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

[JudesNiceThings]

I also don't think the forums realistically represent the majority of the membership, they're a vocal minority. There is no way of knowing what the majority want except by attempting to interpret results. I like that the management listen to forum members, but I certainly don't think they should make that the exclusive avenue for change.

I do agree with you on that point!

[lofty100e]

I voted no, I think that your best offer should be your start price, and agree with Ken. I can't see the logic of having it on an AUCTION site; maybe on somewhere like the big river where they have fixed price sales. But on an auction site surely the idea is for the price to increase.

[bykimbo]

But... this isn't just an auction site, is it? There's plenty of fixed price selling going on. Is an offer on a fixed price so bonkers that you would want to prevent being available to those who like it? Note, I wouldn't use it either, but I can see why some people might like it.

[CrazyJay]

I have found that there appears tobe little in the way of bidding, so would tend to err toward either starting an auction with my minimum bid, or setting a fixed buy it now.

I voted YES because I am happy to list buy it now with prices which reflect what I would consider a fair profit, but with some room to haggle if need be.

[victorfrank]

I voted 'Yes' as thankfully this is not just an auction site. I agree with byKimbo.

[nobrassband]

Good idea, subject raised before over the years (several times, I think).

Those who don't like the option would not have to use it, but why stop others?

Works wells for me elsewhere as a buyer and seller. Another way of doing business.

Guide prices, best prices, 'make me an offer', haggling, bargaining, etc., are common enough trading mechanisms used in the real world.

Buyers and sellers should be allowed to choose whatever they feel comfortable with and then get on with it.

This is a trading venue, after all.

[booksforsale]

With the best knowledge in the world, we can't always foresee what someone is prepared to pay for an item.
We can't always put a definite worth, or 'market value' on an item.

What I am driving at is, whatever price you are prepared to accept, buyers might not be prepared to pay. The amount they are prepared to pay is effectively an item's 'market value'.

There isn't really anyway of knowing this value, unless there is a mechanism in place for the customer to let you know this.

OK, to be fair, with experience you can tell that item 'X' generally sells for 'Y' amount or, in that region, so you can ward off the silly offers - but trends change and sometimes people stop buying this or that and its value drops.

I am all for the OPTION of being able to offer Best Offer to customers, this OPTION would have no adverse affects on those who don't want to offer it.

Are those who don't want the Best Offer facility worried that offering Best Offer drives down the value of items? Are you worried perhaps that a competitor will be able to offer a better price than you, thus depriving you of a sale.

I think that is how business is supposed to work.

[leadhillsonline]

Are those who don't want the Best Offer facility worried that offering Best Offer drives down the value of items? Are you worried perhaps that a competitor will be able to offer a better price than you, thus depriving you of a sale.

No, just have never seen the point of it. I price according to what it has cost me and the minimum I would like as profit.

[terry5732]

You all already have the option of "best offer"

Put in your description that you will entertain offers via the ask a question function

You could even mention it in your 'about me' page

[theweaverboy]

No, just have never seen the point of it. I price according to what it has cost me and the minimum I would like as profit.

So is eBid all about you, or sellers just exactly like you?

Is that what YOU are saying?

What did you just say about me to your computer monitor?!

Yeah I guess I am, and THEN SOME!