posted on January 31, 2001 12:33:14 PM
I currently have an item on ebay that has a reserve (met).Yesterday I recieved a badly typed email from someone who wanted to buy the item before the bidding was done for a few dollars over my reserve.I told him I could not do that,and suggested he just should bid on it.Ive never had this happen and I wondered if anyone else has had this happen?I could see someone doing that if there where no bids and contacting me afterwards,but not while others are bidding.
posted on January 31, 2001 12:48:58 PM
I list my items at $1.00 with no reserve, average value runs around $90.00 ($15-$600). I've had many buyers contact me and offer a an amount if I end the auction early. I always decline saying I'm unsure of the true market value and without fail someone has bid more than them at the auctions end. If they are offering a payment for you to end the auction early it isn't because they have your best interest at heart.
posted on January 31, 2001 12:50:53 PM
I usually tell the person making the offer that I am selling the item for another individual and that my agreement with the original owner forbids me from selling the item before the auction ends. I invite them to bid on the item at the price they offered me. Nine times out of ten, they do not bid and the final bid is higher than what they offered me.
posted on January 31, 2001 02:49:24 PM
Some of the auction I run have fairly high opening bids. When someone offers me a little less before I have a bid, I have told them that I would sell it to them if it doesn't sell at auction. I encourage them to bid.
It has worked well, especially if I have 2 of the item. Last time I was able to sell one at auction and the second at the same price to the bottom feeder.
