ebay "increase your offer" message

**.a.t.** · 08-15-2019, 03:33 PM

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While I was considering making a Best Offer on an ebay item today, I received some advice:

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I've never sold on ebay, but I've been a buyer for about 10 years. And I make Best Offers several times each year. Yet, I've never seen that "increase" message before.

My Best Offers are typically 75-80% of the seller's Buy It Now price. In this case though, the seller is being excessively optimistic, in my opinion.

Regardless, is this a new message? Or is it just new to me? And I wonder if it's a feature sellers can choose to add to their listings? Or is it simply ebay unilaterally trying to boost their bottom line?

Anyone know about this?

**ChrisPlatt** · 08-15-2019, 04:11 PM - **2 Likes**

I've seen this too. It now occurs in some but not all Make Offer listings.
I ignore it and make an offer for a little under the maximum I am willing to pay.

Chris

**BigMackCam** · 08-15-2019, 04:21 PM - **1 Like**

I've not seen it, but typically I wouldn't. I almost exclusively use a sniping service when bidding on items - so I set the absolute maximum amount I'd be prepared to pay for the item, and the number of seconds before auction close at which I want the tool to place my bid. Then, I can get on with my day. If I win the item, that's great. If I'm outbid and lose the item, I might be slightly disappointed, but console myself by knowing that I wasn't tempted to pay more than I felt was reasonable - and none of my time was wasted by manually monitoring and bidding on the item

**aslyfox** · 08-15-2019, 04:48 PM - **1 Like**

not a big user of ebay but I have never seen it before

If I did, I would cancel my bid

**.a.t.** · 08-15-2019, 05:35 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

I've seen this too. Iit now occurs in some but not all Make Offer listings.
I ignore it and make an offer for a little under the maximum I am willing to pay.

Chris

Originally posted by aslyfox

not a big user of ebay but I have never seen it before

If I did, I would cancel my bid

Thanks, guys. I didn't actually submit a bid yet - still pondering...

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I've not seen it, but typically I wouldn't. I almost exclusively use a sniping service when bidding on items . . .

Words of wisdom, BMC. I do the same for auctions.

But sometimes a scarce item is available only as Buy It Now / Best Offer.

Still, I'm curious to know if the message is coming from the seller or directly from ebay itself?

**BigMackCam** · 08-15-2019, 05:39 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by .a.t.

Words of wisdom, BMC. I do the same for auctions.

But sometimes a scarce item is available only as Buy It Now / Best Offer.

Still, I'm curious to know if the message is coming from the seller or directly from ebay itself?

Doh... That'll teach me to ingest what I've read thoroughly before replying

It must be an eBay function. Whether it's something configured by the seller, or an automatic eBay feature, I honestly don't know. That said, I treat my offers like my sniping bids - I offer the maximum I'm prepared to go to, though I do take trouble to thank the seller for considering my offer, and explain that it's my very best. From that point on, I won't go up any further, for the same reasons that I set my maximum bid in sniping.

I'll be interested to see if anyone knows anything more about this...

disconnekt · 08-15-2019, 07:33 PM

I've used ebay for a couple thing over the years, but never used the "Make offer" option before, though Ive never seen anything Ive wanted with that option lol

MarkJerling · 08-15-2019, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I almost exclusively use a sniping service when bidding on items

Tell me more please!

vonBaloney · 08-15-2019, 07:54 PM - **2 Likes**

I'm sure it is just ebay throwing statistics at you, knowing the success rates for offers rejected, etc. Just ignore it. They do the same when you list stuff for sale if they think it is too high, and tell you to lower it based on average prices, etc etc.

**.a.t.** · 08-15-2019, 08:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by disconnekt

I've used ebay for a couple thing over the years, but never used the "Make offer" option before, though Ive never seen anything Ive wanted with that option lol

You have more self control than I do!

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Tell me more please!

Here's some (U.S. based) info :
Gixen - Why Snipe?

5shot · 08-15-2019, 08:11 PM

I had that message pop up and entered my offer anyway...it was immediately refused. I let the item go. I hate the auto reply "Offer not accepted" ...often times you get the message unless you are within $5 of the asking price. On those few times when I upped my offer until it was accepted (just to see what they would take), I did not follow through with the purchase. An offer isn't a commitment to bid, so I figured they might get the message that I didn't care for the way they listed their item.

