Do 'offers' originate from sellers or from eBay?

[ambercat16]

I'm referring to the offers sometimes received when you have an item in your watched list.

The reason I ask is I have two items I'm watching that I have asked the seller a question about (measurements for clothing).  I asked the question four days ago and haven't received a reply yet however I have received an offer of a discount for both items (offer was received a day or so after I sent the message and started watching the items) . 

I did send a second message to the seller explaining that while I would like to take advantage of the offer, I wasn't prepared to buy until I was sure the garments would fit me.  Both offers have now expired and still no reply to my question from the seller.

I'm not really worried as I know this is a very busy period for some people - just curious to know whether it would have been the seller who made the offer or eBay (possibly without the seller's knowledge?)

[twyngwyn]

As sellers (I have never used it) we get a number of watchers….ie……I have 95 watchers at the moment. EBay regularly sends me blurb to start a campaign, accept offers, where they will ask watchers to make an offer (usually with a discount) …..BUT, the seller has to agree, and stipulate the discount.

Like I said I’ve never used it….probably won’t until I’m ready to ‘leave the site’…..and btw, sellers can’t see who’s watching. I’m sure a lot of mine are other sellers with the same item…..

[*casey*]

The seller will have "automatic offers"  turned on

Many  sellers don't even realise , or forget,  they've turned it on  and then query why their listings sold for less when the buyer accepts an offer

https://www.ebay.com.au/help/selling/listings/selling-buy-now/adding-best-offer-listing?id=4144&srsl...

[springyzone]

I think the occasional offers I receive are from the sellers themselves but as others have said, I don't think the sellers know who their watchers are. They just agree to send the offer and it goes to all watchers of that item.

I know in the message with the offer, there is always a note from ebay to be quick as it  might sell to someone else who received the offer too.

I don't get offers on all the items I might be watching from the same seller. I assume some sellers do it when they want to move that stock. I like offers, they often tempt me to buy.

[chameleon54]

Sellers can opt to turn on an automatic offer sending icon. Not sure how it works, I,ve seen it but never used it.

I do send out offers regularly. I can either chose a certain percentage ( say 20% off ) on all eligible items or manually scroll through a list of items that are eligible and send different offers for each item. Once offers are sent, an item may not be eligible to send another lot of offers for some months. This is probably why buyers get offers on some items, but not others from the same seller.

This may also be to encourage sellers to permanently reduce the price of slow moving stock for all buyers, not just watchers.

Offers work well and get quite a few sales when price reductions around 30% are offered.

[ambercat16]

Yeah, I like the idea of offers and welcome them when I get them. My query is really how a seller can make an offer to me on an item but not take the time to answer the question I asked about the exact same item. 

Looks like maybe the seller isn't always aware of the offers being made

[domino-710]

Seems so Amber.

Interesting question.

As a seller - I'd have to agree to any discounts offered.

[springyzone]

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@ambercat16 wrote:

Yeah, I like the idea of offers and welcome them when I get them. My query is really how a seller can make an offer to me on an item but not take the time to answer the question I asked about the exact same item. 

Looks like maybe the seller isn't always aware of the offers being made

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It's a bit odd, isn't it!

I don't buy into the argument that it is a busy time as an excuse for a seller.

If they have things listed, they should be prepared to monitor their account.

It would be great if we had some way of seeing if our messages have actually been read or not.

If yours have been read and there has been no answer, I wonder if the seller is just reluctant to commit to being too exact in her measurements. Bit silly if so.

[shoppingbag*]

There is a setting where the Seller can make offers to all who look.  Those are sent out automatically to current and any future lookers.

[shoppingbag*]

I do not deal with Sellers who cannot bother to answer questions.  They will only cause you further headaches after you buy.  It is just not worth the hassle.  My advice is, they don't deserve your money, buy elsewhere.