can you bid less than the seller is asking?

[spr177]

can you bid less than the seller is asking?

[toby_le_pue]

NO.

[elly2mbk · Accepted solution]

Hi - It depends on the listing.

If I ask $100 for gold ring and have listed it as a Buy It Now or Best Offer, then you can submit an offer on the ring.  eBay will then notify me that I have received an offer on the ring.  Then I, the seller, look at the offer and accept your offer, submit a counter offer, or decline your offer.

Occasionally, I will receive an email about an item that has closed asking if I would accept an offer.  On occasion, I have agreed to the price, re-listed the item to accept the offer and sold the item that way.

And unfortunately, there are individuals who will follow an item, wait for it to close and then ask for a "discount" because the item is no longer listed.  I don't sell eBay items outside eBay - I value the protection eBay provides.

One more thing:  most sellers are very willing to talk about their items.  It never hurts to contact them.- it's part of the fun of eBay!

elly2mbk

[reallynicestamps]

If the seller has indicated that he will consider "Best Offers" go ahead. He is telling you that he thinks that he has overpriced the item, but is not sure how much.

If the seller has not, he has a firm idea of what he wants for the item. Not only is making an offer to him likely to put you on his Blocked Bidder List, but it may be reported as a Violation. Many sellers have an automatic Block set up against bidders with Violations.

[nubian_treasures · Accepted solution]

A bid and a best offer are two different things so no, you cannot bid less than what the seller is asking. The system will not allow bids less than the starting bid.