breathe
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:14:24 PM new
This topic has been on here a long time back, but alas - I am asking the auction wiz's of AW to share their thoughts about this again! Thanks in advance!
On my eBay auctions, I have several items that I sell on a regular basis. One item in particular I pay $5.00 for and usually sell for around $15.00. --details not exact to protect the innocent-- 
When I checked my auctions tonight that were closing, one of these items had a final bid for more than $50. This same bidder bid on a similar item (just one size smaller) and won that one for $15.01.
My auctions have been slow and I need the $$$$, believe me! But I feel a little funny about selling this for so much. I feel that if the bidder checks back and sees the item again for a lot less, he/she may think I took advantage of him/her.
Am I paranoid??? Am I just plain dumb??? Should I throw in some freebies or shipping?
All your input will be greatly appreciated and I hope none of you think this is one of the "dumber" questions on this board!
I'm so confused I'm dizzy! 
 
edited becauze I cain't spele tonite!
[ edited by breathe on Oct 9, 2000 10:16 PM ]
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ubiedaman
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:20:47 PM new
Don' wanna be a douse of cold water, but I would expect a "oops a bid by mistake" letter from this buyer....but ya never know...what is the Feedback on this buyer?..have they bid on a lot of auctions?...best of luck!!
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
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jamesoblivion
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:27:12 PM new
How bout, "just enjoy it"?
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mybiddness
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:30:40 PM new
I have this happen once in a while too. Just last night I was freaking out because an item that always closes at around $8.00 went to $23.00. Two bidders got into a bidding war and up it went. Depending on my own perceived value of the item and how much over the average sale price it goes, I sometimes throw in something extra. I've thought about offering it for less $$ a time or two but I think the bottom line is that the bidder is the one who set the price and they may actually be offended if you tell them they paid too much. I try not to worry about it - it kind of makes up for the ones that go for less than expected.
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outoftheblue
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:33:03 PM new
Don't sweat it! This type of thing happens quite often. Sometimes things just get bid up higher than usual. We have had stuff sell for more than retail and the buyer was very happy. Sometimes the transaction goes well and sometimes the high bidder deadbeats.
It is obvious that at least two or more people really wanted what ever it is you are selling so it must be worth the money to them. If you want to send something extra that's fine but it's not necessary and no-one expects it.
Don't lower your price like some do. It is not necessary and might make the buyer think that there is something wrong with the item.
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breathe
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:43:25 PM new
Thanks Guys! I've taken a deep breath and feel better about it. Think I may offer to pay part of the shipping. I see he/she has just bid on a third item.
Thanks!
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mzalez
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:45:42 PM new
Good for you!!! Congratulations.
If you really want to frost that cake and make the buyer's day...ship for free and throw in a freebie. You'll have a customer for life!
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upriver
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:46:31 PM new
It's ok, just send me the difference, you'll feel better in the morning.
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stantman
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posted on October 9, 2000 10:46:43 PM new
I'll tell you what...
If I have 2 of the same item, and one sells for $1.00 and the other sells for $1,000 --the buyers of both had better pay up within the same time frame as anybody else.
We are dealing with adults who make adult committments when they bid. Period.
If and when someone gets caught up in a bidding war and then wins an item, but suffers from remorse; after they pay for it, I suggest they take a little break from Ebay and determine whether or not they are mature and responsible enough to interact on the site.
[ edited by stantman on Oct 9, 2000 10:48 PM ]
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skyscout
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posted on October 10, 2000 02:14:00 AM new
You have to remember that Ebay is an auction. There is no such thing as too high! It is just the same way at real live auctions. The truth is that most EBay buyers who pay too much are very happy with their purchase. I can't explain it, I guess it is because the item is like a prize. I would hate to see people get into the habit of coming down on items final prices. It is not fair to anyone. I do wish they would just set up instant-buy sales on Ebay so that I could just ceratin items for whatever they're worth.
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blue4
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posted on October 10, 2000 02:36:14 AM new
I give free shipping.
