their low offer after it's rejected. It's just ultimately a time sink.

I've had almost exactly the same experience, only difference is I've never made a sale in a situation like this.

That being said, I would advise against the urge to mess with these guys (not to imply that @jmlanzaf was suggesting that, BTW) since new eBay user IDs are easy to create and the guy you mess with can always decide to return the favor. My goal with these people is for them to go away and forget about me.

I actually think about that every time I block someone or someone gets mad about my rejection.

ELVIS1 · May 29, 2026 4:50PM

@jmlanzaf said:

@ELVIS1 said:

@PerryHall said:
Have some fun. Counter at $140---higher than his initial offer but lower that your original ask price.
You may want to edit your opening post to mention that you were selling a coin before one of the usual suspects chastises you for being off topic.

^THIS.^
Never miss an opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense.

I guess you call your wife fat at every opportunity.

If she were alive ,maybe.

RedRocket · May 29, 2026 5:01PM

@ELVIS1 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

Never miss an opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense.

I guess you call your wife fat at every opportunity.

If she were alive ,maybe.

jmlanzaf · May 29, 2026 6:16PM

@RedRocket said:

@ELVIS1 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

Never miss an opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense.

I guess you call your wife fat at every opportunity.

If she were alive ,maybe.

That took a turn.

davewesen · May 29, 2026 7:16PM

stall or spin it on them ....

ask them if you can return it as you found one cheaper.

ELVIS1 · May 29, 2026 7:24PM

@jmlanzaf said:

@RedRocket said:

@ELVIS1 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

Never miss an opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense.

I guess you call your wife fat at every opportunity.

If she were alive ,maybe.

That took a turn.

My wife had the greatest sense of humor... She would be laughing at it taking a turn..

jmlanzaf · May 30, 2026 1:59AM

.

Morgan13 · May 30, 2026 4:15AM

They are just playing with you. I would just ignore them and block them.

Rampage · May 30, 2026 4:44AM

Block them and move on. No reply needed. You will eventually be sorry if you do not block them and they come back later and buy something and turn into a problem.

JJM · May 30, 2026 9:24AM

Ignore

Copperindian · May 30, 2026 9:44AM

Ignore & block….

pursuitofliberty · May 30, 2026 9:54AM

Oh, maybe for fun, and because I'm a math nerd.

"Well, I was definitely considering it at $130. but since you revised your offer by 13% lower I got to thinking ... maybe I should counter by accepting your original offer plus 13%. Please let me know if the $146.9 is acceptable. If not, good luck and have a great day!"

U1chicago · May 30, 2026 3:18PM

Update as of 5.30.26...I have not said anything since this thread was made and today see a new message offering 125. Maybe if I continue ignoring, there will be an offer of 135

jmlanzaf · May 30, 2026 4:50PM

@U1chicago said:
Update as of 5.30.26...I have not said anything since this thread was made and today see a new message offering 125. Maybe if I continue ignoring, there will be an offer of 135

Wait long enough and he'll pay full price. This is what I mean about hagglers.

Couple weeks ago, someone offered me $80 for a $99 coin. I said, "no thank you" and he paid full price. And at $99 it was (intentionally) the cheapest one on ebay. They just have to negotiate.

Raise the price to $200. Someone will offer $160.

MasonG · May 30, 2026 4:54PM

@U1chicago said:
Update as of 5.30.26...I have not said anything since this thread was made and today see a new message offering 125. Maybe if I continue ignoring, there will be an offer of 135

Who knows? Every couple of months, I get an email from eBay that I've got an offer on a coin and then a few hours later, another email to tell me that the guy who made the offer bought the coin at the listed price.

What would you do with this eBay buyer? (Update on 5/30)

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