Someone is asking 'how much are you expecting'?

jmbau · ‎26-11-2014

I've listed a second hand item for sale and just got a query from someone 'wondering how much you are expecting to get?' Which I find kind of weird - it's an auction, after all.

How would you respond?

(I wrote back and said Why do you ask?)

kopenhagen5 · ‎26-11-2014

I would say -

I am sorry this item is not open to offers, it is being auctioned.

Feel free to place bids if you like. Regards,

collect247 · ‎26-11-2014

Well they just want to know what their up against price wise and if you let them know and they offer you a price your willing to accept then you can always change it to BIN and this buyer can then purchase it,this sought of thing happens all the time,but the transaction must be made within ebay and not outside of ebay.

i-love-my-sheep · ‎26-11-2014

@collective05 wrote:
Well they just want to know what their up against price wise and if you let them know and they offer you a price your willing to accept then you can always change it to BIN and this buyer can then purchase it,this sought of thing happens all the time,but the transaction must be made within ebay and not outside of ebay.

Really? All the time? I've never been sent a message asking what I am expecting for an auction. I would be surprised if many sellers on this forum get these messages 'all the time' either.

I have been asked if I could list as a BIN, but never been asked what I am expecting for an auction.

collect247 · ‎26-11-2014

Yep this happens all the time when your selling collectables as I do

digital*ghost · ‎26-11-2014

@jmbau wrote:
I've listed a second hand item for sale and just got a query from someone 'wondering how much you are expecting to get?' Which I find kind of weird - it's an auction, after all.
How would you respond?
(I wrote back and said Why do you ask?)

"Dear [interested member],

As the final price is determined by the price bidders are willing to pay, which will be unknown to me until the listing ends, I have no expectations other than the minimum, which I have set as the starting price, should that indeed receive a bid.

I hope that helps answer your question.

Kind regards,

[Bemused Seller?]

aps1080 · ‎26-11-2014

Collective

I think you might find a lot of business is done outside of ebay as well.
Ebay does not have a monopoly, especially after the first purchase.

collect247 · ‎26-11-2014

I know that alot of business is done outside of ebay but if either the seller or buyer decide to tell ebay that one of them is trying to do this then the other person will be sanctioned for it if you know what I'm saying

khani808 · ‎26-11-2014

I have been asked this for anything retro/vintage industrial that I sell- I'm guessing people want a ballpark figure to see if they stand a chance in the auction, or in the hopes they can BIN. When I tell them what these have sold for previously/in stores, they always offer me significantly less.

aps1080 · ‎26-11-2014

Collective

Yes, agree.