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ebay policy/procotol?

thinman

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I've been contacted by 2 people today, each asking if I have a "Buy-it-Now" option for the item I'm selling, though I obviously don't, or it would show on the auction page. It is possible that I could negotiate a higher price through "buy-it-now", but this seems unethical to me, as I have ebay bids on the item and, in my view, arranging to sell to someone who enquires about BIN by email constitutes an off-ebay transaction. What is ebay policy regarding this issue?
 

nerdykarim

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Originally Posted by thinman
I've been contacted by 2 people today, each asking if I have a "Buy-it-Now" option for the item I'm selling, though I obviously don't, or it would show on the auction page. It is possible that I could negotiate a higher price through "buy-it-now", but this seems unethical to me, as I have ebay bids on the item and, in my view, arranging to sell to someone who enquires about BIN by email constitutes an off-ebay transaction. What is ebay policy regarding this issue?

i'm pretty sure contacting a seller for a buy-it-now is standard practice. as long as it literally is a "buy it now" through ebay (as opposed to a transaction that occurs outside of ebay), i think it's okay.

that being said, it's usually in your best interest to suggest to the potential buyers that they immediately place the highest bid they're willing to pay. (especially if there are 2 or more of them). then, they just drive up the price (for each other and for the final bidder)
 

Carlo

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Simple - You can tell the person you will end the auction early and sell to them at a fixed price IF they are already the high bidder.

As long as the high bid is always honored you are fine.

Ebay policy is officially that you can't sell for higher than that bid price to the person.

...and since ebay always refunds a percentage of your listing fees in slow months you should obey every policy that maximizes their fees.
 

thinman

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So is the optimum (and fair) way to do this to email both potential buyers, tell them I'll end the auction at X time, the highest bidder at that time wins, and they should each enter their highest bid?
 

Tck13

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When I sold on ebay, I got emails like that all of the time. I found it kind of annoying. I just told people to bid on the item if they really wanted it. (not in a rude way of course...)

Just remember, if you sell your item to someone privately and withdraw your item from the auction, you are no longer covered by ebay if something happens. I always preferred to let the auction run its course.

You never know, you might get more $ just letting the auction run its course. Maybe two people really want your item, they may get into a bidding war which would get you even more $.
 

thinman

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Tck13, One of the BIN people wants me to ship to Russia as a birthday gift to a friend. He would need it shipped within 1-2 days and the auction is set to end Sunday. I'm still tempted just to let the auction run its course (I'm not thrilled about the potential hassles of shipping to Russia by USPS).
 

Tck13

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Originally Posted by thinman
Tck13, One of the BIN people wants me to ship to Russia as a birthday gift to a friend. He would need it shipped within 1-2 days and the auction is set to end Sunday. I'm still tempted just to let the auction run its course (I'm not thrilled about the potential hassles of shipping to Russia by USPS).

Sounds fishy to me.

Couple of things;

Keep in mind, shipping to another country is more expensive for you and needs to be included in your price.
Second, is it worth the trouble for you? You have what they want and they can pay for it legitimately AND their friend can get their present a couple of days late if needed. I found that the people who really wanted the item bid appropriately. Many times, people who contacted me and offered me an early price either never bid or weren't the highest bidders.
Lastly, if you do sell outside ebay, make sure the $ is in your paypal acct or in your pocket before you send your item.
Ebay is fun and it is sooo nice to be able to get rid of stuff and get a little bit of cash for it but it can be a chore if one gets rushed and inconvienced. Then it is not so much fun.
 

mack11211

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Generally best to let the market decide the price. That's what I tell 'em.
 

Tck13

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Originally Posted by mack11211
Generally best to let the market decide the price. That's what I tell 'em.

Funny you should say that, I was just thinking the same thing.

I think I always got a fair (or better) price by just letting the auction run it's course. The ebay "market" does seem to regulate itself very well.

There is no quick money on there (unfortunately) even though it might seem attractive to sell quickly. It is almost like this fear / excitement response - Should I take the money now - it's right there - or wait till the auction ends...
 

thinman

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Thanks for the advice, gents (I'm an ebay neophyte, especially as a seller). My gut tells me to let the auction play out.

Like many on the forum, I'm financing some of my clothing obssession by selling a few things on ebay. So far it's been fun, but another goal is to make a little cash _without a major hassle_.
 

DocHolliday

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Originally Posted by Tck13
Funny you should say that, I was just thinking the same thing.

I think I always got a fair (or better) price by just letting the auction run it's course. The ebay "market" does seem to regulate itself very well.


Overall, I agree with you. But individual auctions are highly variable. I had a pair of very nice, new shoes with 25 watchers that ultimately sold for $20. That was about a fifteenth of their retail value. Teach me to start so low.

That said, I think that once an item has bids, you should let the auction run its course. It's only fair to the other bidders.
 

tiger02

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This thread isn't too old, so I don't feel badly about bringing it back to life. I have a similar situation, from the buyer's side. The seller agreed to end the auction early for a price above the starting bid, but then before she ended it there was another bidder. Do I now have no choice but to let the auction go to completion?

Tom
 

Eskie

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It appears that's up to the seller. If your offer is greater than the opening bid, perhaps they will sell it early. It looks like there's no standard set of rules regarding this, although I would think that once the bidding starts, it should be followed to completion. But it seems you can negotiate an arrangement with the seller to get around this by either ending early, or having the item withdrawn and sold to you.
 

Sator

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Originally Posted by thinman
Tck13, One of the BIN people wants me to ship to Russia as a birthday gift to a friend. He would need it shipped within 1-2 days and the auction is set to end Sunday. I'm still tempted just to let the auction run its course (I'm not thrilled about the potential hassles of shipping to Russia by USPS).

I would advise extreme caution when shipping to Russia. I know people in Russia and it is impossible to send stuff to them of any value as things are so corrupt in that country that people within the postal system or customs steal things inside the packages - with total impunity. Their economic systems is so rotten that everyone is paid in cash, since if you transfer money into a bank account, it just 'disappears' and if someone goes to withdraw it, the bank teller merely stares blankly and says 'money, what money?'. Anyone with enough money to be able to buy things from the West is likely to have their hands on some dirty money and have mafia connections. There are as a result some filthy rich people but if I were selling on eBay I would refuse to deal with any buyers from that country.
 

AlanC

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I see nothing wrong with a request to BIN/end the auction early. I've asked, been rebuffed but also been rewarded. I have an Oxxford overcoat and a Turnbull & Asser sportcoat I'll show you as proof. It never hurts to ask. You never know what might motivate the seller.

I'd be careful about that ship to Russia thing, though.
 

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