Today i learned you can bargain on ebay! - YouLookFab Forum

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Today i learned you can bargain on ebay!

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Maybe this is not news to anyone but it was to me!

A few weeks ago the Desigual coat of my dreams and in my size popped up as a Buy It Now on Ebay. The price was pretty high and the seller had listed no returns so i hesitated and just kept it on my watch list. A few days later someone bought it and when i clicked on the auction to look at it i noticed it had sold for A LOT less than the But It Now price!! I immediately sank into a tragic depression and consumed a tub of ice cream.

But then i started thinking....can you just message sellers and offer then different prices even when they don't have a "best offer" price listed?!

So 2 days ago, i did on a different Buy It Now auction. And the seller consented! Happy!

Now i just need that Desigual coat in my size to pop up again... >.>

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from rosee

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

There is an option for sellers on Buy it Now auctions that includes "or Best Offer". These are open to negotiation.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have done this. I messaged the seller because we both lived in FL and we haggled the shipping cost down and were both happy with the result.

MNsara

Veteran

Yay! I figure if you politely ask, they shouldn't be offended, they can always decline -- and you never know if maybe they are wondering anyway if their price is too high

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

First, Nicoleb you must be feeling very very happy

second, totally agree with MNSara! i'm trying to sell a completely fashion-unrelated item right now, and it is close to impossible to get any pricing info. so i've just started high, and will come on down (since no one bit at this price). i actually wish more people would start a negotiation (besides the one woman who had no idea on earth about what she was trying to buy). For unusual items it can be a real bear trying to price. Good thread! steph

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Good to hear Steph! I was a little nervous about doing it at first -- i didn't want to offend the buyer! So like Sara said i tried to ask super politely and figured the worst that could happen is they say no.

Lisa

Veteran

I didn't know this!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Good luck in finding it You can 'save' a search for a item and have ebay email you when one is listed...it's best to keep it as general as possible (without being too broad so you dont get a hundred listings) Hope you get your coat...glad to hear you got a goodie though

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I just learned about saved searches yesterday! So nice! i have a few items i'm always looking for to pop up so this saves me a lot of work!

Fruitful

Veteran

That's awesome Nicole. I"m a bit scared to do this in case they think it rude, No idea how much under is polite. 10%? 20%? How about 50%? Does anybody know?

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I only asked for $10 off the price and i used their price point (like putting a .99 at the end) so it again wouldn't see that much of a difference. The price still seemed fair to me, i wasn't trying to get a steal or be rude. If you've ever gone to a flea market it's just basically the same kinda thing. If they're asking $10 for something and you try and offer them $3 they'd probably kick you out of their tent lol.

The Desigual coat, in case anyone is wondering, was selling for $140 and the buyer let it go for $70. I don't think i'd have the...um..gonads to even bargain that low.

Fruitful

Veteran

Lol at the being kicked out of the tent

But that's exactly what I'm wondering about the coat. For example, I've been looking at a pair of BIN Fryes that are only about $30 less than they would have been retail (they're discontinued) and I see similar ones sold for less than half that lately. So in my head I think it should really be about half. I don't have the gonads either...

MNsara

Veteran

Fruitful - I think when you can see completed sales for virtually the same item are SO much cheaper, then you have a good reason to at least ask.

It depends on the price, of course, but if the seller wants $XXX and the rest have sold for about half of that (make sure you are looking at 'apples' and 'apples'), I might email to ask if they would ever consider selling it for a Best Offer and you've done some research indicating that the typical selling price is XXX. You can wait to hear back, or just tell them that you would be happy to make an offer of YYY.

In your 50% case, I'd still be afraid to ask for 50% off, I'd probably go for 25% or maybe 30% off. You just never know. . .

The ebay sellers can see how many people have put their item in a watch list, so they know if lots of people are out there maybe ready to pounce, or not. . .

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Microwave boy often bargains online and he starts at 50% of the price. I don't got the balls to do that.

Fruitful

Veteran

Microwave boy is brave and smart!

MNsara, thanks for your suggestion! Let's see if I get the courage And this is why I never "watch" listings.

rosee

Veteran

I do watch listings and sometimes they are on my watch list for a few months (as long as the listing lasts or is relisted). I'm sure the sellers have figured out that watching does not always equate to buying, it could be for research purposes.

I have bargained before but only for 15% off, in retrospect maybe I could have gone for 25%. It was for a vintage dress. Oh well, live and learn.

Thanks Nicole for the thread.