Ebay selling question

[surd615]

I listed an item for sale on Ebay - the first time I'm selling something - last night, and this morning I have three emails asking me how much I want to sell the item for.

Should I reply to them and tell them how much I want for it and cancel the auction if one of them buys it? Could that cause a problem with Ebay? There is one bid on the item already.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[need4spd]

IMO, once you receive the first bid...then the auction is on and you are obligated to continue it to the end.

I wouldnt sell to the trolls that emailed you... just send them an email thanking them for the offer and invite them to bid

 

[Jzero]

You also lose what little protection Ebay offers you as a seller if you sell outside the auction. I would also politely thank them and invite them to bid.

 

[kami333]

I've done it before, haven't really had a problem. Though it was usually with repeat buyers I knew and who were on my mailing list for auction notices. But I only reccomend it if you think their offer is as high as you can get AND they paypal you the money immediately. Or use an escrow service for added protection.

 

[4824guy]

Tell the people to bid on the item-bid high and bid often. You can also tell them alittle something about the item, like its good condition, how well it works, etc.

 

[DocDoo]

The bottom line is... If the auction item has a "reserve" and it is not yet met, you should not tell others what your reserve price is, that gives them an unfair advantage and can bite you back. When I have a "reserve" auction, I ALWAYS get people asking me "how much is your reserve?" If that is a problem for you, you should set a minimum price on the item instead of a "reserve" auction.

 

[dman]

I was in the practice of setting the minimum price slightly less than I would have reserved it for. Enough so that I knew the item would get bid upon (based on selling price of similar items), but lower than I really wanted for it. That way I didn't have to pay the reserve auction fee(s) or re-listing fee's. It always went higher than I would have reserved it for.