I'm selling a boat on eBay. A user asked me to tell him what I have set the reserve price to. Should I tell him. If I do tell him should I make the question and answer just for him or visible to all of the eBay community?
Thanks
2007-03-20 05:52:25 · 9 answers · asked by Summertime 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
Don't answer! This guy is "cheating" and you shouldn't help him!
The whole idea of a reserve is for them to enter a honest bid that's high enough enough to cover the reserve AND win the bid (but low enough to be affordable). If you reveal the reserve then there's no point in bidding anything higher than the reserve! (Except for competition, of course)
Such audacity! ASKING the seller to reveal his reserve! Makes me wonder if it's against eBay rules. I mean, what's the point of setting a reserve if you reveal it?
2007-03-20 06:14:51 · answer #1 · answered by Kasey C 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am a powerseller and I always tell.
If you dont tell, you run into bid retractions galore- people place ridiculously high bids because once it hits the reserve it will turn the price green... then they retract the bid anyway and it screws up the whole bidding process. Some people may view the bidder history, see the retraction(s) and feel like there is something shady going on and not bid.
Plus... if they have to keep bidding more and more just to get caught up in trying to hit the magical secret reserve they often wind up not paying due to buyers remorse.
My experience as a PS.... if they ask, tell. They just want to know but its totally up to you.
I recently was in the market for high priced item, and asked the reserve. When I didnt get an answer, I just didn't bid. I know how much I'm willing to spend anyway. Its all a matter of opinion I suppose.
2007-03-21 22:26:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, just let them bid and take the chance....
you might give a non specific info if you wish like you may be under a bluebook or appraisal figure by a given amount etc.
or you might respond with someone is going to get a bargain...
if you respond to the community say you are not disclosing the reserve but you have a good reason for reserve set and that you still belive the high bidder will get a bargain...
I will not disclose a reserve on a car...if I'm interested in one seriously as a buyer I will make a confidential offer direct to seller to see if they will sell it for my offer vs continuing in the auction process
Walt
2007-03-20 13:03:45 · answer #3 · answered by Ronk W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can tell them, it's not a secret or against Ebay policies, but I'm with everyone else--submit your bid and if you really want it, then keep bidding!
Sometimes I'll put on right on the listing "any questions, ask before you bid. DO NOT ask me what the reserve is--NO FAIR!"
2007-03-22 13:17:03 · answer #4 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a ebay powerseller, I would tell that person but I wouldnt post it in the auction for everyone else to see. Telling everyone would defeat the purpose of a private reserve auction!
2007-03-20 12:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
how badly do you want to sell the item? If you want to sell it, tell him, but open it up to everyone else as well. That way, he/she won't have an inside track on what will be the lowest bid that you'll accept.
2007-03-20 13:16:07 · answer #6 · answered by auditor4u2007 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no, just reply that it wouldn't be sporting to reveal and invite him to make his best bid
2007-03-23 11:43:22 · answer #7 · answered by al b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them it's a secret. You are not required to tell.
2007-03-20 14:33:07 · answer #8 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
you dont have to tell.
2007-03-20 12:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by G M 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