Aaron28 · 08-15-2019, 08:13 PM

seen it a few times but not every time when making an offer.....usually ignore it and offer what I had in mind

vonBaloney · 08-15-2019, 08:17 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by 5shot

I had that message pop up and entered my offer anyway...it was immediately refused. I let the item go. I hate the auto reply on offers...often times you get the message unless you are within $5 of the asking price. On those few times when I upped my offer until it was accepted (just to see what they would take), I did not follow through with the purchase. An offer isn't a commitment to bid, so I figured they might get the message that I didn't care for the way they listed their item.

An offer is absolutely a commitment to BUY if accepted. That's the whole point. But first your offer is just considered and it can be waiting around for the seller to respond -- the seller can ignore it and it will be auto-rejected after a few days or they can explicitly accept or reject it or send a counter-offer faster than that. But if accepted, you are supposed to then pay for the item (and the listing is closed because you bought it!) -- not doing so is exactly the same as winning an auction and then not paying for it.

But there is also auto-rejection and auto-acceptance. So if a seller lists something as Buy It Now with the make offer feature turned on, they can (optionally) fill in amounts for "offers auto-rejected below XXX amount" and "offers auto-accepted if at least XXX amount". But you shouldn't be making fake offers, that's not a thing.

**.a.t.** · 08-15-2019, 08:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

. . .
I'll be interested to see if anyone knows anything more about this...

Originally posted by vonBaloney

I'm sure it is just ebay throwing statistics at you, knowing the success rates for offers rejected, etc. Just ignore it. They do the same when you list stuff for sale if they think it is too high, and tell you to lower it based on average prices, etc etc.

Yes, I think vonBaloney nailed the focus on this one. Apparently the message is a helping hand from ebay to sellers weary of enduring "low ball" offers from Takumar collectors.

I also asked my question on the ebay community page and received good answers there, too:
Solved: Re: "Increase your offer" message - The eBay Community

**.a.t.** · 08-15-2019, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by 5shot

I had that message pop up and entered my offer anyway...
. . .

Originally posted by Aaron28

seen it a few times but not every time when making an offer.....usually ignore it and offer what I had in mind

Thanks for the replies.

For what it's worth, in my case the threshold for an offer triggering the "increase" message seems to be about 70% of the asking price. The Buy It Now price on the item I was considering was $99.99 and my (prospective) offer was $69.99. But when I bumped up my offer to $70.00, the message went away.

08-15-2019, 03:33 PM	#1
.a.t. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: yesterday Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,261	ebay "increase your offer" message Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. While I was considering making a Best Offer on an ebay item today, I received some advice: I've never sold on ebay, but I've been a buyer for about 10 years. And I make Best Offers several times each year. Yet, I've never seen that "increase" message before. My Best Offers are typically 75-80% of the seller's Buy It Now price. In this case though, the seller is being excessively optimistic, in my opinion. Regardless, is this a new message? Or is it just new to me? And I wonder if it's a feature sellers can choose to add to their listings? Or is it simply ebay unilaterally trying to boost their bottom line? Anyone know about this?

08-15-2019, 04:11 PM - 2 Likes	#2
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	I've seen this too. It now occurs in some but not all Make Offer listings. I ignore it and make an offer for a little under the maximum I am willing to pay. Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 08-16-2019 at 03:50 PM.

08-15-2019, 08:17 PM - 2 Likes	#13
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by 5shot I had that message pop up and entered my offer anyway...it was immediately refused. I let the item go. I hate the auto reply on offers...often times you get the message unless you are within $5 of the asking price. On those few times when I upped my offer until it was accepted (just to see what they would take), I did not follow through with the purchase. An offer isn't a commitment to bid, so I figured they might get the message that I didn't care for the way they listed their item. An offer is absolutely a commitment to BUY if accepted. That's the whole point. But first your offer is just considered and it can be waiting around for the seller to respond -- the seller can ignore it and it will be auto-rejected after a few days or they can explicitly accept or reject it or send a counter-offer faster than that. But if accepted, you are supposed to then pay for the item (and the listing is closed because you bought it!) -- not doing so is exactly the same as winning an auction and then not paying for it. But there is also auto-rejection and auto-acceptance. So if a seller lists something as Buy It Now with the make offer feature turned on, they can (optionally) fill in amounts for "offers auto-rejected below XXX amount" and "offers auto-accepted if at least XXX amount". But you shouldn't be making fake offers, that's not a thing. Last edited by vonBaloney; 08-15-2019 at 08:27 PM.

