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

[theweaverboy]

Bykimbo you are very intelligent and there is wisdom in what you say. Next poll that should be should be to make you the forum angel or "goddess".

[TiasTreasures]

Back to the OP. Most of the items we are selling in our stores are vintage or antique collectibles. We used "Best Offer" on GreedBay for unique items (couldn't find them anywhere on the web), where we had to guess at their value (we can't afford to subscribe to every collectible pricing guide in the country).

We got very few frivolous offers. We did sell quite a number of items when we received an offer that looked reasonable. If this were available on eBid, we would certainly use it. Since it would be optional, I can't see how it would harm the sellers who don't need it.

[theweaverboy]

Tias you are a treasure. Thank you.

[meebo1]

I have used it on the other side and am offering people to make me an offer via the questions. A price is easy to change if it doesn't have a bid on it and I have done so here. So although I would use it it's not an essential

[theweaverboy]

Never said essential just a "good" option to have.

You have a $100 item up for a couple of weeks and someone offers you $89.89 you wouldn't take it?

[victorfrank]

I have certainly used it on eB-y to good effect and would welcome it here.

[mainlypostcards]

As many of you know, I sell on several sites and have made quite a few sales via "best offer". Would certainly use it, if it was available here.

[theweaverboy]

Of course this is eCommerce after all. The name of the game is commerce. According to wikipedia(who doesn't love it?):

"Commerce" is a division of trade or production which deals with the exchange of goods and services from producer to final consumer. It comprises the trading of something of economic value such as goods, services, information or money between two or more entities. Commerce functions as the central mechanism which drives capitalism and certain other economic systems.

[astral276]

If I want a 'Best Offer' then I list the item as an auction with the starting price the minimum I would be willing to let the item go for. Below that starting price I would not be willing to let the item go so there is no point in anyone offering me less.

I thought the whole idea of an auction was to get the best offer going.

A 'Best Offer' feature just adds a needless layer of complexity.

[kengillam]

On the basis of 'Best Offer that would seem to imply that people are listing items for inflated prices would it not, why not just start the listing at your 'BEST' price with a BIN for what you really want.