Listing on Ebay question

[Richard]

Showing my ignorance on ebay here.

I've bought/sold things before so I'm up on how to list and all. What I'm wondering is...

(first, my understanding)

I understand that if you list an object, say a hammer with either a zero starting price or $1.00 starting price, you can still have a buy it now price.

Second: If indeed you HAVE a BIN price at a price (say $15.00) the instant someone opens a bid at the ONE dollar amount, the BIN price goes away.

First question: is the above accurate? (I belive it to be)

Second question: Since we all know someone is out there trying to snipe your item, no "real" bidders are going to bid until the very end. If you have some dufas who bids the $1.00 and subsequently, kills the BIN price can you DELETE their bid and use that or somehow otherwise, re-establish the BIN price?

I like a BIN price even though it might be high to give that person who is looking for a "rare" item and puts owning it over the game of bidding on it.


Case in point... I'm looking to list something that as I understand, only something like 1,000 were made. (quite possibly because no one wanted them!! )

I had it listed a week ago and no buyers although I had about 20 watchers. I might list it again with a lower opening price BUT this time, put a BIN price on it (I didn't do that last time).

Knowing there might be some people who will bid $3.00 on it (with an anticipated BIN price of $1,000) I fear they will kill the BIN and I want to leave that option open for someone who might really be interested in this.

So... can you somehow re-establish the BIN after someone opens a bid or do I misunderstand the process and the BIN will NOT be voided?

 

[cp1969]

You can do a Buy It Now with a "Best Offer" feature as well. I think that will do what you want, it leaves the BIN in place and it gives people the chance to make you an offer and gives you the opportunity to negotiate with the offerer--you don't have to accept his offer (I know because I made an offer on fluorescent light ballasts that was turned down).

 

[Grrrr]

Yes, you are right with the fact that as soon as someone bids the BIN dissapears.

One way around this, and to deter silly bids is to set the starting price higher. Then, someone has to make a serious bid to get rid of the BIN.

I also think that if you put a reserve on the item and also a BIN, the BIN will not go away until the reserver is met. This way, you can start the bidding at whatever you want.

Thats how I would do it.

 

[johnk]

Run a 3 day auction with a low starting bid but set the reserve around what you want to get.

 

[tallyho8]

You don't have to auction it on ebay at all. You can sell it on ebay for a fixed price.

 

[Billfrommich]

Hi
Grrrr is correct.. If you have a reserve on the item the buy it now price will remain available until the reserve is met.