Selling on eBay without Best Offer is Dumb. Sorry.

So many people are leaving money on the table. To go into a bit more detail, the only way I am able to effectively accept offers is by doing .CSV bulk uploads and have the auto-decline and auto-accept offers be a percentage of the list price. This is typically around 85%, but sometimes I will go as low as 50% if its an item I have very little into.

[@Cosy2211]

I’ve played with offers on and off for years, but what I’ve found is (with a new / unique items shop). I put prices up by up to 35% of what I’d be happy with… sometimes people will pay that amount, and sometimes they’ll make an offer. That extra cash I see as the best offer option being worth it. People just love seeing the best offer option. A lot of times people will send offers only very slightly lower than BIN. It’s a psychological thing

[@jenniferl350]

I set my initial prices at 25% higher than my desired price, with offers turned on. After 2 weeks, I turn off the offers and turn on a 20% markdown sale. I get far more orders through the markdown sale.

[@brendatomlinson]

Do you set the markdown sale by category in the store or individual items?

[@jenniferl350]

@@brendatomlinson i add all items

[@brendatomlinson]

@@jenniferl350 oh cool, thanks

[@Alo4321]

Got pissed off with getting 50-60% off offers so i turned it off in December thinking id turn it back on in the new year .. sales went up. No frustrating offers. Im more relaxed. Ill leave it off for another while see if the trend changes again

[@cbmikey]

You may consider turning it back on! Unless you're getting just inundated with dozens or hundreds a day... I like to counter with like 5% off my list price. I know they won't buy but it tickles the algorithm and shows activity, which helps drive overall traffic!

[@stevenhaffley9852]

I sold around $240,000 on ebay in 2023, accepted no offers, and blocked anyone who tried to make an offer. I use price spectre to make sure I have the lowest price on the item I am selling, so I don't need to negotiate with anyone. I run a store that sells new items, not a flea market full of second hand items. I must be stupid for doing this though, so I guess that it must have been luck, and not hard work, that got me to the point where I rent 3 commercial properties now in 2024. I never would have known.

[@WBKnoblock]

You need to watch the entire video where I say a store like yours is an example that wouldn’t benefit from best offers. The warning goes over this.

[@dledge2689]

Tell me why it’s dumb to use or not to use free shipping

[@ambassador724]

would you agree that it depends on the item, because if not; that is dumb.

[@WBKnoblock]

I think I covered that in this, if not I did in another video. The only items that most people are going to not want best offer on are either wholesale or retail arb items with very high sell thru rates. Almost everything “pickers” sell should be with best offer, IMO.

[@jenniferl350]

I wish ebay would allow the auto accept and auto decline feature to be set as a percentage off the listed price, instead of a fixed dollar amount.

[@cbmikey]

I've had more luck with Offers turned on than spending money on Promoted Listings.

[@WBKnoblock]

In feb and Jan I tested best offer/markdown sales/promoted listing and all of them were profitable when used. Markdown sales + promoted was the best, actually. Markdown sales or promoted by themselves weren’t that great by themselves, and adding offers was pretty much a 10% increase in revenue no matter what.

[@cbmikey]

@@WBKnoblock I don't have a store anymore I don't have many listings these days so I can't do markdown sales. BTW I'm digging the "*soandso* is Dumb" line of vids!

[@TrollHunterxXx]

Send a reasonable offer… Buyer comes back with an unreasonable counteroffer.. Profit?

[@WBKnoblock]

Bulk uploading via csv with auto decline solves those

[@alphaskwurl]

I agree 100%. I have offers on for almost everything. I only don't for some antiques & collectibles where I know the right buyer will pay up and it's worth waiting for/ doesn't take a bunch of space etc. But even on lots of collectibles I'll have offers on with a minimum set. Very very good advice man!

[@mikewaggoner7228]

Depends! I have a 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie sticker PSA 8 and was offered $500 for it so I turned it down

[@WBKnoblock]

How much did you have into it + what’s market value + how much more could you have turned the payout from that $500 sale into? I think that’s the thought process that works best.

[@alphaskwurl]

@@WBKnoblock agreed. If taking that sale allows you to take advantage of other buy opportunities, then flip quick and go. Instead of sit on it until you get absolute max value. Never wait for max value imo.

[@mikewaggoner7228]

I had it Buy It Now for $999.99 they sell for $1,209-$1,300. I bought the card about 15 years ago I gave $100 for it, I actually had 2 of them. I feel $999.99 is a fair price, I also have a 1976 Walter Peyton rookie BVG 8 on eBay as well, I may be asking to much for it, it’s $1,009 as well

[@PastLifePickins]

" finding buyers" I accept them but I need to turn more of 2:50 them on ..Great way to look at it. Ty

[@klwarhouse]

The market I'm in is different. Best offers are a horrible way to go. I just price things right from the start..... All gravy

[@WBKnoblock]

these are options eBay gives you to cast a broader net, so why not use them?

[@klwarhouse]

@@WBKnoblock If I was selling vintage video games or something, yeah. But due to the market I'm in, as an authorized retailer for a large company, best offers don't work out.

[@WBKnoblock]

That makes a lot of sense. I don’t see best offer working well on things that people are actively making a point to buy (or you’re one of a limited few who sell it), although it might be interesting to see if you convert more sales by offering like $5 off as an auto-accept option because that will help with eBay SERPs .

[@klwarhouse]

@@WBKnoblock On some items I could. I am for a period of time though contractually obligated to maintain MSRP. I'm all for the best offer option, I'm just providing contrast to your video title that it's dumb not to use it. There are a few use cases where you should not or can't use it.

[@WBKnoblock]

@@klwarhouse that part of the video starts about the 5 minute mark.

[@Alo4321]

Look at all that bubble wrap!!!!

[@Picnflip]

Sometimes I will wait if it is a unique or fast sell. Took an offer today on extreme Winter combat boots. Going to Ukraine.

[@WBKnoblock]

Interesting item- what’s the value on something like that?

[@Picnflip]

@@WBKnoblock New with tags accepted 95.00 plus shipping through eBay international shipping.

[@Picnflip]

@@WBKnoblock I took an offer of $95.00 plus shipping. Not bad plus.. cool story bro.