Ebay question

[tinman0]

Selling a set of wheels on Ebay, and looking to get back about 1/3rd of what they cost me new, and they've only done about 4,000 miles so are in pretty good shape.

They finish tonight at about 9ish. There are 13 watchers and the bidding is still on the low side, but there are 3 bidders. The high bidder has asked what I'm looking for on the wheels.

Do I tell them, or just let the auction run?

I figure if I tell them, and its too much (which I'm sure it is because people probably think they are about to buy a £600 set of wheels for £70), then they won't bid. And if they don't bid then that leaves one person left, and the auction won't make its reserve.

Or should I tell them?

[SteveW8975]

Tell them what you paid new for them, but that you are leaving them on auction as you have a "lot" of watchers, and a lot of questions about them.

Wish them luck, and wait and see what happens!

The risk of giving a Buy It Now price is that you undervalue the goods, and the buyer knows their true value, besides, it is not right that the buyer is dictating terms of your sale!

[Nolar Dog]

tinman0 said:

Do I tell them, or just let the auction run?

Let the auction run until the end. That's how ebay works.

They'll either make your reserve or they won't. Wait and find out.
I hate it when people end auctions early.

[crackthatoff]

I agree ^^^ let the auction run its course, after all if they do not sell you can contact the bidder and arrange to sell them privately without paying the final value fee

[ali_kat]

Answer when you get home from work this evening - ie after the auction has finished.

If they've not made the reserve, you can make your choice then, if they have sold

[stormin]

Friend put her sons drum kit on last week with a Buy-it Now - and sold it within minutes, now wishes she'd put a reserve on and let it run the auction.

It's the risk you run with an auction, and that's the thing to remember, it's not a just a 'for sale' site.
You win some, you lose some at an auction.

Good luck.

[HOGEPH]

stormin said:

Friend put her sons drum kit on last week with a Buy-it Now - and sold it within minutes, now wishes she'd put a reserve on and let it run the auction.

Well at least she sold it for the price she was willing to let it go for.

[V8mate]

If you already have buyers showing an interest, rather than just 'watchers', I'd definitely say leave it to run. There's clearly a demand for your item and 'scrap' for it will all happen in the last few minutes.

[parakitaMol.]

I've got a similar problem, one of my bidders has mailed to ask if they can buy it now which I'd be happy to do except it doesn't look like you can add that to your listing retrospectively... is that the case or am I being e-thick?

[HOGEPH]

parakitaMol. said:

I've got a similar problem, one of my bidders has mailed to ask if they can buy it now which I'd be happy to do except it doesn't look like you can add that to your listing retrospectively... is that the case or am I being e-thick?

When this has happened to me, I've let the auction run. If they are that bothered, they will bid for it. If no sale, you can always ask them if they are still interested.

[parakitaMol.]

HOGEPH said:

parakitaMol. said:

I've got a similar problem, one of my bidders has mailed to ask if they can buy it now which I'd be happy to do except it doesn't look like you can add that to your listing retrospectively... is that the case or am I being e-thick?

When this has happened to me, I've let the auction run. If they are that bothered, they will bid for it. If no sale, you can always ask them if they are still interested.

Yeah I've taken that stance. Replied to them saying if they can have first refusal if it doesn't sell.

I hate eBay but unfortunately for some items it's still the easiest place to sell things.

[Chris_w666]

parakitaMol. said:

I've got a similar problem, one of my bidders has mailed to ask if they can buy it now which I'd be happy to do except it doesn't look like you can add that to your listing retrospectively... is that the case or am I being e-thick?

I am sure you can add a buy it now but maybe you need to cancel the bids first. If a buyer is 100% going to buy it then close the listing and start it again as a buy it now only item, or with the buy it now price you agreed. Mail them the new item numeber as the item wont appear in search results for a few hours.

[parakitaMol.]

Chris_w666 said:

parakitaMol. said:

I've got a similar problem, one of my bidders has mailed to ask if they can buy it now which I'd be happy to do except it doesn't look like you can add that to your listing retrospectively... is that the case or am I being e-thick?

I am sure you can add a buy it now but maybe you need to cancel the bids first. If a buyer is 100% going to buy it then close the listing and start it again as a buy it now only item, or with the buy it now price you agreed. Mail them the new item numeber as the item wont appear in search results for a few hours.

Thanks, I thought of that but there's no guarantee they will buy it and there are other bids and lots of watchers with 7 days to run, I'm inclined to leave this one. Good to know that things dont appear for a few hours though, cheers!

[Simpo Two]

tinman0 said:

There are 13 watchers and the bidding is still on the low side, but there are 3 bidders. The high bidder has asked what I'm looking for on the wheels.

Do I tell them, or just let the auction run?

Is 'what you're looking for' the same as a reserve? If you haven't set a reserve and the highest bid is £10 then you've sold them for £10... no matter what you hoped for. That's why it's an auction

[npope]

Get your mate to bid on it for you just below price you want

[Nolar Dog]

npope said:

Get your mate to bid on it for you just below price you want

I bet you're one of those that rant about ebay and Paypal too aren't you.