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08-15-2019, 04:21 PM - 1 Like	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	I've not seen it, but typically I wouldn't. I almost exclusively use a sniping service when bidding on items - so I set the absolute maximum amount I'd be prepared to pay for the item, and the number of seconds before auction close at which I want the tool to place my bid. Then, I can get on with my day. If I win the item, that's great. If I'm outbid and lose the item, I might be slightly disappointed, but console myself by knowing that I wasn't tempted to pay more than I felt was reasonable - and none of my time was wasted by manually monitoring and bidding on the item

08-15-2019, 04:48 PM - 1 Like	#4
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	not a big user of ebay but I have never seen it before If I did, I would cancel my bid

08-15-2019, 05:35 PM - 1 Like	#5
.a.t. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: yesterday Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,261 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt I've seen this too. Iit now occurs in some but not all Make Offer listings. I ignore it and make an offer for a little under the maximum I am willing to pay. Chris Originally posted by aslyfox not a big user of ebay but I have never seen it before If I did, I would cancel my bid Thanks, guys. I didn't actually submit a bid yet - still pondering... Originally posted by BigMackCam I've not seen it, but typically I wouldn't. I almost exclusively use a sniping service when bidding on items . . . Words of wisdom, BMC. I do the same for auctions. But sometimes a scarce item is available only as Buy It Now / Best Offer. Still, I'm curious to know if the message is coming from the seller or directly from ebay itself?

08-15-2019, 05:39 PM - 1 Like	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by .a.t. Words of wisdom, BMC. I do the same for auctions. But sometimes a scarce item is available only as Buy It Now / Best Offer. Still, I'm curious to know if the message is coming from the seller or directly from ebay itself? Doh... That'll teach me to ingest what I've read thoroughly before replying It must be an eBay function. Whether it's something configured by the seller, or an automatic eBay feature, I honestly don't know. That said, I treat my offers like my sniping bids - I offer the maximum I'm prepared to go to, though I do take trouble to thank the seller for considering my offer, and explain that it's my very best. From that point on, I won't go up any further, for the same reasons that I set my maximum bid in sniping. I'll be interested to see if anyone knows anything more about this...

08-15-2019, 07:33 PM	#7
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	I've used ebay for a couple thing over the years, but never used the "Make offer" option before, though Ive never seen anything Ive wanted with that option lol

08-15-2019, 07:44 PM	#8
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by BigMackCam I almost exclusively use a sniping service when bidding on items Tell me more please!

08-15-2019, 07:54 PM - 2 Likes	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I'm sure it is just ebay throwing statistics at you, knowing the success rates for offers rejected, etc. Just ignore it. They do the same when you list stuff for sale if they think it is too high, and tell you to lower it based on average prices, etc etc.

08-15-2019, 08:08 PM - 1 Like	#10
.a.t. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: yesterday Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,261 Original Poster	Originally posted by disconnekt I've used ebay for a couple thing over the years, but never used the "Make offer" option before, though Ive never seen anything Ive wanted with that option lol You have more self control than I do! Originally posted by MarkJerling Tell me more please! Here's some (U.S. based) info : Gixen - Why Snipe?

08-15-2019, 08:11 PM	#11
5shot Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington - the State Posts: 208	I had that message pop up and entered my offer anyway...it was immediately refused. I let the item go. I hate the auto reply "Offer not accepted" ...often times you get the message unless you are within $5 of the asking price. On those few times when I upped my offer until it was accepted (just to see what they would take), I did not follow through with the purchase. An offer isn't a commitment to bid, so I figured they might get the message that I didn't care for the way they listed their item.

08-15-2019, 08:13 PM	#12
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	seen it a few times but not every time when making an offer.....usually ignore it and offer what I had in mind

08-15-2019, 08:28 PM - 1 Like	#14
.a.t. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: yesterday Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,261 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam . . . I'll be interested to see if anyone knows anything more about this... Originally posted by vonBaloney I'm sure it is just ebay throwing statistics at you, knowing the success rates for offers rejected, etc. Just ignore it. They do the same when you list stuff for sale if they think it is too high, and tell you to lower it based on average prices, etc etc. Yes, I think vonBaloney nailed the focus on this one. Apparently the message is a helping hand from ebay to sellers weary of enduring "low ball" offers from Takumar collectors. I also asked my question on the ebay community page and received good answers there, too: Solved: Re: "Increase your offer" message - The eBay Community

08-15-2019, 10:40 PM	#15
.a.t. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: yesterday Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,261 Original Poster	Originally posted by 5shot I had that message pop up and entered my offer anyway... . . . Originally posted by Aaron28 seen it a few times but not every time when making an offer.....usually ignore it and offer what I had in mind Thanks for the replies. For what it's worth, in my case the threshold for an offer triggering the "increase" message seems to be about 70% of the asking price. The Buy It Now price on the item I was considering was $99.99 and my (prospective) offer was $69.99. But when I bumped up my offer to $70.00, the message went away.