eBay

ricarmic · ‎10-09-2019

I've been reading mixed results from offer senderers so I thought it would be worthwhile to experiment with it myself.

I sent 5 offers on Monday, all for items that have been running for at least 5 years.

I sent 5 more offers on Tuesday some multi items, some more recent (only a couple years old).

On Tuesday one of the Monday offers lots sold (it was a 5 year listed item).

I expected response from the Tuesday items because they've been more popular and some had a decent number of watchers, but no purchases yet.

This is when I had the realization that the offers (I believe) expire after 2 days, so I'm covering a Monday through Wednesday timeframe. I fell into the trap of starting them when convenient for me instead of when they are likely to be noticed by potential buyers.

So the next batch I will start on a Saturday, as Sunday, Monday are likely a better time window for my (stamps) crowd.

I'm actually still happy with only a 10% response, things have been very slow this week and selling something that's been around for 5 years is great, and the time to send the offers is not very large.

I'll advise as I have news and or any other things I think of to add.

2nd-time-around-jewelry · ‎10-09-2019

I thought I would also try sending offers to watchers. I sent at least 30 offers in the last few days & sold 3 items. One buyer even thanked me for the offer. But I realize that the vast majority of watchers are not interested in buying at all, but are just keeping track of the item for whatever reason. I think most are sellers watching to see what the item sells for. I know that is the main reason why I am watching most items. The odd time I am interested in buying it. And yes the offer only lasts for 2 days.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-09-2019

Has anyone noted on offers they've randomly received if they included a personalized note? It's possible some don't bother to include, but just wondering. My reason for asking...Not sure if any offers I have sent that part does displays.

-Lotz

teenytrinkets · ‎10-11-2019

Yep, at least 50% of my watched items are things I'm selling! 🙂

I'm going to experiment with offers this weekend!

rosscd57 · ‎10-11-2019

Just to be clear - a seller who accepts or sends offers, is telling buyers that the listed price is no good and the seller knows they are not going to get it.

So - from the buyers perspective - is the price inflated, is the item damaged, or is the seller stupid?

If a seller will take less than an item is worth and their are lots of reason for that, why not just declare a sale with a percentage off the actual price.

__________________________________________________________

Old enough to know better. Young enough to do it again. Crazy enough to try

daisydaisy999 · ‎10-11-2019

I didn't realize that is was available to Canadians now so I gave it a try - I had one offer accepted followed by a request to cancel because she didn't understand that accepting meant she was buying it... and then for one other offer I got a message saying they would like to buy but don't have any money and could I make the price even lower... I'm declaring this a bust!

ricarmic · ‎10-11-2019

Keeping in mind I live in the collectibles world, I see this perhaps from a different perspective.

I see it as an acknowledgement that the watcher has perhaps expressed interest by watching it, and I'm willing to adjust my price to coax them to complete the sale.

Some portion of watchers are interested but the price is perhaps what has them sitting on the fence.

In my own case, as I mentioned, I'm so far focusing on old long running items. The older the item the higher the discount I am offering.

Last year I did employ the use of sales using the same concept, the oldest stuff got the highest discount (35%) up to the newer old stuff which was 10%. At one time I experimented with having 50% of my items on sale. Views were up, and initially so were sales, but over time the sales volumes diminished and I was simply giving a discount to someone who probably would have paid the original price, so I stopped running sales at that point. (I think it is the same concept as here, watchers/regular visitors to my store noticed that my items went on sale and that prompted the purchases of stuff they had been thinking of, after the initial discovery by them there wouldn't be extra sales prompted). I did have one or two buyers who ONLY purchased on sale items, over an extended time frame.

Earlier this year I ran an experiment with the old stuff putting higher than trends promoted listings, that also caused an initial surge of views but next to no sales.

It will be interesting to see what this ends up doing.

As I've said before, continual experimenting is a very important thing to do......

nostalgicaftertaste · ‎10-12-2019

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
Has anyone noted on offers they've randomly received if they included a personalized note? It's possible some don't bother to include, but just wondering. My reason for asking...Not sure if any offers I have sent that part does displays.

