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I've never sold anything on eBay before. I put my bike up for autcion and I have had 13 queries about a "buy it now price". I don't mind the questions, but I have no idea how much it might go for.
It seems the 2nd hand bike market is going bananas, and I don't really want to do a "buy it now" price, I'm not even sure if eBay rules allow me to agree a fixed price and withdraw it from auction.
Any thoughts?
Now up to 16 "buy it now" queries while typing this email.
Respond to them all saying auction only and let it run. If they genuinely want it they will bid. Lots of grifters out there trying to get it on the cheap and then sell it themselves, once the bidding goes up they will back off.
Letting it runs ensures it is all done through ebay, agreeing sales via messages on the side is a world of problems. Also strongly recommend pick up only, hope you did that.
Yes I'll let it run.
I did say pick up preferred, and there are a few enquiries from local people, I'm in Monmouth, and I'd feel more comfortable doing a face to face deal.
Hold your nerve and tell them it's an auction. It will sell for more than you think. I've just sold a 7 year old basic specialized HT for 2/3 of what I bought it for new. I was bombarded with requests to sell it outside eBay for a lot less than it went for. I looked at the the profiles of most of those asking and surprise surprise, they were selling lots of bikes themselves.
Yep, last night I posted a bike for sale on EBay, for the first time in a couple of years. I am experiencing the same thing as you - loads of pushy messages asking me to sell it now at a stupid price or for a price to sell now. As part of me doesn't want to sell the bike I am content to let the auction run its course.
It does make me wonder whether increased demand on the 2nd hand market will lead to increased bike theft.
If you're not sure of a price just let it run as an auction. Maybe put a note to that effect on the listing to reduce the number of BIN enquiries.
I’m not even sure if eBay rules allow me to agree a fixed price and withdraw it from auction.
eBay will let you send an offer to other users - there's usually a "Reply With Offer" button when you read a message (only applies if the auction has no bids).
I did say pick up preferred
Make sure you have the local collection delivery option enabled and also the cash on collection payment option. There is a scam whereby someone collects in person having paid via PayPal and then claim they have not received the item (no tracking number provided) to get a refund.
Why not ? If you have a figure you're happy to sell it at, then do that ? If you want to potentially be greedy, then wait...but accept there's a chance you'll lose out.
It's not complex is it ?
Hate selling on eBay, much prefer selling on here. That said interest is often quite slow on here so I have resorted to eBay in the past and experienced the same questions as you are getting. You get the option to set a 'Buy it Now' price when setting up the add, personally if you don't have that option on the advert then they should just accept that and bid like eBay was originally intended for.
If you have a figure you’re happy to sell it at, then do that ?
He doesn't.
If you want to potentially be greedy
It's not greedy, it's how auctions work - let the item sell for the 'market rate'.
@weeksy. I agree. I would be embarrassed if it goes for masses, after all it was £1700 in 2014, but I don't want to sell for too little.
I would be embarrassed if it goes for masses
Don't be.. its intrinsic value now has nothing to do with what you originally paid for it (see also: houses, classic cars etc.).
I've had the same - I even had an auction with an actual Buy It Now price and I still got messaged saying do you have a buy it now price??? Well...yeah it's on the auction right there, push the button.
What they really mean is can I have it cheaper. Let it run.
The only reason people ask for a Buy It Now price is that they think they'll get it cheaper.
I have 4 strategies for selling on eBay (have been meaning to write this for someone else for ages)
"commodity' Item that sells frequently (say, an iPhone but could be less common). Either way, there's nearly always a few of them on there, they'll always go for a similar price. Stick it on auction with a low start. You might get a bit more, might get a bit less. If anyone asks for BIN they get a - if you're in a hurry happy to end now and ship to you. Highest price for one of these in the last month was XX. It's yours if you'll match that and I'll ship next day. No one ever takes it up.
New or nearly new item that doesn't sell often. (maybe a pair of winter gloves that don't fit. Something you know someone will need one day). Stick it on for a little less than price from a retailer (you're not giving a warranty) and wait. Sometimes it takes 6 months or more but it will sell
No idea what it's worth but don't want to throw it in the bin. Stick it on at auciton for enough to make it worth going to the post office as starting price (£5?, £1 if it will go in an postbox)
Should be worth a lot of money but hard to sell. This goes for some bikes. Auctions a real risk. Stick it on at a fixed price and sit on it, then start dropping the price each time it expires until it sells. Again, sometimes have to sit on it for a year but end up getting decent money.
Maybe put a note to that effect on the listing to reduce the number of BIN enquiries.
Definitely do this and put in in big bold capitals. Then just delete any Buy It now questions without answering.
My many years of selling stuff on eBay have taught me that people who ask question don't actually buy the items. They are the modern equivalent of those people who used to phone up about your ad in the Free Ads and ask if it was still for sale.
I answer with a price more than i expect it go for, if people can speculatively expect a bargain then I can speculatively try and make some extra money. Has never worked but fingers crossed.
My many years of selling stuff on eBay have taught me that people who ask question don’t actually buy the items
I’ve not found this and tend to ask questions for things I’m bidding on. To be fair this is normally because the description is rubbish though. No frame size or model year for bikes for example.
OP - If you’ve set as an auction with no Buy It Now or Make Offer just ignore the questions and let it run its course.
There was an On One Space Chicken last week that went for pretty much the retail price (at the time)which I always find bizarre for something used. Wait a week and it’ll be cheaper in a Planet X roulette sale .
I answer with a price more than i expect it go for, if people can speculatively expect a bargain then I can speculatively try and make some extra money. Has never worked but fingers crossed.
This is possibly the easiest solution, that or just delete.