Question
I have a couple of older items on just now (I know ending right in the middle of Memorial Day weekend... brilliant!), with small reserves just to make sure I recover what I spent. They aren't valuable, but they ought to be desirable to the group that collects such things. One of the items is specifically listed as a goodie on one of the collector club websites. This is the item I'm talking about now.
There's been a moderate number of hits on the auction, only one bid so far but more than 10 watchers. This morning I get an Ask Seller a Question message from someone who says:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>This item is not really collectible, but what is your reserve? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That's all. Nothing else but the user's name.
How would you respond?
Answer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>How would you respond? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thank you for asking. My reserve price is $___. Good luck!
Answer
You're so nice.
I'm in one of my usual grumpy moods, so my first reaction was to say "If you're curious, why don't you bid?"
I looked to see what this person bids on, and it's exclusively items like the one I'm selling, and never spending more than $20.00. I think I smell a dealer trying to get a bargain...
I need to try to be nicer and not so suspicious!
Answer
I always reveal my reserve if asked nicely.
Answer
Thank you for asking. My reserve price is $___. Good luck!
Yup, me too, almost word for word.
Answer
whats the point asking the reserve, if i we're interested i would just bid.
seems like a total waste of time, are bidders just trying to keep sellers busy?
Answer
I wouldn't respond because the first part of their inquiry sounds snippy.
If you respond, their 2nd email will probably tell you that you're asking too much and the "real" http://community.here.com/infopop/em...n_rolleyes.gif value is only $--
Answer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by www.imosh.com:
seems like a total waste of time, are bidders just trying to keep sellers busy? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
My opinion is YES. They seem to be under the impression the seller is sitting at his/her computer 24 hrs. a day just waiting for their questions.
Answer
I don't usually use reserves but I have recently run one auction each week in an attempt to drive traffic to my Store.
I added the following statement.
"Please Note - This is an auction with a Reserve Price. The amount of the Reserve is well below the MSRP and also below the Buy It Now price at which I offer these glasses in my eBay Store. In fairness to all potential customers, I do not reveal the Reserve Price in response to emails asking for that information.'
Don't know if it is the best idea but that's what I presently doing.
Answer
I like the way you put it, reston_ray. 'In fairness to all potential customers, I do not reveal the Reserve Price in response to emails asking for that information.'
Very pleasant, but still standing your ground. I can't help feeling as though it's really quite rude to ask a seller to reveal their Reserve.
I suppose part of my feeling annoyed is that there are quite a few new hits on the listing since I last looked on Saturday. I just know there's a bunch of collectors lurking in the shadows holding off on bidding because they want to grab this for as little as possible. Okay, that's fine! That's how I bid myself! But that's also why I put a reserve on in the first place, so I could avoid having the things go for less than I paid for them.
Oh well. I'm off to write a polite response!
Thanks for all your input!
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