posted on November 25, 2002 07:39:41 PM new
I would like to know what everyone does about the people who contact them to buy after an auction has closed (with no bids).
I have been telling people I don't feel right doing that as there is no way to pay Ebay for their commission. Usually, I also tell them I will relist and let them know. Recently someone got a little upset that I stated that position.
This has probably been asked and answered several times on here but I would just like to get some input.
posted on November 25, 2002 07:51:52 PM new
I get emails from bidders saying, "since your item didn't sell at $xx.xx would you accept $x.xx plus shipping for it....My response is NO.
If the item didn't sell on Ebay & I have it listed in my AW store, I'll drirect them to purchase the item via the store.
Don't know what I would do if they offerd to purchase the item at full price after the auction closed.
But since if you relist a closed item & it sells, the relisting fee is refunded, I would probably direct them to purchase the relisted item.
posted on November 25, 2002 08:27:36 PM new
It is your business, not eBay's. If you're in the business to sell, what difference does it make if eBay doesn't get a cut of your business ?
Anyone that contacts me with an acceptable offer, we transact.
posted on November 25, 2002 08:31:40 PM new
I've had people ask this.
I inquire if they really want it, if so I relist with a BIN then use the: Email this auction to a friend option to let them know it's up.
It has worked well so far!
The only ones who will not do it, are people who have been NARU'd. Don't want to deal with them anyway!
[ edited by dadofstickboy on Nov 25, 2002 08:34 PM ]
posted on November 25, 2002 10:09:49 PM new
I'll sell it to them in a heartbeat. It makes no sense to relist it when the FVF can be skipped. Ebay makes tons of money of the sellers as it is, any time a seller can deal ebay out of the hand it's a bonus.
posted on November 25, 2002 10:24:09 PM new
I feel the same way, I don't like paying ebay fees, but I try to play by the rules. It just doesn't seem worth it to risk being booted for a few bucks. What if the person buying is your competitor, and the information gets given to ebay?
posted on November 25, 2002 11:04:48 PM new
I WOULD LOVE FOR ANYONE TO REPORT ME TO EBAY FOR SELLING OUTSIDE OF THE EBAY SYSTEM AND FOR EBAY TO TAKE PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST MY BUSINESS.
I WOULD JAM A CLASS ACTION SUIT SO FAR UP EBAY THAT MEG WOULD JUMP OFF HER SEAT.
EBAY CAN AND RIGHTLY SO CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS ON THEIR SERVERS, BUT THEY HAD BETTER NEVER INTERJECT THEMSELVES BETWEEN ME AND ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS OR TAKE PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST MY BUSINESS FOR SELLING TO ANY BUYER THAT DIRECTLY CONTACTS ME, REGARDLESS OF HOW THE CUSTOMER GOT THE CONTACT INFORMATION.
posted on November 25, 2002 11:53:44 PM new
I do play by the rules just because of the self policeing some do, you have seen them here on the AW threads, it's there game to bust anyone who does anything wrong,even an honest mistake, but if it is in your store and you direct them there... no rules broken and you get the money.
I won't be off ebay for a few cents either, to many wacko's out there that would have you NArud for the fun of it.
posted on November 26, 2002 12:09:31 AM new
Well, you certainly could sue them, but over the next few years at least you would not be selling on ebay. Plus I don't think it is as clear cut as you present it, since I am sure it is in their terms of service that if you contacted about a transaction on ebay, you can't take it off ebay. We all would love to do it, but it really does not seem worth it - But that is just my opinion.
posted on November 26, 2002 01:42:34 AM new
I think eBay would have a legitimate gripe if you as a seller intentionally pulled an auction and then sold the item on the side to side-step the FVF fees.
On the other hand, if the item ran its course and didn't sell, and then an interested party emails you for a possible transaction on the side, I don't see the harm in that.
I've sold a few things that way, on the side, and everything has gone smooth. The potential risk in an on-the-side transaction is for the buyer, not the seller. The seller is in the position of power because he/she sets the price, has product in hand, and can just sit back and wait for the $$.
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
posted on November 26, 2002 02:51:48 AM new
I recently did just this, not as seller but as buyer. I was watching an auction in order to bid as near the end as I could (not a sniping master here). My granddaughter had her baby the day the auction ended and I missed the bid.
I emailed the seller and stated the problem, asking if she would either sell it outright or relist with a BIN that I could use. She/he offered the item to me for opening bid plus shipping and we are all happy with that deal.
Ebay lost about 30 cents on the auction. BooooHooooo!
posted on November 26, 2002 04:55:46 AM new
Wow!! Some varied and intersting answers.
STill, does anyone know if Ebay has a position on this?
As I told the person who was a little miffed at me for not doing it, I don't have time to worry about other people's guilt - my own is a full time job.
I never had a problem before stating my position, still don't, but I was surprised at the attitude of the proposed buyer.
Why if you are willing to relist it and notify them does that not take care of the situation? I have had some do just that.
Thanks everyone for your input - but I'm back where I started - so do and some don't.
posted on November 26, 2002 05:15:30 AM new
I don't see how you are violating any of Ebay's rules. The auction is over. You've paid your listing fees. You did not contact this person, he or she contacted you. Unless I'm missing something (and PLEASE feel free to correct me), it's really none of Ebay's business what you do outside of their auction format. I believe that if you would have contacted this person yourself using Ebay to get the email address, then you would be in violation of Ebay rules. I'd go ahead and sell. I've done it. Personally, I know that I've missed out on auctions because I was away at the time the auction ended. And, I've had plenty of people email me once an auction has ended. It depends on how badly you want to move your items, I guess.
posted on November 26, 2002 06:05:17 AM newAnyone that contacts me with an acceptable offer, we transact.
