Why can't we know who the watchers are? Can't transparency be created with some rules?

[thriftinpristinmiracles]

Hi Hope you all are fine & safe. 🙂 

Yes I asked this question " Why can't we know who the watchers are? " I know some privacy issues in it but I think a transparency can be created with some rules like for example "A" named watcher comes and we can send her/him offer or contact via Ebay e-mail JUST ONCE unless they request to contact us more. E-bay can show a note to the watchers when they intend to be watcher.

Also I know that she/he has a right to make a general adjustment from her/his account not to have any offer as a watcher. So why is it hidden? what is the secret? Sorry maybe this is too paranoid but are these watchers just there to watch if we are active or what the price is , when the price is down to let their price down at the same product? Ok personally have no problem with the sellers there is a freedom to all of us to search and compare.. But isn't this something like as a seller have no curtains and somebody's watching with binocular? 

As a seller sometimes it is hard to send offers , offers but no result So in this period, when everything is getting harder, I would like to know to who I make offer to -even once-, who comes and go as a watcher . I want transparency about this. What are your opinions? Thank you.

[travis7s]

One thing I noticed is that you can click on 'Review Sent Offers" and it will show some tidbits of information on who you sent it to, most notably their feedback score.

[darak10]

some watchers may be other sellers doing what I am doing - I watch some items I have that are hard to price generally to see if the item goes for the price other sellers are listing it for to figure out what price to set for my own.  I have no intention to buy on 99% of them - although I did recently on one - I'm there for my own reasons, and yes, it is easier than bookmarking the page.  It may create a false expectation on the seller end that there may be interest in it, but as I know from my own seller experience, watchers rarely result in a sale, its mostly a flakey bookmark type category for future potential purchase reference. You can't rely on watcher numbers to gauge interest or sellability.   

[travis7s]

I think watchers are good for interest, even if its your competition it obviously means there is value in your item if they are keeping an eye on it. 

In my experience if I get more than 3 watchers it means its going to sell, I might be priced a little high if its taking a long time.

[all_items_for_sale]

I have the same concern as I had a watcher with no intention to buy no matter how low the price. I have multiple accounts and the watcher was doing this on all of them. This is harrassment and I told ebay that a seller should have the right to know the member ID before you send an offer as you may decide once seeing their feedback that you do not want to sell to them. Ebay can make it clear to members that their ID will be made visible if an offer is sent.

[kh-leslie]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.