Ebay ethical dilemma as seller - What Would You Do?

[Smanzari]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

You have an item listed on Ebay.

Bidder contacts you shortly after the auction lists... fairly aggressively. Multiple messages, e-mails, even phone calls.

Wants you to end the auction early. A relatives B-day is coming up, they collect these items, and the auction extends past that date.

The items in the auction are rare...but not necessarily expensive. You don't doubt the story about the relative.

Bidder throws out an offer, not life changing money, but let's say $150 bucks, for a lot you don't anticipate selling for any more then $50 bucks.

Kicker is, the item just got a bid from a different bidder, and also has several watchers lined up. You can't insert a "Buy It Now" price into the auction, and you can't reduce the number of days the auction lasts, so it doesn't go past the B-day deadline.

What do you do?

I know what I did, but understand if somebody decides something different. No judgements (from me anyways). Just curious.

This happens to me A LOT as I do a fair amount of volume on eBay, mostly fixed price but I do get into auctions from time-to-time (~800-1200 cards/week) -- I Ignore the Message and Block the User. In my experience, messages like this typically indicate there are going to be future issues such as favorites including "Tracking Says its Delivered, but I didn't get it" or "This card is damaged" (on a card sold as PR/VG/EX) or the "You sent me the wrong card"(and refuses to tell you what you sent!)

[philliesfan]

I never stop an auction that has a bid. It does not seem right.
End an auction that has several watchers but no bids, sure.
Bob

[Jewish-collector]

Originally Posted by Smanzari

I Ignore the Message and Block the User.

Instead of ignoring the message, always respond back with "Sometimes you just gotta say WTF", then block the user as usual.

[gonefishin]

No brainer - no thought needed - if there is a bid let the auction run it's course. You will never have a feeling of guilt or remorse regardless of what the item sells for.

[earlywynnfan]

I've had offers several times, and if there are other bidders, I let them know that I let my auctions ride. Funny thing is, almost every time the item goes for less than the person offered, but they aren't the ones that win it! I can't ever figure that out.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

I've had offers several times, and if there are other bidders, I let them know that I let my auctions ride. Funny thing is, almost every time the item goes for less than the person offered, but they aren't the ones that win it! I can't ever figure that out.

I believe it is them acting childish and not bidding because you wouldn't let them buy it for their offer. I know I am guilty of it sometimes.