Silly Offers

[clubesquire]

The scenario:  A rather expensive, but nonetheless very competitively priced item or items, don't sell. They've been relisted a couple of times. In come the offers after the auction has closed. It normally happens with High End items. Silly offers. Not for half of the listed price, but half the cost price.

Who are these buyers who obviously see themselves as our saviours? I make this statement because of the way the offers are often worded. They also seem to be many. How did they propagate? Is there actually a plethora of sellers who will actually succumb to such silliness. I mean honestly, it does take some time to sell some items, but invariably they all sell. It's a matter of matching a buyer with a particular item. But, people who make these offers seem to think we go into desperation mode if an item doesn't sell.

It's just becoming a bit annoying. Once upon a time, in the early days,  I would politely respond  and decline the offers! because I don't like being rude. Now though, I treat them with the contempt they deserve and ignore them. Their offer is rude. Too much time wasting when you are busy.

Perhaps they score more often than I give them credit for. They've certainly got some front and must be watching things very closely.

Melina (having a bad hair day)

[kopenhagen5]

Hi melina,

Probably a little to do with the popularity of Gumtree, many just think they can offer what they like.

There are also buyers make the offer then it's accepted and they message saying, "Oh I didn't realize I had to buy it, I was just making the offer to see if it would be accepted". 

You can set auto reject for offers below a certain amount if you haven't seen that function.

Now though, I treat them with the contempt they deserve and ignore them. Their offer is rude. Too much time wasting when you are busy.

Ah, you're learning. 

[gec2002]

Maybe you could send them a polite message asking which 10% of the item they would like to buy with their offer, or if they would consider including their first born, and if so you would be willing to do a deal.

Besides those silly offers the ones that irrate me are those that tell you that you need to lower your price as XYZ store has it at half your price.  The last one I received I looked up the B+M store price and found an item that I had at less than the store price.  I then suggested that they email the store and tell them they should drop their price, and how much the multinational would appreciate their help with pricing.

[melbourneclearance]

They're here, they have always been here and they will always be here. For me, if the offer is way too low, nowadays I just go "Ha! The nerves!" and ignore it. I used to reply to those but some of them got insulted by my polite (or so I thought) replies. However, sometimes the offer is for some junk that I want to rid off but haven't got around to reducing the price, then I go "Ha ha! The luck!". If the offer is too low, but within what I think is negotiable, then I negotiate, most times this works out well.

[davidc4430]

they are indian call center staff on their lunch break

[clubesquire]

@ Kopes ....

hehe!! Sure am 🙂

[digital*ghost]

I like playing innocent with people like this, sometimes subtly, sometimes less so.... 

eg Sorry, there seems to be a typo as your offer has come through as only $5 (or however much it was) 

Or - if I'm in the mood to hit as many buttons as I can - I might be tempted to send back a melodramatic message that, whilst thanking them for their thoughtful offer, the amount of their offer seems to suggest they're new to the hobby and the lack of understanding of the product has me a little concerned for them. Then I'd go on to say it would be in their best interest to research the kind of products I'm selling and getting some insight on their worth, since in my extensive experience, those who have a sound knowledge in the area are less likely to be taken advantage of by unscrupulous people, and I would hate for that to happen to anyone, least of someone attempting to be most kind and generous as they are. (Add in a "no offence" or "and I mean this with the most sincere intentions" here or there, for good measure). 

[joztamps]

I would make them a counter-offer of twice the listed price, and advise them that all future correspondence should be directed to my agent, Offers You Can't Refuse P/L, aatention Mr M. Gatto.

[kopenhagen5]

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@joztamps wrote:

I would make them a counter-offer of twice the listed price, and advise them that all future correspondence should be directed to my agent, Offers You Can't Refuse P/L, aatention Mr M. Gatto.

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Funny.........but ya gotta be careful using that name. 

[brerrabbit585]

I don't have make an offer on anything.  I used to reply to offers in messages and say sorry but not.  These days I just put them straight on my blocked list.  Do these people do the same in b&m shops or only on ebay where they can do it anonymously?