Best way to reply to “best price bruv” messages
Discussion
My default response is:
"Sorry but I'm really not sure what this item is actually worth, so I will let the auction run through to the end and accept the final bid, thanks and good luck if you are bidding".
As others say, no point in antagonising them and most of the time it's true, I don't know what something is worth.
I'm often surprised things go for so much (£212 for a very average used washing machine!) and likewise sometimes surprised that things sell for so little (£18.50 for a full set of golf clubs and bag! WTF?!?).
But I guess that's the whole point of an auction - just make your ad as good and honest as poss, the rest is up to the bidders to decide.
Most people I've met selling stuff on ebay over the years have been decent enough folk.
"Sorry but I'm really not sure what this item is actually worth, so I will let the auction run through to the end and accept the final bid, thanks and good luck if you are bidding".
As others say, no point in antagonising them and most of the time it's true, I don't know what something is worth.
I'm often surprised things go for so much (£212 for a very average used washing machine!) and likewise sometimes surprised that things sell for so little (£18.50 for a full set of golf clubs and bag! WTF?!?).
But I guess that's the whole point of an auction - just make your ad as good and honest as poss, the rest is up to the bidders to decide.
Most people I've met selling stuff on ebay over the years have been decent enough folk.
Used get this question all the time selling cars in the Middle East years back, but was on the phone.
When asked what my best price was, I'd always reply that my best price was XXX, double the price in the ad. That would be my best price, but I'm willing to take the asking price if my best price was too much.
When asked what my best price was, I'd always reply that my best price was XXX, double the price in the ad. That would be my best price, but I'm willing to take the asking price if my best price was too much.
The sort of people who ask that question without even viewing the car or asking other questions often either can't afford the car or are the type that will try and come back later and nit pick about problems. I wouldn't even want to sell to someone like that even if they won the auction.
Fiammetta said:
The look of disdain and disgust on his face as I count out his cash while he loads up the wheels was incredible.
It’s was as if I’d outsmarted him or he couldn’t get the upper hand or something.
Worlds full of idiots and sometimes with eBay you end up meeting them .
He tried to play the game but lost... if the bids had remained low and he got them for £150 he'd have 'won' the game and been smug. Win some lose some It’s was as if I’d outsmarted him or he couldn’t get the upper hand or something.
Worlds full of idiots and sometimes with eBay you end up meeting them .
bobtail4x4 said:
I have had the reverse,..
I had something similar about 10 years back. Me and a mate were after a cheap car for a banger rally, and we found a Mk2 Scirocco that was an absolute shed. Buy it now was £500. We offered £300. Refused. The owner really thought it was something special, and kept relisting the ad but getting absolutely no interest. Eventually he got desperate and needed to get shut urgently so put it on as an auction. We ended up winning it for £97.
I have turned offers for stuff down and received less by letting the auction run, to be honest for a lot of stuff I cant be bothered and its easy to fall foul of eBays rules and it isnt in the spirit of the whole thing, people who think that the auction concept doesnt apply to them are generally a pain in the arse.
Here's how I do it...entertain yourself; post replies to the ad. 
Ashamed to admit it's a Merc.
From the Golden age of Rust of Mercedes from 99-05I'm liking the Q&A section.
idiotgap said:
BlueHave said:
silentbrown said:
jke11y said:
No "Mercedes" in the title. No wonder I couldn't find it From the Golden age of Rust of Mercedes from 99-05
eBay said:
Question & Answer Answered On
Q: Hi, I am very interested in your car. How much would you take for it? Cash and collection straight away. Not a timewaster as there are many on here. Many thanks 26-May-16
A: I don't have a buy it now price as I want to drive it around for a week. Cheers, ben.
Q: Hi How's it going How much cash and contact number please will buy today thanks 25-May-16
A: Thanks, however I only bought it on Saturday, thinking it had an MOT. I would like to drive it around for a week before selling wearing Fancy dress. Lederhosen might be a bit sweaty in this weather so I might ask my wife If I can borrow something Floaty and Floral. Owning an S500 does wonders for one's self confidence. Thanks, good luck in the auction, Ben.
Q: How much would you let it go for if i was to collect it as it is? On 25/05/2016, 15:40, sportsmasochist wrote: Re: nznx-0 has sent a question about item #112007638209, ending on 04-Jun-16 15:05:41 BST - S500 Spares or repair Thanks, But I'd rather let the auction run. Cheers. 25-May-16
A: I haven't got a buy it now price as I want to drive it for a week. I bought it last weekend and love it, but sadly I do not have the time or skills to fix it. I'll lose money on it anyway I am sure, so I want to smoke around feeling like I'm a mid 90's Turf Accountant or something. Thanks, Ben.
Q: Hi can offer 200 cash and collect it as it is 25-May-16
A: Thanks, But I'd rather let the auction run. Cheers.
Q: Hello mate, I'm interested in your car, can I have your phone number please ? Also how much do you want for it ? Thanks 25-May-16
A: Hi Mate, I'll let the auction run as I want to drive it for 10 days. If you look at the Pistonheads thread you will see I paid £1,225 for it last week, I have no idea what it is really worth! I'll post lots of photos tonight of all the grubby/rusty bits so it's easier to put a value on it. Cheers, Ben.
