General Forum

I know the topic of buying and selling on Ebay is brought up here frequently, so I wanted to get some insight into my recent experience on Ebay. Anyway, here it is: I saw a card on Ebay I liked and the seller provided two options: buy it now or make an offer. Since I am a buyer and wanting a cheaper price (I know that may be cringe-worthy for Ebay sellers, but who doesn't want a cheaper price if it is available?), I decided to offer a cheaper price for the card--about a ten percent reduction--and happily sent my offer to the seller. He quickly declined my offer which then prompted him to chide me for my decision to ask for a lower price, essentially calling me ridiculous for any proposing a lower price. Of course, I just couldn't take that, so I responded by commenting on his poor decision to ridicule a potential customer and asked why he even had the "make an offer" option. I ended by telling him that a simple "decline" would have been better. He then responded to my reply and put me on his "block list" and that I'm the type of customer who is destroying Ebay and that I'm expecting too much for way too little, and that I am basically a lowlife. I replied to that email, but it was more or less that I can find better customer service with other sellers anyway (and some other comments that I will not repeat). Now, my question is, did I break an unwritten rule about offering a lower price for the card? Why put that feature there in first place? Again, I know a lot has been said about Ebay, and in general I find my experience there to be overly positive, so this came as shock, or perhaps I'm just overreacting. Thoughts?

I can't imagine any possible reason why a seller should be ticked off with that. It's his problem - he put the Make an Offer option out there. 

I agree you did nothing wrong with making the offer to what you thought the card was worth.  To me what he did is bad customer service on his part and I would be reporting it to Ebay customer service.  

Recently, I've noticed sellers sending discount offers for cards and other items that have been sitting on my Watch List.  Sort of a reverse "Make An Offer", where the *seller* lowers the price (I've received up to 50% off in some cases) in order to make the sale.

Clearly, the person you dealt with would never consider doing this.  

I've had the same thing happen a lot lately too. My gut feeling is that the seller's may be tight on cash sso are trying to move product. As far as the seller reaction in this case, he was out of line. The only reason why I could see him being upset is if you asked for a healthy, upwards of 50%. When I make an offer I go from between 10-25% depending on what it is, fair value, etc. while taking the seller's point of view on whether the offer is fair.

I make 10% discount offers all the time and have never received that treatment. Most are accepted! Don't let it discourage you. 

I have run into the same situation a few times on eBay. Not that often though. I have also had similar problems on COMC. The difference being, that after declining the offer, the seller raised the price, and on a card that was only a few dollars. More than doubling the price. These offers weren't for "HOT" or current cards either. Cards that have been sitting on the site for months, and longer. I'm talking basically, a no name player, that only played for about 2 1/2 years before getting hurt, and out of the league. They lost a sale every time. Now permanently, as I won't purchase from them now. I just move to the next seller, and get the deal I'm looking for.

If the 'Make an Offer' button is available, I ALWAYS chose that option.  Most of the time, my first offer is between 50 - 70%, just to see how motivated the seller is.  I'm not on eBay to make friends, just to get the cards I want for the lowest price.  The seller has lots of options on eBay to get the price he wants, e.g., set a reserve, set a buy it now price only, or set the opening bid at the lowest price you are willing to accept.   I'm not sure if the seller did enough to be reported to eBay.  Certainly rude, nonetheless.

As one who sells on ebay as well as buying, if my listing has Best Offer, I entertain offers. If I really can't go as low as they are asking, I explain it to them. If it makes sense, I accept. I also use offers on ebay as much as possible as a buyer.

If a seller treated me like that, I would never deal with them ever. COunt your blessings that you're blocked, niw you won't make the mistake of accidently trying to deal with them.

Only time I came close to dealing with a potential customer like that was whjen I had a card listed for less than anyone else on ebay, less than on COMC. I was the lowest price online. I had best offer on the card anyway (knowing I'd drop like maybe 10%). Someone came in offered like 30-40% off. Said no (and why), and they kinda went off on me. We wound up having a tense, but respectful, dialogue, and eventually parted ways peacefully, but it didn't have to be at all.

Ha...it is the complete opposite of my featured seller! I don't think he would ever do that based on my experience. Ironically, I did receive such an offer for a different card probably an hour after dealing with that bad seller. And I have received several offers like that in the past month or so, more than usual.