Make an offer Insulting

I don't use the "make an offer" any more. They were almost always ridiculous offers, such as $2.00 for $34.00 item! I've decided to list more on auction, thereby setting my own minimum, acceptable price.

I use make an offer for things I just want to move. I think most people are fair.

Hi there! Interesting blog. I personally don't agree however that an offer is dumb simply because it doesn't meet with your approval. An offer is an offer of an interested partys willingness to purchase and is submitted to you for your consideration. I just don't understand how that is insulting.

make an offer means exactly that, if its a problem, don't use it then, thats simple 'eh...lol

When an offer is too low to believe, I only consider the buyer is in lack of basic knowledge of market, price and the products. It's an insult to himself, not to the seller.

I agree that some offers are absolutely ricidulous, but I decline the offer politely and counter-offer by telling them I will take $1.00, or whatever amount I decide off the invoice (shipping or price of item) if they do the buy it now. That has worked well for me, as well as some of the following suggestions: Decline and tell them that you discount shipping generously for multiple item purchases, so they might look at your other listings. A better shipping rate will sometimes encourage people to do the buy it now. Or, if they make multiple offers on various items, accept one and decline the others. Many people will buy some of the other items to get the shipping discount for multiple items because they hate paying shipping for just 1 item. Raise the price a little on the buy it now items so that you have more room to work with the best offer. You may also look through the want it now section, and if you find people who want what you have tell them what amount you will accept for a best offer. Just suggestions, nothing works for everyone. Many offers are ridiculous, but especially with repeat customers, I have found that they are usually quite fair in their offers. I always reply to offers, even silly ones because a polite reply will put the insulting offer back into the prospective buyer's lap. Happy E-Baying to All!

I just wish when an offer, you could counter with one a little more realistic. I think some buyers are sincere, but trying to get the absolute lowest price they can.

Hi, I should have made it more clear. I agree that there are many buyers who are sincere. The items I was referring to for a $1.00 or .50 discount is for crochet, knitting, craft patterns and booklets which have a price ranging usually between 2.00 and 18.00. An offer of .05 for a pattern book is ridiculous, but I have seen some patterns sell at auction for well over $100.00 for a single pattern. Most of my items are listed in my store (about 800 items). For a pattern that I want to sell for at least $3.00, I would put the make an offer price at $4.00 and the lowest I would take would be at least $2.75. So the offer to discount $1.00 if they do the buy it now, is reasonable and does make a difference to the buyer. Keeping things moving out is important also because repeat customers are the best support to keep things going while you build up your business. I agree with you, the counter-offer should be reasonable and fair.

Although it is a great option for some sellers, for our business model, "Make an Offer" simply does not fit at all. We do not use "Make an Offer" and never intend to, because we believe it paints a picture that we are desperate to dump merchandise. That attracts nothing not lowball bidders who are not conversant in the wholesale market cost for the items we sell. We refresh our inventory all of the time with new shipments, and we sell the products at profitable prices off of Ebay everyday...so why would we want to accept nominal offers for products we're selling everyday anyway? Before "Make an Offer" existed and now as well, we receive offers to buy all 3 of an item we are selling in a specific fixed price listing, for as much as 50 to 75% off the fixed price per piece. We explain that we have far more than 3 of the items in stock, and that we have only listed 3 pieces to minimize Ebay listing fees, and that the buyer is free to purchase those 3 and others we have posted in our Ehay store at the listed price which is already competitive. And then we forget about him. There are people who spend hours a day emailing different sellers with lowball offers to buy inventory, and the reason they do this is that some sellers ARE desperate to dump their merchandise, and the buyers are simply looking for the golden opportunity. I remember a 13 year old kid from Florida going back and forth with us a few years ago for cut-rate pricing on gloves that he was thinking about turning around and selling to convenience stores. When he realized the margin was not fat enough, he moved onto a different product idea. Eventually, he settled on buying up production over-runs of VHS tapes at deeply discounted prices. I guess that worked out ok, because there was an article about him in the LA paper a few months ago (I remembered his name because it was unusual) about the huge business he had created through his diligent pursuit of making lowball offers to businesses carrying huge