Q: Hi, I am very interested in your car. How much would you take for it? Cash and collection straight away. Not a timewaster as there are many on here. Many thanks 26-May-16
A: I don't have a buy it now price as I want to drive it around for a week. Cheers, ben.
Q: Hi How's it going How much cash and contact number please will buy today thanks 25-May-16
A: Thanks, however I only bought it on Saturday, thinking it had an MOT. I would like to drive it around for a week before selling wearing Fancy dress. Lederhosen might be a bit sweaty in this weather so I might ask my wife If I can borrow something Floaty and Floral. Owning an S500 does wonders for one's self confidence. Thanks, good luck in the auction, Ben.
Q: How much would you let it go for if i was to collect it as it is? On 25/05/2016, 15:40, sportsmasochist wrote: Re: nznx-0 has sent a question about item #112007638209, ending on 04-Jun-16 15:05:41 BST - S500 Spares or repair Thanks, But I'd rather let the auction run. Cheers. 25-May-16
A: I haven't got a buy it now price as I want to drive it for a week. I bought it last weekend and love it, but sadly I do not have the time or skills to fix it. I'll lose money on it anyway I am sure, so I want to smoke around feeling like I'm a mid 90's Turf Accountant or something. Thanks, Ben.
Q: Hi can offer 200 cash and collect it as it is 25-May-16
A: Thanks, But I'd rather let the auction run. Cheers.
Q: Hello mate, I'm interested in your car, can I have your phone number please ? Also how much do you want for it ? Thanks 25-May-16
A: Hi Mate, I'll let the auction run as I want to drive it for 10 days. If you look at the Pistonheads thread you will see I paid £1,225 for it last week, I have no idea what it is really worth! I'll post lots of photos tonight of all the grubby/rusty bits so it's easier to put a value on it. Cheers, Ben.
Pistonheader101 said:
Selling my old car on eBay auction with no reserve - will sell at whatever it goes for and I’ve had a flurry of “what’s ur best price” messages.
How do I reply to these, I don’t want to come across as rude
Your best price is obviously one pound, as you failed put a reserve on it. How do I reply to these, I don’t want to come across as rude
I presume you would sell it for one pound, or are you one of those that would withdraw the auction? I hate sellers that do that.
If you don't want to sell it for one pound then increase your starting bid!
lbc said:
Pistonheader101 said:
Selling my old car on eBay auction with no reserve - will sell at whatever it goes for and I’ve had a flurry of “what’s ur best price” messages.
How do I reply to these, I don’t want to come across as rude
Your best price is obviously one pound, as you failed put a reserve on it. How do I reply to these, I don’t want to come across as rude
I presume you would sell it for one pound, or are you one of those that would withdraw the auction? I hate sellers that do that.
If you don't want to sell it for one pound then increase your starting bid!
The only time I would say it's annoying on ebay is if you're the only serious bidder on an item and would be quite happy to pay twice your winning bid say, but because nobody else is bidding you cannot hit the official or unofficial reserve, so you still can't buy it.
Gad-Westy said:
It's basically how all auctions work from ebay to Sotherbys.
The only time I would say it's annoying on ebay is if you're the only serious bidder on an item and would be quite happy to pay twice your winning bid say, but because nobody else is bidding you cannot hit the official or unofficial reserve, so you still can't buy it.
Simple ask a friend to help you bid it up.The only time I would say it's annoying on ebay is if you're the only serious bidder on an item and would be quite happy to pay twice your winning bid say, but because nobody else is bidding you cannot hit the official or unofficial reserve, so you still can't buy it.
Gad-Westy said:
It's basically how all auctions work from ebay to Sotherbys.
The only time I would say it's annoying on ebay is if you're the only serious bidder on an item and would be quite happy to pay twice your winning bid say, but because nobody else is bidding you cannot hit the official or unofficial reserve, so you still can't buy it.
I thought a bid that exceeded reserve on Ebay would take the current price up to the reserve, even if no other bids are made? Or have they changed that? The only time I would say it's annoying on ebay is if you're the only serious bidder on an item and would be quite happy to pay twice your winning bid say, but because nobody else is bidding you cannot hit the official or unofficial reserve, so you still can't buy it.
Most of these low offers, if you actually said yes to them, chances are they wouldn't go ahead anyway; never to be heard of again.
People are odd, I sell cars for a main dealer, we get low ball offers, either in person; not the ones you've spent ages with and built up a bit of a rapport but the ones who swan in all Billy big b
ks, point to a car and say "I'll give you £xyz for that" without even asking anything about it or just giving it a cursory glance, or via email (mostly), I've said yes as I've seen it a thousand times, the ones in person backtrack and all of a sudden need to check with the wife/mum/dog, "haven't sorted my loan" , "need to check insurance" and any other lame excuse, email ones you'll never hear of again.
People are odd, I sell cars for a main dealer, we get low ball offers, either in person; not the ones you've spent ages with and built up a bit of a rapport but the ones who swan in all Billy big b
ks, point to a car and say "I'll give you £xyz for that" without even asking anything about it or just giving it a cursory glance, or via email (mostly), I've said yes as I've seen it a thousand times, the ones in person backtrack and all of a sudden need to check with the wife/mum/dog, "haven't sorted my loan" , "need to check insurance" and any other lame excuse, email ones you'll never hear of again. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff