posted on September 1, 2000 06:22:22 AM
I'm curious as to what the advantage could be to you, as the seller, to end it early? Could one of you folks who have been here a while, I've only been selling a couple of weeks, explain that to me? As far as I can tell, the only advantage would be to the buyer who gets to keep the price lower by eliminating the competition.
posted on September 1, 2000 06:25:38 AM
Uh that's a judgement call and frankly I wouldn't do it. I have this funny gut feeling that the item is worth more and they know it.
I also don't like doing this sort of thing with a newbie as their reliablity hasn't been proven. It also sets a bad precedent of behavior for a bidder that should not be condoned or encouraged. This is not a buy price auction like on Yahoo.
Yes you would be protected under eBay FWIW, but that's not the issue.
[ edited by mballai on Sep 1, 2000 06:26 AM ]
posted on September 1, 2000 06:26:28 AM
This topic has been discussed here many times. The majority opinion is that you should let the auction run it's course. While you may be happy with the bid, you may end up shortchanging yourself on the ending amount. Usually a buyer realizes that the price could go up, and that is what motivates their asking you to end early. The fact that the bidder is new is a small "red flag" as well.
I vote for letting the auction finish. You may be surprised at the ending price.
posted on September 1, 2000 06:40:30 AM
Good advice, as usual. Let me throw a monkey-wrench into this now. The item in question was kyboshed by the VeRo bandits last time I listed it due to an email from a "quasi-lawyer" (unhappy competitor!). Although I have subsequently challenged eBay on this (I have written proof that I am fully authorized to sell this item!), in these types of cases, they convict you without a trial - you're guilty until you can prove you're innocent. I am concerned that if I let it run it's full course, I may have to go through the motions AGAIN (provide proof to eBay, relist, yada yada yada).
So, do I take a chance?
If I let it continue, the bidding MAY go up.
If I let it continue, VeRo MAY cancel it.
If I end the auction, I MAY never hear from the bidder again.
posted on September 1, 2000 06:41:33 AM
I wouldn't end it early and here's why ..
I had the same request recently, thought about it and as the item had not cost me much, I emailed the bidder and told them I would agree to this at X amount.
The bidder said they would think about it - this was 4 hours into the auction. I replied that I required their decision within 24 hours.
They never replied and the item ended up going for twice what I had anticipated. It seems though it was a fairly common and desirable item - while the others had one theme, this one possessed an unusual theme that was much more desired - unbeknownst to me.
I have found, generally when someone requests you to end an auction early - it is often times worth more than you suspect. I have also come to liken it to the people who will try to gain access to an Estate/Garage/Tag sale earlier than the specified time by claiming they will be out of town, they only want to look or this is the only time they have to come to the sale.
posted on September 1, 2000 06:56:30 AM
noteye ... I thought about that, but even if I did put this in the listing, I don't think it would make any difference. I have found that any eBay user can report any other eBay user's item as illegal, and eBay will cancel the auction immediately. They say they investigate, but I doubt that ever really happens. In my case, their so-called investigation did not involve me at all - the cancelation came right out of the blue ...
OTOH, I could scan a pic of the letter I have on file from the copyright owner giving me their blessing to sell the item ... if I just had a scanner
posted on September 1, 2000 10:50:27 AM
RB ..... Just another thought.
I am concerned that if I let it run it's full course, I may have to go through the motions AGAIN (provide proof to eBay, relist, yada yada yada).
I would be more concerned with getting a NARU slip from eBay, than I would about having to go through any motions again. If you've already been warned once, they may just pull the plug on you this time around?
You may be surprised at the ending price.