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 Replies: 16 / Views: 4,095 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
I know it is common for bidders to watch an auction, not wanting to draw attention to an auction they are interested in. Since ebay has been offering free Buy It Now listings, I have been listing coins BIN. I notice they also attract watchers. I have one good 1898 Barber quarter with 3 watchers. It is listed for far below the Numismedia price but a couple dollars over melt. I wonder why people choose to watch the coin. Could they be other sellers seeing if it sells at that price or they just people who are not sure if they want to make a purchase. I could see if I had a best offer option, they could wait to see if it is selling and offer a price much lower. I had one offer at melt, but at that price I would just keep it till silver was high. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3167 Posts |
I sometimes watch a BIN just as a backup in case I don't win an auction I am currently after.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1536 Posts |
I am just wondering because many of my listings are Buy It Now since it is free now. I notice I have several watchers. Sometimes I have watchers and offers but then someone clicks BIN and that ends that.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3167 Posts |
They are good for certain items, but things that are hot and in high demand I would put as an auction, because you will get a price of what people are willing to pay for your item. They set the price instead of you, which, in certain cases, can lead to more than what you would have asked for.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Theres a ton of reasons people watch them. Backup for an auction, not sure if they like it that much, waiting for funds to buy it, considering getting one of those ect. Really anything you can think of its probably a reason for someone somewhere thats watching the auction.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
I have 2 listed on ebay as BIN only. Same thing, lots of views, a few watchers. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
some watch it also to see if it sales and then if not they will see if you will take a lower price. I have had one for a cell phone do that to me with a BIN auction
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
What coins do you think are better listed as a Buy It Now? Coins that usually sell for the same price? I know what you mean, I sold some Morgans that I think would have fetched more money in an auction that I sold Buy It Now, even if I started with a higher bid. One 1921 sold in 5 minutes after being listed, maybe I could have gotten more. It was
XF with a rim ding, I listed it at $31.50 with shipping. I know many like to start their auctions at 99 cents with free shipping in order to attract a lot of bidders and start bidding wars. Of course this can backfire, then you got issues with sellers trying to get out of the sale but that is just wrong. Starting your auction low has its risks.
Edited by buddy16cat
05/11/2013 10:27 pm
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
Many watchers wait to see if you will lower it or add best offer option.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
What if you have a best offer option already? I agree though, there could be all kinds of reasons. They could be watching a few different coins and finally pick one. They could be bidding on a better coin and hoping to get it for the same or lower price as your buy it now. They could be waiting for funds.
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Valued Member
United States
53 Posts |
It could be any number of reasons. Just keep in mind that watchers do not equal buyers. I've had BIN items listed on ebay with 100+ watchers that did not sell. |
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Valued Member
United States
53 Posts |
to see if the item sells, they don't have enough money now and are saving for the item hoping that it doesn't sell, they are waiting on a price drop or a sale, there's a serious issue with the item and they are waiting for the listing to be pulled, they're shopping around and watching every example of an item below a price point, they're planning on listing a similar item later and they're going to steal part of your description, you've made some kind of amusing mistake or have a crazy picture, they're putting together a want list with their watch list, they think that's the purchase button and they will contact you later to find out why you haven't shipped the coin, they watch everything that looks nice just because they can, etc. etc. etc.
Edited by Tetromibi
05/12/2013 10:32 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
And I use "watch" to track a coin to see IF it sells and for HOW MUCH. I am actually watching one in particular: a 1799 dollar. Supposedly "rare" there are always examples available. Many, however, are sub-standard. I have yet to find one which is in the same grade as mine WITH OUTSTANDING EYE APPEAL! Otherwise, I have bid and bought those coins which were too good to let pass by. Every day ebay tells me the latest offerings and a LOT are those are repeats. Oh, I do not distinguish between BuyItNow and an auction. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1080 Posts |
I use the watch option as I'm shopping... I am going through a search result with several dozen entries, I watch the 3 or 4 that seem good so I can go back and choose one. Or I want this coin, I will buy it if I end up with enough PayPal funds from selling other stuff.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3167 Posts |
Hmm.. good point. I forgot I do that too. It is almost subconscious now I guess  . |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
I know watchers don't equal sales, that is why I was wondering. I thought one reason could be someone that wants to sell a similar coin and see if it sells at the price I set. They could of course be interested in the coin. That sounds like one good reason to watch it. Maybe they need that date for their book and waiting for Paypal funds. They could be watching a few and eventually pick one example.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 4,095 |
Posted 05/11/2013 7:24 pm
