Ebay - question asked from another abayer...

[spaced]

I have put an item on ebay to sell (auction). The starting bid is at �1.00 and has �1.20 postage, I have not added the "buy now" option. I received a messge from another ebay asking if I would accept �6.50 inc P&P via paypal.

Im happy with thid amount, but what do you suggest I do? Ask him to place a bid knowing that he may lose it if someone bids higher, or shall I add the "buy now" option at �5.30, so that he can buy the item straight away? Is this the norm? I buy alot on ebay but have only ever sold one other item

Help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ta

[Toureman]

If you read the rules on ebay you will find out that if you accept a price through an email privatly and make a deal both the buyer and seller could be banned from ebay.

You could of course revert to buy now, but just leave it as it is, what you should be doing is attracting the highest bid.

[Ethel]

You have had this offer because the buyer is expecting the item to sell for more, and he wants it 'on the cheap'.

I never accept these offers and so far have not lost out..

It's entirely up to you.

[PhilBy]

If you have no bids on the item then as soon ad PayPal payment is received end the auction! This will save you on the final valuation fee but rob you of any feedback.

[crisgal]

once you've listed something as auction you can't add a buy it now option, i'm afraid.

You shouldn't do it, but, if you wanted to go ahead with the transaction, you just close the listing early and sell to the highest bidder - (which will be the person wanting to buy it now). Then you will add �3.50 in the "seller + or -" box on the invoice.

This way, they have paid six pounds, you've ended the listing and you also don't pay as many fees.

not that IVE ever done it, of course!

[crisgal]

sorry �3.80

[PhilBy]

I've not it done either crisgal :-)

[spaced]

you are all, its aginst ebay rules and its morally wrong. I will leave it on the auction and hope it attracts buyers.

[crisgal]

so no stars then?

[spaced]

do you think I should repsond to this guy or just ignore his email?

[PhilBy]

Don't ignore the chap, thank him for his interest but state you will be letting the auction run it's course.

Ending an ebay auction is hardly morally wrong spaced, maybe not 'cricket' perhaps, but when I am talking pound notes (That shows my age)! I prefer to play hard ball :-)

[joko]

morally wrong? jeez...

how exactly? who are you hurting?

[stevie21]

Tell the bloke to bid �5.30 and get a mate of yours to bid �5.10 just to make sure that the emailer's bid is pushed up to the max ;-)
We can't have him getting it on the cheap. That way, if someone bids �6 you win and also, nobody will win the auction at just �3.

Everyone's a winner, baby... hahaha

[camioneur]

<DIV>Like the man said, ebay don't mind ripping you off with seller fees and PayPal fees so I wouldn't worry too much about bending the odd rule! go for it!!

[kempie]

It seems that some people do not understand what is meant by morality.

def: The quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.


Or does morality only come into play where money isn't involved?

[joko]

yes kempie, but where exactly is the morality issue here?

spaced has every right to make a deal with someone that he is happy with - ebay is an internet shop, thats all, it is a way way to sell your belongings, not a cult.

as long as no one is being scammed or ripped off for their hard earned cash, whats the problem?

[kempie]

Standards of right or good conduct = following the rules to which you signed up.

If you do not wish to abide by the Terms and Conditions set down by eBay, do not subscribe to their service.

[kempie]

btw joko, your post seems to indicate you are under the misapprehension that 'morals' (and ethics) are religious terms and do not apply to business.

[joko]

kempie, i know quite well what morals are - or do you need to have everything spelled out for you, and cover every angle for you to understand what people are getting at?

my point is no-one is getting hurt.

[kempie]

Please spell out for me what you meant by "cult".

By all means stick to your "no-one is getting hurt" defence. No injury occurs when someone is gazumped either.

But be consistent and do not advocate acting "in good faith" in other threads.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Internet-and-Technology/Question154424.html

[joko]

oh dear.
I cannot believe that you have searched my other threads about this!
i suggest you re-read spaced original question.
he is merely asking if it possible to add a buy it now option and end the auction early - it is allowed.
no-one is being ripped off or gazumped, no-one is losing out.
it is not the same situation as the other post at all so it was quite a pointless link.
ebay is a shop and spaced is allowed to sell his goods to whoever he chooses, and he is allowed to change his mind on how he does it too.
ebay still get their fees and so do paypal so the transaction works out ok for everyone.
I do take your point that it is not exactly the way the site is supposed to work but as I say, I don�t see there is any scheming or scamming going on. If there were I certainly wouldn�t agree.
and what i meant by cult is that ebay is merely an online auction site, not something you have pledged allegiance to and committed your heart and soul to, so don't worry too much about it.
and of course i advocate acting in good faith!