Haggling With Sellers/Buyers, Buy It Now / Best Offer

I absolutely love that this topic was started. I have such an issue with ebay's "best offer" as a buyer, although as a seller, I would argue it is a good tool, but more often than not it is a roadblock to successful ebay transactions.

Some would argue, that I am quite skilled at the dance of negotiation as it is a requirement in my professional life. Putting a negotiation on ebay, I can guarantee you there is usually no rhyme or reason LOL.

First things first, you can not allow the negotiation to be emotional. As a seller, you are bound to receive offers that are insulting. I have listed two items in my ebay life with a best offer. One was a non numismatic collection I wanted 3100.00 for. I didn't get one offer above 100.00. Eventually relisting it at auction it sold for 3900.00. Second was a 1931-S with a buy it now of 135 which was FMV, I received one offer of 80.00 countered for 127 and never heard back. Next day a buyer purchased it without even making an offer.

NOW... here is what I hate! Just a few days ago a seller had a 1970 small date proof PF67RD (not cam or deep cam) listed. FMV is 80 something... his buy it now was 279.00. I offer 70, knowing now that his counter MAY come back at actual FMV, which to be honest I would have paid + 10 percent if he had asked as I really wanted the coin. He comes back at 269.00. I kindly counter at .99 cents with a nice note telling him what his coin is worth.

IMHO, he either doesn't want a sale, or he is preying on the less savvy.

I consider those sellers to automatically be ones who are looking for someone to take advantage of and wouldn't buy anything from them.

Had to vent... sorry... this always bothered me... LOL

I used to work in a jewellers shop and have bought and sold lots of watches in the past. Generally as a seller I won't haggle on cheap stuff, I give a fair price and it is take it or leave it. More expensive items really it depends what it is (in the secondhand Rolex or Cartier market really trade prices are so close to retail value that it isn't really possible to haggle but on some other brands trade is far below retail and there is room to do a deal)

Very often I will not use the "make an offer" button as a buyer... either the price is good and I want the item enough to buy it or it isn't. I would only bother to haggle on a sizable purchase (both on the bay and in real) in both cases I offer immediate payment (cash in real as often people will avoid tax if they can) also it pays to be particularly polite when haggling, I often refused sales because the haggling was too aggressive and I didn't want to do that customer any favours because they came across as rude.

It pays to shop around and give the seller the oppertunity to beat someone else price, and to make ludicris low offers is generally a waste of time unless you are in a much superior bargaining position (like in the jewellers shop when the customer is plainly desperate to sell something)

Coins/notes are a hobby to me, not something I am trying to make a living at. Therefore I can pay a little for convenience, a little over on something I particularly take a shine to or something I am desperate to aquire. It doesn't mean I am willing to be ripped off but it means that I wont quibble over cents.