Regis Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 I was cleaning out some drawers and through a few things on e-bay. Value (?) $1 to $10 for the whole lot. Could have trashed them but, it gave me a chance to try ebay's new TurboLister beta version. Now, someone has bid far too much and there is a couple days to go. Even though I accurately described them, I just will not take that much. But, how does one resolve this? After bidding completes, I guess I could tell them just to send $5.00. Or, I could add some descent stuff to make it worth the price. I'd appreciate any ideas. Regis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve R. Posted June 8, 2005 Report Share Posted June 8, 2005 I don't know how to handle it e-bay wise, and my first thought is "Caveat Emptor". If your conscience will bother you, you could donate the proceeds to charity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_Rocca Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 It might worth nothing to you, but since they bidded more, that would mean that it worth more and is reasonable price for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 Several times I have had people bid way more than they should. I know that they won't be happy with me when they get the item, regardless of any disclaimers in the description. So, after the sale I just tell them as much and ask if they would be willing to pay a smaller amount. So far, no one has refused the offer, they all have been happy, and my conscience is clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 If you've accurately described the item and deliver as promised, then your responsibilities end there. No one is forcing the bidder to place a bid, they do so at their own free will and are willing to pay the price bid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pahdah_hound Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 This is one of the few advantages a seller has in an auction environment. The possibility exists to get more than you want. I think it is always a good thing to treat all customers well and generously, but perhaps if you got a really good price, you might throw in a few additional items with the disclaimer that you think these things belong together? It would be nice to offer the item to the highest bidder for a reduced price but isn't that a disservice to the underbidders who bid a fair and responsible price? Is it possible that you are not aware of the value of your items? I made an offer on a piece of land several years ago that was listed for $60,000. I offered $100,000 and was out bid by another buyer at $150,000. Obviously the seller and broker had underestimated the value of the property. Realistically, $150,000 may have been too little. Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richf Posted June 9, 2005 Report Share Posted June 9, 2005 My experience with the item in question plus the nature of the bidding and the bidders indicates to me whether the bidding has gone too high. So first off, I'm talking about the type of merchandise that comes up fairly often -- we pretty much know the market for it. If there are only a couple bidders, each with very few past purchases, who chase the price of that type of item into the atmosphere, then the price is too high. When the hysteria of bidding dies down, the buyer will know he/she messed up. For the few times when that has happened to me, I have reduced the price down closer to where most of knowledgable bids were, plus a little -- there has to be some penalty for going crazy. On the other hand, even for the type of item with an established auction value, if there are a lot of bidders with experience, then I'm prepared to accept that the buyers know more than me -- those guys can pay as much as they like. For me, ebay is a hobby, not a business. But even if it were a business, I don't think it would be good business to rest one's profit margin on hysterical bidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skreechee Posted June 10, 2005 Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 I worry about that too. Some guy has just bid on one of my violins. I told him not to as it is a 3/4 and he is a man and it would be too small for him but he insisted he wanted it to play so he bid up to a rather high ammount (not stupidly high but higher than I really expected) and so I have decided to throw in a fullsized bow for him because the violin on its own is just not worth it in my opinion. But then as has been said, one man's junk is another man's treasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted June 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2005 That's basically what I've decided to do after reading the comments. I'll add extra items and a note explaining the over-bid. Thanks all for the ideas & comments. Regis p.s. I'm not the one using regis(some number) as an e-bay name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.