Left a comment about this in another thread. So far, it appears that personalized messages are not showing up in the offer email.

jolp_emporium · ‎10-12-2019

That's a good tip, sending the offers on days more likely for people to be checking eBay.

I sent offers when I first notice the new option and almost immediately got sales from it. Then on Thursday I sent a new bunch of offers and got no sales from those.

Next time I'm going to put more thought into what day, and time for that matter, I'm sending the offers on.

katlover1952 · ‎10-13-2019

I have sent out half a dozen & have not had any acceptances. I am also wondering where does it tell you that you have sent offers. I kept track of mine cause I was not sure where to look for them. So far have not sold anything via offer. My items are mostly smaller priced items though so knocking a dollar or 2 off probably isn't that big a deal for buyers. So far it has been a bust for me.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-18-2019

In doing a bit more exploring with send offers checked out the Send Offers -- Eligible tab and discovered I was able to send offers to 5 items without watchers. After sending a test offer it states under the Review offer tab that an offer was received by 0 (zero) potential buyers. and now only 4 items I can send to items with 0 (zero) watchers. Unsure if that would be considered an interesting or outright bizarre feature?!?! Still unable to review amount of offer or the date offer was sent by clicking on that Review Offer tab. Begs the question, if you send an offer to a 0 watched item does anyone see it.....In the forest?

-Lotz

teenytrinkets · ‎10-19-2019

I'd also like to see a list of sent offers. I sent about 20. I have an idea of the $$ value ofv the offers, but I don't know for sure.

I got one accepted offer out of those 20. I guess I can't complain! 😉

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-26-2019

tyler@ebay

Just received a random offer from a buyer. Expires in 23 Hours 58 minutes. Listing ends Nov 19th. I thought offers were 48 hours. Sent out offer weeks ago using feature but no nibbles.

-Lotz

esclyons · ‎10-26-2019

i have found some offers from usa residents, expire in 24 hours, and Canadian ones are 48 hours.

sylviebee · ‎10-26-2019

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
tyler@ebay

Just received a random offer from a buyer. Expires in 23 Hours 58 minutes. Listing ends Nov 19th. I thought offers were 48 hours. Sent out offer weeks ago using feature but no nibbles.

-Lotz

Buyers are presented with a list of options which allows them to choose how long the offer will be good for.

2nd-time-around-jewelry · ‎10-26-2019

I have had over 100 watchers & have sent offers to a lot of them in the last few weeks. I sold 7 items that way. I guess that is better than nothing. But sales have not been great otherwise. Sold 2 other items at regular price.

tyler@ebay · ‎10-28-2019

Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies - @sylviebee is correct, that buyers are able to select an expiration time frame for their Best Offers: 12, 24, or 48 hours. Glad you were able to get to it!

Tyler,

tyler@ebay · ‎10-31-2019

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

In doing a bit more exploring with send offers checked out the Send Offers -- Eligible tab and discovered I was able to send offers to 5 items without watchers. After sending a test offer it states under the Review offer tab that an offer was received by 0 (zero) potential buyers. and now only 4 items I can send to items with 0 (zero) watchers. Unsure if that would be considered an interesting or outright bizarre feature?!?! Still unable to review amount of offer or the date offer was sent by clicking on that Review Offer tab. Begs the question, if you send an offer to a 0 watched item does anyone see it.....In the forest?

-Lotz

Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies - I heard back from the product team on this and it's a case of unclear and confusing wording.

When you're able to send an offer on items with 0 watchers, you're sending offers to folks who have had your item in their shopping cart for 5 days or longer but who may not necessarily be watching the item.

I've gotten the feedback to the team that this is definitely not what's being presented and they're evaluating ways to make it clearer. Thanks!

Tyler,

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎10-31-2019

Hi tyler@ebay

Definitely not what I was thinking what was going on. Personally for me some sort of a log for sellers sending offers that includes date(should be 48 hours on seller side) and amount offered would be most helpful. Thanks for your digging and clarification.

-Lotz

PS. From my view I have never been able to send an offer when there is 0 watchers. Only when there are watchers and then again just to any new watchers that get added. As for cart, no idea.