How about a "Best-Offer" or a "Haggle" option?

[JudesNiceThings]

Of course! - and YHM :-)

[somersethedge]

I always work on.... my start price is the lowest price I will accept for an item, and if, at a later date, I wish to lower my price I will edit the price in the auction

[booksforsale]

I always work on.... my start price is the lowest price I will accept for an item, and if, at a later date, I wish to lower my price I will edit the price in the auction

Which makes total sense.

Which is why best offer should really only be used in instances where the seller is offering auction and BuyNow.

That way your auction start price is the lowest you will accept (if the buyer wants to pay that, they will have to bid and wait). The system shouldn't allow an offer lower than this.

The Best Offer is a great compromise for the buyer who doesn't want to pay the BuyNow price, and can't wait for auction end.

This way you get more than your start price and you don't have to wait till auction end to make a sale.

[marschenegger]

...
The Best Offer is a great compromise for the buyer who doesn't want to pay the BuyNow price, and can't wait for auction end.

This way you get more than your start price and you don't have to wait till auction end to make a sale.

Sure, if you believe that artificially-high Buy prices motivate buyers to pay more than they normally would.

[theweaverboy]

Sure, if you believe that artificially-high Buy prices motivate buyers to pay more than they normally would.

What does a opening bid almost as high as the buy now, or just a bit that is kind of high, or a low bid with a high reserve do pray tell?

A "Best Offer" is just an option, which no one would be force to use. It is the sellers property and listing they should set it up how they wish. If they want it they use it they can, and if they don't then they won't.

It might attach new members both buying and selling, and they would attach others, and so on. It is a baby step, but a step none the less.

You can sit in a boat on rough waters and pray to make it to shore, but rowing helps.

[crochetdoilies]

I agree with somersethedge, my starting bid is my lowest.

[booksforsale]

Sure, if you believe that artificially-high Buy prices motivate buyers to pay more than they normally would.

It may be that you are assuming that if there is a best offer system in place, that all buyers will 'artificially' raise the prices of their items. Which price, the auction start price? The Buy Now price? I think you mean the buy now price?

I do see where you are coming from, but in the 21st century I think buyers can see an artificially high price a mile off. I think there are very few sellers who would think a modern, switched-on buyer would be taken in with a huge inflated price-tab next to a big sign saying "make me an offer"

I am putting forward the Pro BuyNow side from the point of someone who is listing an item with a:

1. bottom line auction price and,
2. a FAIR BuyNow price.

I will be happy if I get my bottom line auction price
I will be glad to get the fair price I put on my BuyNow

The third option is if someone makes me an offer in the middle. Surely I can't be anything other than satisfied with that as it is between two parameters that I am happy to accept?

You see, what works with haggling is generally both parties go away feeling happy, because they have come to an agreement.

Whatever pricing method a seller uses whether it is rock bottom, 'fair' or artificial; whatever the seller sets his or her price at, it is the buyer that really sets the price by making the decision to buy or walk away.

The more buying choices I can give customers the better, because all customers are different. Some want to BuyNow, some want to bid and wait and some want to play with you.

The only notion keeping prices artificially high is the notion that something has a fixed and definite value and that it MUST sell for that.

[paintinglemonjane]

Errr...

I don't think that 'randy' has the same meaning in US as it does here.....!! LOL

PMSL Good point. hee! hee!

[theweaverboy]

It is a matter of personal preference.

A seller's preferred way of setting up a listing is kind of like one's preferred beverage. Do you like coffee or tea? Do you take cream, milk, or sugar?

A seller should be allowed to set up there listing as they like. It is their property and their time. If buyers are annoyed by it they won't bid.

Limiting listing "options" just limits the site.

I think I'm going to edit my first post and add this to the bottom;-)

[theweaverboy]

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnd BUMP!