posted on March 3, 2001 10:10:25 AM new
Hi, all--This is my first request from someone to end an auction early. Will ebay frown on this? Penalize me in some way? Throw me in jail?
If not, how do I go about doing this, please? (speak sloooowly--my brain isn't in gear yet today). --Adele
posted on March 3, 2001 10:15:15 AM new
Are you sure you want to do this? EVERY time I've been asked to end an auction early, the item has gone for much more than the offer. They often request to end an auction early, just to knock off the competition and get the item cheaply.
The last time this happened, I would have lost almost $2000.00 if I'd done it. Be careful...
No, as far as I know, it is perfectly ok to do so, as long as they are the high bidder now, so eBay gets their cut. Although, I have found, and from reading this message board, others have found, that generally when someone asks you to do this, and you don't, you usually end up getting a lot more bids and more money than they offered.
Of course, it depends on why they are asking. Usually it is because they want to get it at a cheaper price because they know there will be more bidding at the end. I usually just tell people that it wouldn't be fair to my other bidders.
posted on March 3, 2001 10:23:16 AM new
Hi -Adele
I get this all the time, They want to buy it cheap.
My advice don't do it, I just tell them NO it wouldn't be fair to the other bidders.
Oh and I had heard it all I wont be around when it goes down yada yada, well then put up your best proxy and pray.
Regards Fudd
posted on March 3, 2001 10:45:02 AM new
Ditto the statements above,unless you are in the charity business
[ edited by bobarrett on Mar 3, 2001 10:55 AM ]
posted on March 3, 2001 10:53:17 AM new
I Wouldn't your just cutting your own throat. Your know it's sold, just hang in there you'll more than likely get more bid's!! And they know it, that's why they want you to end it.
posted on March 3, 2001 10:57:09 AM new
Make a counter offer at about 10-15% lower than what you'd expect the final bidding to be. Since you're closing the sale, not ebay, I see nothing moralistically wrong by making the offer and paying less FVF rather than just accepting the lower bid.
posted on March 3, 2001 11:00:19 AM new
Basically I agree with what everyone else has said about ending early. You may get a higher ending price by letting it go....unless you are born under the same sign as me!
I had someone want me to end the auction early. They had not bid yet, but even if they had, I would have told them the same thing.
Auction ended at $50.00 LESS than they had indicated they would be willing to pay!
Win some, lose some. Incidently THEY were the high bidder and they won with a snipe, so I'm sure THEY did the HAPPY DANCE!
posted on March 3, 2001 12:08:40 PM new
Thanks, everybody. Tonytiger, you are *funny*!!!
This is a small, old eggbeater which I listed at under $5 and then discovered that this brand tends to go for just about that much.
The person requesting that I end it early has not bid. There have been no bids as yet. The auction ends in a week. She needs it for a birthday present sooner than that.
So, does it sound okay for me to ask $6 or $7 dollars, when she isn't a bidder, and then end the auction early? Is that illegal?
I've asked her to tell me the latest possible date she would need to have the item sent.. And I thought I could have her overbid wherever the high bid is on that date, then end the auction. Is this illegal? I honestly don't expect to get more than $5 - $7 for this thing, but I want it out of my house! I just don't want to get in trouble.
