Posts Tagged ‘Best Offer’

Dear eBay Queen:

I received an offer yesterday afternoon around 2:00PM, I accepted the offer at soon as I checked my email at around 4:00PM.  Here’s a little background information on the item I was selling: It was a
pair of designer jeans. Buy it Now was $499 and he offered me $300. I charged $35 shipping from Canada to USA, which I think is reasonable given the value of the item and next day shipping, etc. I had everything listed for my item – detailed measurements of the size, several pictures, etc. I accepted the buyer’s best offer of $300.  I received this message from the buyer on eBay after accepting an offer on the item I was selling:

I’ve done a little checking, and I think these are my options but I’m not 100% sure.  I’ve been selling on eBay for a few months, so if I have this wrong, please let me know.

·         Do as he says – I'm not sure I would get back my eBay fees since I agreed to cancel – so I won't do that.

·         Follow steps of the resolution center of unpaid item – not sure what happens in this case – best case scenario I get my eBay’s fees returned. – Can I leave a bad feedback afterwards in this case?

·         Tell the buyer that didn't pay I will cancel his transaction AFTER he gives me positive feedback. This way, I cancel the transaction and leave him negative feedback. I don't want to leave him negative feedback as he'll give me negative feedback for NO reason.

Have you ever had a situation like this before? What is the best method? I think doing the second idea is probably best, but the third one may be even better.

Thank you for all your help!

Woody, Ottawa, Canada

Dear Woody:

Well, it’s that time of year. Buyers seem to be a bit strange in January.  Your problem is a common one, I can almost guarantee that.  The buyer should have waited for you to accept or deny the offer they placed.  What probably happened is the buyer made several offers, and some other seller accepted the offer before you accepted his.

Here is eBay’s help page on unpaid items. http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/unpaid-items.html

Here are your options as I see them:

·         You can file an unpaid item dispute requesting the buyer pay for the item. If the buyer didn't pay, you will be credited for the final value fee.  If the buyer does not respond to the case within the allotted time period, he will not be able to leave negative feedback.

·         You can mutually cancel the transaction.  This is where you and the buyer both agree to end the transaction.  The buyer will not have to pay, and you will receive your final value fees back.

Once the case is closed, eBay’s Trust and Safety is automatically alerted. They will note the unpaid items on the buyer's account, which can lead to limits or suspension of their account.

I need to tell you that you can not leave a buyer negative feedback on eBay. It is also against eBay policy to tell the buyer to “leave positive feedback before you will agree to cancel the sale.”  This is considered a form of FEEDBACK EXTORTION and will get you in serious trouble with eBay.  I usually won’t mention feedback at all when dealing with a buyer, unless they mention it first.  I do have selling friends that have no problem talking about feedback.  If your buyer does leave a negative or neutral feedback, you can always leave a "Follow Up" feedback and put in it; "Buyer canceled purchase after making offer."

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 230572362929 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): It’s cold outside and you need a blanket!  Check out this 1880’s Antique Lone Star Quilt made in Pennsylvania. SOLD $2400.00  Check it out HERE 

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com

Dear eBay Queen,

I have some camera equipment that I would like to sell.  There is a certain price that I would like to get for each of my items.  I am trying to figure out if I should just put each item on a Buy it Now, Buy it Now with Best Offer, or auction.

I would like to try selling them at auction, but I am afraid I will get far less for them than I would like.  I put some other things up on a Buy it Now a few days ago, and they sold the next day.  It made me wonder if I could have got more for them than what I listed them for.  I guess that is the risk you take.

If I decided to sell it at auction, should I start it low to gain some interest? I would like to get $500.00 out of one of the items.  What would you suggest?

John P, Olathe, KS

Dear John;

I know the feeling of thinking you sold something for too little! The first thing to do is to look your camera equipment up on eBay.  You want to make sure you are looking at completed listings. This will tell you what the items are currently selling for.  Because of the current state of our economy, this doesn’t mean they are worth that, but it is what the selling price is. 

Currently eBay is running a special for sellers who have Buy it Now’s with Free shipping.  Your listing fees will be cheaper if you go that route. You can even extend your sale out for 30 days, with one listing price. http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200903041438042.html  If this were my transaction I would ask a bit more than what you want say $550 or $600 and put a best offer on the listing. That way, when someone offers 10% off the price, you will still be at the price you had hoped to get for the item.

If you decided to go with an auction, you could always put a reserve on it. That will cost you a bit more money and sometimes can scare a buyer away.  Reserves can make buyers a little hesitant to bid because they don’t think their bid will meet the reserve. 

I hope your cameras and equipment sell for what you want them too!

Dear eBay Queen;

Do you sell clothing? I sell mostly children’s and women’s clothing.  I have been offer free shipping on all my clothing. I think I am spending more money that I need to on shipping by using Priority Mail boxes. I am wondering if there is another option for me besides the Priority boxes?  Also, could you give me a ballpark figure on what I will be spending on these items? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Vintage*Cutie

Dear Vintage;

Yes, I do sometimes sell clothing.  I have found shipping bags are great for a variety of items.  I like to use a couple of different “bag” types for shipping. 

When using Priority Mail, I like the USPS Tyvek bags.  If I am sending something via First Class or UPS, I will use the poly-bags that I can purchase on eBay. There are several sizes and styles to choose from in the poly-bags.  Both the Tyvek and poly-bags are lightweight and a secure way to ship items. 

The poly-bags range in price from $29.00 for 100 bags to $18.00 for 50 bags.  Of course the USPS bags are the best price, FREE.  Most sellers of these types of bags offer free shipping on some and not on others.   Make sure you look at everything the sellers have up for sale before you make a commitment to buy.

Strange eBay item of the week:

 Who would have thought a sweater would sell this time of year? Check out this Ralph Lauren Country Indian Sweater Hand Knit SOLD $810.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350187738430