Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Chuck Ross</b><p>I'm mainly a vintage nonsports collector but I'm sure this is also a problem for you baseball guys (and gal). Why do eBay sellers end their auctions early? Unless you get an outrageous offer for something on the side, why would a seller possibly want to avoid competitive bidding? When someone says "I'll give you X amount to stop this auction" shouldn't the seller's first thought be that this person is afraid that the final amount would actually end up higher if the auction ran its course? There are 2 or 3 collectors in my part of the hobby who are notorious for pulling off these low-ball schemes. I can understand a little bit when a neophyte seller falls for this, but even the big boys do it. Here are 2 examples from yesterday. This seller is, I think, a highly reputable seller used by folks on this board. This is no knock on the seller, its just that I find it very puzzling. When I sell on eBay, I would never end an auction early.<BR><BR><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=219&item=610302600 1" target=_new>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=219&item=610302600 1</a><BR><BR><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=219&item=610303033 6" target=_new>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=219&item=610303033 6</a>

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Judge Dred</b><p>The seller of the material you have listed is a very respected and trustworthy person. If Seth ended the auction early, I'm sure he had good reason. You could email him and ask him why. He' very approachable and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to answer your questions.

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Mike Ernst</b><p>If you shaft the buyer by ending the auction early, he can't leave you negative feedback!

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Seth Nagdeman</b><p>Sorry for the confusion. The reason for ending the 2 ebay auctions early was a request of my consignor. He notified me that his cost was much higher than he thought he would receive on ebay.<BR><BR>If there is someone that would pay a nice amount for either auction, please email me the offer and I will list the item on ebay with a buy it now at that price.<BR><BR>Sincerely,<BR>Seth<BR>seth@19thcentu ryonly.com

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Seth Nagdeman</b><p>I gave it some thought... rather than anyone emailing me, I will check with my consignor on Monday to discuss the issue and see what he wants to do. If he decides to relist the lots, I will respond to this post.<BR><BR>Seth

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Chuck</b><p>Seth: Thanks for clearing up this particular case. I know you are a first-class dealer and wasn't honing in on your auctions, but just puzzled by the phenomenon in general. I know from personal experience in selling on eBay, that when I post scarce items I am sure to get several emails within the first day asking how much it would take to pull the auction. As a friend of mine pointed out, the prevelance of ebay sellers posting "I will not end auctions early" reflects the degree to which this is going on. I am still just curious as to why sellers would ever do this (other than in legitimate cases like the one you have described).<BR><BR>Chuck

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>jay behrens</b><p>Sometimes you get an offer you can't refuse. Plus, ending it early means you get to duck the final selling fees, which in the case of rare and expensive items, can be quite hefty.<BR><BR>Jay

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Rob L</b><p>I have asked sellers several times what the cost would be to pull an auction. A lot will let the auction run its course, but I have also picked up a number of items for the price that the seller wanted to end the auction. A while back, I picked up a 1934 Yankees signed baseball for $1,300. The seller made the sell and forgot to pull the auction. He did sell the ball to me for the his price but the high bid ended at nearly $2,000. It never hurts to ask if it is an item that you really are interested in.<BR>

Why do Ebay sellers do this?
 

Posted By: <b>Seth Nagdeman</b><p>As promised, here is notification that the Dick Tracy lot has been relisted at a higher opening bid. Thanks.<BR><BR>Link to the auction: <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6104341140" target=_new>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6104341140</a><BR>