What happened to people making offers and asking questions on ebay?

[mannequin1]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I've noticed an inordinate # of overpriced BIN listings have offers preset to reject at nearly full price. One guy had a best offer indicated on a partial set of obscure nonsport trade cards I was interested in. I made offers to 70% of BIN and they were all automatically rejected. I got discouraged and quit. Yesterday the guy sent me an offer at 70% of the BIN. I said no because screw him for wasting my time in the first place. Let his item rot.

You over-reacted. He was probably inflexible some time ago when he listed it but now has realized that it's better he take your 70% offer and move the item. I would take his offer and put you're feelings aside.

[Yoda]

I have always thought auctions were the most equitable way to price items. Auction prices set the market.

[UKCardGuy]

Auctions are great for items that are in demand by lots of buyers. But for unusual or rare items, BIN gives time for the right buyer to come along. But as others have said, ending the listing and resisting it using "sell similar" is a good way to reset the algorithm.

[perezfan]

In the "good old days" of eBay, asking questions of the seller was common and even expected. The vast majority of sellers were happy to provide prompt answers to any questions/concerns a prospective buyer might ask.

Fast-forward to today, where it is 30/70 (at best) that you'll even get a response. And if you are graced with an answer, it is typically rude, terse or a non-answer. What has happened to people's ability to communicate?

Recent example... We all know that a card graded "3" could or could not have a wrinkle/crease that fails to show up on a provided scan. I personally don't collect cards with creases, and like to request that the seller look at the card (typically if it's graded 2 - 4) to let me know.

You'd think I was asking for the moon. A few sellers will still respond with no issues, but most either ignore the request completely or reply with something like "I'm not a professional grader".

I did not realize you had to be a professional grader to hold a card under a light and disclose whether there's a crease. We've gotten to the point where 99% of sellers' descriptions simply state the number grade and nothing else. At what point did TPG became the word of God?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by mannequin1

You over-reacted. He was probably inflexible some time ago when he listed it but now has realized that it's better he take your 70% offer and move the item. I would take his offer and put you're feelings aside.

Yeah you’re probably right.