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granee
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posted on October 10, 2000 04:34:52 AM new
If the item has an established retail value, is readily available, and is still being produced, I reduce the price to no more than what it can be bought for elsewhere. Sooner or later the bidder will realize he got burned (even though *he* did the bidding) and will resent your "overcharging". If it's just a little over-valued, you might throw in free shipping.
If the item is no longer being produced (or hard-to-find/in-short-supply if still being produced), then it's worth what the market will bear, which is the high bid price.
And if the buyer is getting several things from you and UNDER-PAYS for something else, I wouldn't reduce the price of the one that's too high.
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skyscout
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posted on October 10, 2000 04:48:09 AM new
I REALLY resent people doing that! Why? Because next thing you know, people will be expecting it! If they don't want to pay it, they shouldn't bid it! Also, remember that Ebay's take comes out of the final price, even if you cut it down for the buyer. This is not a contest of points where whoever bids the highest gets it at a good price. They get it at whatever price they bid, no matter how high. Get a grip! I wish the IRS would take on your attitude. I don't think they are worth what they cost.
[ edited by skyscout on Oct 10, 2000 04:49 AM ]
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toomanycomics
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posted on October 10, 2000 06:05:29 AM new
breathe I went thru the same thing with two of my items. What I did is I informed the one of the buyers that I will throw in free shipping and the other buyer free insurance & tracking number.
 the one and only toomanycomics on AW!
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mballai
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posted on October 10, 2000 06:07:06 AM new
I had something that closed on the high side of things yesterday, so I upgraded their shipping at no extra charge.
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amalgamated2000
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posted on October 10, 2000 06:49:33 AM new
Giving free shipping or discounts to people who over-bid is a great idea. Not because you feel sorry for them, but because these are the kind of people that you want as repeat customers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
All rights reserved. All wrongs reversed.
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CleverGirl
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posted on October 10, 2000 07:20:41 AM new
Granee's advice was great, and right on.
I bid on a reference book (brand new) that I wanted and needed. Checked amazon and the price I was going to get it at was much less. I was happy. Until I received it -- it wasn't the book I thought it was, it was the *el cheapo* (severely reduced) version and I paid WELL over what I would have at amazon including shipping. Which version it was wasn't clear from either the picture or the description (unless you knew what you were looking at, and I didn't at that point), and I have no idea if the Seller intended that or not. Sure, in the final analsysis it was my error (caveat emptor and all that)O, but I still resent the heck out of that Seller and will never bid on anything from him again.
Please remember, folks, your buyers don't have the luxury of holding, touching, inspecting your merchandise themselves. They rely on you and you alone (and your pix) and you're the only one who can keep things fair. If you don't, they won't be back. EVER.
Free shipping and a little something extra is a wonderful idea if, as granee suggests, it's a new item for which retail value is fairly well established, as it sounds like it is.
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Capriole
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posted on October 11, 2000 09:28:33 AM new
I often wonder if bidders look under the sellers other auctions to see if there are more than one up for sale.
Many times I cruise by to see one of an identical group of 4-8 that a seller may have up going for a lot higher than the rest.
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eventer
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posted on October 11, 2000 09:35:44 AM new
I had a similar thread to this a couple of weeks ago when a bidding war drove one of my items up 250% over it's original price & about 200% over what I paid for it.
The general consensus was to do the happy dance but throw in some extra items as a "thank you".
As an update, I did let the bid stand & threw in some extra items. The buyer was thrilled & left me some of the best feedback I've received yet. Go figure!
So, do free shipping, extra items & dance, dance, dance!
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zeenza
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posted on October 11, 2000 09:37:36 AM new
Take the money!!!
Listen, when my sis and I were younger we used to watch this flick called 'The Crawling Eye' on our old black and white TV set. It scared us to death,.. but we loved watching it.
About a year back 2 seperate auctions had that stupid movie on video for sale.
I would have bid on both to the moon to get them for us.
Could be this bidder wanted both for reasons you do not understand.
Just take the money, honey.