Yep...
It also seems like you really are not the type of seller to do this, if you need to come to message board and ask. I would just keep doing what you are doing, you seem to be happy with that so far.
posted on November 26, 2002 07:28:21 AM new
looking at eBay's help for fee avoidance - I am thinking that this only applies if the seller initiates the transaction. Is that right?......
Here's what eBay says...
· Using member contact information obtained from eBay or using any eBay feature to offer to sell any listed item outside of eBay
· Canceling a listing to sell the item to anyone who contacted the seller through eBay, or became aware of the item through eBay
· Ending a listing early to sell the item at a higher price to the winning bidder
· Using member contact information obtained from eBay or using any eBay feature to offer to sell an item outside of eBay to any of your bidders in a Reserve Not Met listing.
· Using member contact information obtained from eBay or using any eBay feature to sell duplicate or additional merchandise outside of eBay to underbidders
· Listing items in a manner that allows circumvention of eBay fees.
posted on November 26, 2002 08:29:44 AM new
Reamond
I think you need to read some of Ebays rules about dealing with buyers who approach after a sale that ended without a bidder. Its like looking at a house listed with a realtor and then going back after the listing is up.
Doan
posted on November 26, 2002 08:54:44 AM new
I'm not risking losing a sale just so ebay can earn a commission. Fact is, if an item fails to sell during the auction, ebay loses the right to a commission. I'm not soliciting buyers, they are coming to me.
posted on November 26, 2002 09:19:51 AM new
"You never know who is making you the offer."
Yes you do because they have to ask through the ebay mail system with their username and email listed. From there you can check their feedback and what types of items they buy and/or sell. You can get their address and see if it says Santa Clara California or a neighboring area, where ebay employees are likely to live.
If a competitor is reporting you, you can sue them. You're not doing anything illegal so you have the right to be be compensated for any losses you may incur from someone trying to damage your business with deceitful purposes.
If ebay considered self policing itself, do you think they would do random checks trying to get some sellers into trouble? Don't you think that would be counterproductive losing thousands of listings income over a .50¢ commission?
If you make a few off ebay deals, you're not going to be a target of a stakeout.
posted on November 26, 2002 09:24:06 AM new
I have been selling off Ebay any item that does not sell in an auction, if the mood strikes me.
Recently I listed a magazine lot of 8 issues. The winning bidder paid the full amount but only wanted one magazine from the group, lives overseas and the shipping would be $32! I contacted one of the losing bidders and offered to send the other 7 to her for the price of shipping (just to get these magazines out of my house!) Ebay gets FVF, winner gets one issue, I get my money and do some housecleaning, everyone's happy, right?
I've also offered to sell a similar collectible to a winning bidder of an auction in addition to what he won.
I really don't understand what the problem is here. Is it spelled out exactly in ebay's rules? I haven't ended an auction early to avoid the FVFs, ever. But if something doesn't sell on ebay, in my view it's the venue's fault for being so huge, having so few characters for the title line, etc. etc., and I will go ahead and do the above. Only have done it a few times in 4 years, because most of what I list sells.
posted on November 26, 2002 09:24:38 AM new
Those that fear being booted off ebay for an outside-of-ebay deal are being unrealistic.
If a competitor turns you in for trying to make an offsite deal it is his word against your word just like the picture theft issue on ebay.
I estimate that for every million dollars that ebay makes there is at least $200,000 made offsite but sellers that ebay gets no part. Much of selling on ebay is making contacts with buyers and trying to sell them other goods offsite and making them a steady customer.
Jaime, the owner of AuctionPie once posted that for every ebay sale he tries to generate at least two non-ebay sales. I feel that type of business tactic is very common on ebay and ebay knows it and also knows it can do every litle to stop the practice.
posted on November 26, 2002 09:44:26 AM new
"If a competitor turns you in for trying to make an offsite deal it is his word against your word."
Not if you use email.
Ebay is not interested in stopping sellers from generating sales leads. Afterall, they do allow you a link to your website, in your listing, even if it has the same item for sale there, and long as it is the same or higher price.
posted on November 26, 2002 10:10:38 AM new
"Listings can't refer to or promote the seller's individual Web site, off-eBay sales or other businesses. On the eBay About Me page, however, the seller may promote their individual Web site or business."
posted on November 26, 2002 10:22:52 AM new
This is how I look at it
If you want to do it, go for it. I'd rather not.
I compare it to this: Right now, the penalty for driving 45 in a 35 zone is a traffic ticket. It will cost me a few bucks, and it might even raise my insurance, but I will move on and probably continue going that speed, because even if a cop sees me, I may not get a ticket.
What if the penalty was if I was speeding, I lost my driver's license forever? I probably would think twice about speeding, and think the extra minutes it took me to get there was worth it to avoid what would be a permanent problem.
My average sale is under $20. If someone contact me via ebay, I will give them their $1. Now, once I have the customer outside of ebay, I can direct them to my website (and I do) and can do whatever I want. To me, I draw the line on something that was listed on ebay, and something that wasn't, I once turned a $5 sale into a $300 sale at my website, and ebay does not deserve a penny of that action.
posted on November 26, 2002 10:32:49 AM new
What if there was there was a law for speeding and they took you licence away if caught, but there are no cops enforcing the speed limit?
Statistically, you have zero chance of getting caught despite what the penalty is.
posted on November 26, 2002 10:39:43 AM new
Ah, but that's the rub - Yes, your chances are very, very small - perhaps zero. Maybe you can do it for 40 years without getting caught. Maybe you get caught tomorrow. With a harsh penalty, it's just not worth it. If it was a 30 day suspension, or a slap on the wrist, then sure it is worth it.
Sniping works up a thirst"