Denied ... *sob* ... (I'll get to that part eventually!)
May 5, 2015 16:03:03 GMT -5
gingerkid, 1dave, and 1 more like this
Post by captbob on May 5, 2015 16:03:03 GMT -5
Let me preface the following with the fact that I despise the Make Offer option on eBay auctions. My contempt for the Make Offer option is only slightly greater than the disdain I hold for Reserve Price listings, which is another idiotic game in my opinion, but the Make Offer shall be the prime subject matter of today's rant.
So... I spend quite a bit of time on eBay searching for treasures that I would like to possess, the vast majority of which are mineral in nature. Usually, this involves finding an item of interest and placing it on my Watch List to be mulled over and possibly bid on in the final seconds of the listing if it still appeals to me.
Unfortunately, on rare occasion, I find that the listing of an "item of interest" has been set up by the seller to allow for a Buy it Now* price AND includes the option of Make Offer. For those that don't do the eBay thing, there can not be a Make Offer option unless there is a Buy it Now price.
*Don't get me wrong here, I don't mind a fair Buy it Now price on a listing. Saves me a bunch of time.
Anyway, back to the Make Offer topic. Often, when the Make Offer option is present, the accompanying Buy it Now price can be a bit - shall I say... unreasonable.
I believe that the seller is "fishing" here. - for a sucker!
Okay, all's fair in love and war I reckon. And, after all, there's some old adage regarding one being born every minute... of which eBay most likely has more than it's fair share amongst its users (just sayin').
Is it fair to hold it against the seller that he/she has cast a line towards the lower end of the gene pool by going with a Buy it Now and Make Offer format when sucker fish abound?
Probably not. I have zero problem with what someone else pays for an item. Maybe they consider the value of the item to be higher than I do.
That's not my issue.
MY loathing of the Make Offer option doesn't kick in until I am interested in the item.
(You need to understand, this is all about ME!)
Now... upon seeing there is a Make Offer option on a listing, one must logically assume that the seller is willing to take less than the Buy it Now price for the item. WHY ELSE would the Make Offer be there??
We're going here on the premise that this is an item that I want beyond just "uh, I wouldn't mind having that". If it's even a border line "I might want that" item, I'm moving on. The seller has already lost me.
SO. I want it. And assuming that I am not worried about some schmo coming along and hitting the Buy it Now - thus stealing MY treasure (remember, it's all about me) I now have to play a ßπ¢éΘ¿¥ STUPID game to find out how much the seller will lower his/her price from the Buy it Now amount.
Do I come across as someone with the time or desire to play games over the price of an item?
Well, okay, maybe I have the time. But certainly NOT the desire.
I KNOW they will take less, but how much less?
I don't even like most people and now I'm supposed to be nice and banter over the price of MY rock with some doodyhead in Timbuktu, Minnoconsinfornia?
grrrrrrrr...... I think not.
Reserve Price listings have the same effect. EITHER start the auction low and allow the market to decide what your item is worth OR have your opening bid amount at the least amount you are willing to take.
None of this: "nope you have not big high enough yet" CRAP.
I feel better now...
As to this thread's subject line matter -
Found a listing yesterday for a small (less than 2 inch?) piece of hematite. I collect hematite.
This piece is pretty UNremarkable. (trust me on that if you don't collect hematite)
I'll give it that it's kinda cool, but nothing to even look twice at.
Seller has a Buy it Now of $4,999.00 (really - BUT shipping is free!) AND the Make Offer option.
I thought it over and submitted what I considered a fair value offer.
Fifteen Dollars.
The seller turned me down. Rejected my offer. Declined my best Make Offer bid.
I feel as though I have been spurned and rebuffed. Denied and dismissed even!
seller ---> <---me
So... here's the listing should anyone else care to make the seller an offer:
www.ebay.com/itm/191558902385?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D191558902385%26_rdc%3D1
TYVM