And when you get a chance rent the Crawling Eye on video. Man, we were dumb kids.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on October 11, 2000 09:42:31 AM new
...we used to watch this flick called 'The Crawling Eye' on our old black and white TV set. It scared us to death...
You're not the only ones- my brother and sister and I watched it, too. Kind of creepy going outside when it was foggy after that...
edited... ubb
[ edited by mrpotatoheadd on Oct 11, 2000 09:44 AM ]
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batsnbeans
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posted on October 11, 2000 09:49:53 AM new
Think about it this way. No bid goes that high without other bidders bidding that high as well. I wouldn't worry about it until you have too.
Leslie
Bats-n-beans on ebay
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puterk
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posted on October 11, 2000 09:53:51 AM new
This is my first time in the message center and I have never laughed so hard at the crawling eye comment. I have to rent this for my son because he is a scary movie freak. I agree with everyone else. I buy at auctions myself and host some too so sometimes people just find an item they have to have and are willing to bid as high as it takes. Thanks for the good laugh everyone it was much needed and I would have gladly paid 5.00 = free shipping for it!!!! Kris
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montre9
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posted on October 12, 2000 07:19:20 AM new
Thanks for the thread! Next time this happens to me, I'll just throw in free shipping and handling. Sounds like excellent way to make both my bidder and my self feel better when those price might go a little too high.
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jwtauctions
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posted on October 12, 2000 10:28:38 AM new
The only comment I would make is that you should make sure there isn't some kind of auction manipulation going on. I got stuck in the middle of a bunch of shillers awhile back who bid an incredibly high amount on one of my items to make their's look more reasonable. Needless to say, I was able to get them NARU'd after a great deal of investigation.
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outoftheblue
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posted on October 12, 2000 10:49:58 AM new
Again let me say the the "buyer" sets the final value of the auction. You get charged (by Ebay) according to the final value of the auction. Selling the item to the person for the final bid price is what is expected! As long as you are not manipulating the auction or mis-representing the item, the buyer has no complaint coming. You are not overcharging!
If you wish to be generous and give free shipping or extra items that is your business. But remember, you are not obligated to do so.
When we first started on Ebay we had an item (new with tags) that sold for 50% more than retail value. I couldn't believe it went for that much. There was a picture of the price tag in the auction. No mis-representation there... The item just happend to be discontinued and was in demand.
Remember that if something gets bid up there is more than one person involved in bidding, probably several. So it is more than just the high bidder that wanted the item at a higher than expected price.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on October 12, 2000 10:56:02 AM new
Another reason items can go "too high" is that it's possible a bidder who wants an item badly may bid way over its expected value, figuring that they'll get it for one bid increment above the next bidder, who they assume will bid a reasonable amount for the item. This strategy fails, however, when two bidders use it on the same item.
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sissyclarke
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posted on October 12, 2000 11:26:46 AM new
I can always depend on ebay outlook people to answer my questions before I ask them.
All of the comments were great.
What about the bouncing blue MM
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midnightdesigns
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posted on October 12, 2000 11:35:41 AM new
I think sometimes you have to keep in mind the motivation bidders have..When I bid TOO high, sometimes its because the item is not something I can get locally without going through alot of trouble, or "ordering" from a company. I consider the luxury of shopping in my jammies worth an extra buck or two as well LOL. Just the other day I paid a HUGE amount of money for an "item" that I KNEW wasn't *worth* the amount I was bidding..Why? *2* reasons..First, cuz the guy who I was having a bid war against was pi**ing me off and I was determined to WIN even if I had to go into debt(JK)LOLOL and Second, because I am gonna get MAJOR brownie points from my daughter when she gets it. Picturing the look of joy on her face when she sees this "item" that she wants SO BAD, is worth the extra money to me.
So I guess what I am saying is, money is not the only driving force in an auction purchase.. ENJOY it!! OH ! and send me that bidder when your done!! haha
Jackie
[email protected]
http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewListedItems&userid=midnightdesigns
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