posted on October 17, 2000 01:07:24 PM
Need your opinion ... recently I've had buyers contact me with offers to buy
one of my items that is still up for auction. They offer a flat price
(usually a pretty good price) and ask me to end the auction early. I've not
taken these offers since I don't think it's fair to potential buyers that
may have the item on their "watch list" and just haven't had a chance to bid
yet. What do other sellers do when this happens?? I'm selling one-of-a-kind
old photos and documents.
posted on October 17, 2000 01:14:49 PM
I had this happen recently and felt bad turning her down as she did not have access to a computer during the time the auction closed, but I feel there is an obligation to other bidders to let the auction run to the end. I did, however, give her the link to e-snipe.
posted on October 17, 2000 01:26:10 PM
Usualy the item will end at a higher price than ANY of the "end-it-early" offers. They want to keep from getting into a bidding war with others.
posted on October 17, 2000 01:31:05 PM
I think this happened with an auction I was in the process of trying to bid on Saturday evening. It still had 1 day 2 hours left and I had put down my bid amount. When I was confirming the bid with my ID and password, I was notified that the auction had closed. I was surprised, and it made me feel like I should avoid bidding on this seller's auctions.
posted on October 17, 2000 02:11:29 PM
I had an Old Parker pen on auction once.
Three people asked me to cancel and sell to them. Generally offered me $30-$50.
I was VERY tempted and assumed they were idiots wishing to pay too much.
***
A fourth person emailed me advising me to 'hold on because I was in for a wild ride'.
***
It sold 6 days later for $750.00.
Moral of the story is:
NEVER CANCEL AN AUCTION AT A BIDDERS REQUEST.
posted on October 17, 2000 02:18:04 PM
Every auction I've been asked to end early was politely declined stating "I'm not sure of the market value and would like to let the auction run it's course".
In every case the auction closed for more money than was offered by the bidder wanting it to end early. I was also won by another bidder in every case.
