Bidding Etiquette?

Erik Tracy
Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
edited January 2010 in The Clubhouse
Ok, suppose you are a buyer and you make an on-line offer and the seller has 2-days to respond to your offer.

But - you don't hear anything back in a day.

Suppose another seller has an alternate product you are keenly interested in.

What would be the proper etiquette?
a) wait until the first offer expires before making an offer on the 2nd product?
b) make an offer on the 2nd product and if the first seller replies back say that you've moved on and you retract your offer?

If you make an offer are you 'committed' (etiquette wise) to follow thru, even though the buyer could simply not reply at all and you should wait until the offer terms 'expire'?

H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
Post edited by Erik Tracy on
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Comments

  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,994
    edited January 2010
    Don't deal with those types of situations to begin with. Since you have already entered this situation, just be honest and up front with both sellers. Let them both know what's going on.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • BeRad
    BeRad Posts: 736
    edited January 2010
    If it is kijiji or craigslist:
    I say make the second offer, who cares. If the second guy responds right away, he's more interested in making a sale than maximizing profits.

    The customer is always right!

    Somewhere like here where it is more of a community than a marketplace, I'd try to get a hold of the first seller again to see if they want to sell or try with someone else allowing you to move on.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,045
    edited January 2010
    Interesting... I have this situation too (sort of). I put an offer on A-gon today and got an out of office reply, which means the guy is using his work email and can't answer until tomorrow. I also have 2 similar items bookmarked, but now I'm stuck until tomorrow with the outstanding offer.

    A-gon rules state that if the seller accepts your offer you must buy it. So IMHO the proper etiquette is to wait the 48 hours for the outstanding offer to expire before offering on the similar items (unless you don't mind buying both and just reselling one)
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    Interesting... I have this situation too (sort of). I put an offer on A-gon today and got an out of office reply, which means the guy is using his work email and can't answer until tomorrow. I also have 2 similar items bookmarked, but now I'm stuck until tomorrow with the outstanding offer.

    A-gon rules state that if the seller accepts your offer you must buy it. So IMHO the proper etiquette is to wait the 48 hours for the outstanding offer to expire before offering on the similar items (unless you don't mind buying both and just reselling one)


    I just think that the rules are not fair. I say that if the seller does not reply, he MUST sell based on your offer.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited January 2010
    It's not like anyone forced you to make the first offer. You knew the terms ahead of time, so wait the 2 days for him to reply. If he doesn't, then move on. I personally would contact the 2nd seller now and let him know my interest, but tell him that you have a possible prior commitment.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2010
    tcrossma wrote: »
    It's not like anyone forced you to make the first offer. You knew the terms ahead of time, so wait the 2 days for him to reply. If he doesn't, then move on. I personally would contact the 2nd seller now and let him know my interest, but tell him that you have a possible prior commitment.

    I just think the 'etiquette' should go both ways - if a seller is playing '****' to the highest bidder at least send an email acknowledging the offer has been received and is under consideration.

    Sorry...just grumpy cuz the Chargers have imploded...yet again....f*ck 'em.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited January 2010
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    I just think the 'etiquette' should go both ways - if a seller is playing '****' to the highest bidder at least send an email acknowledging the offer has been received and is under consideration.

    Sorry...just grumpy cuz the Chargers have imploded...yet again....f*ck 'em.

    Again, you didn't have to make the initial offer, and you knew the terms going in. Assuming you are talking about Audiogon's "make offer" function, it's the site, not the seller, that sets the rules. And not everyone sits by their computer 24/7 (although I do) so 2 days isn't terribly long. I never use the "make offer" function on the 'gon, and instead just send an e-mail expressing my interest (without commitment).
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,045
    edited January 2010
    tcrossma wrote: »
    I never use the "make offer" function on the 'gon, and instead just send an e-mail expressing my interest (without commitment).

    I can tell you as a seller that can be annoying. A legit question about the item is one thing, but when people send emails asking if it's still available or if I will take ****, etc, then it borders on inconsiderate.

    If it doesn't say "Sale Pend" or "Sold" make an offer or don't waste my time!
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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited January 2010
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    I can tell you as a seller that can be annoying. A legit question about the item is one thing, but when people send emails asking if it's still available or if I will take ****, etc, then it borders on inconsiderate.

    If it doesn't say "Sale Pend" or "Sold" make an offer or don't waste my time!

    I find the "make offer" function to be annoying since you get nothing but lowballers. I'd rather someone e-mail me, express their interest, ask if it's still available, and then work with me on it. But really, whichever method is used can be an annoyance if you're just dealing with a tire-kicker.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,724
    edited January 2010
    Eric,
    If this is an Ebay situation, then its not a matter of etiquette, you will be contractually obliged to purchase the item if they accept the offer. I always wait until an offer expires before I consider buying elsewhere. Nobody wants a non-paying bidder hit against them.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2010
    billbillw wrote: »
    Eric,
    If this is an Ebay situation, then its not a matter of etiquette, you will be contractually obliged to purchase the item if they accept the offer. I always wait until an offer expires before I consider buying elsewhere. Nobody wants a non-paying bidder hit against them.


    I get it and follow the rules - it would just seem as a matter of courtesy and 'etiquette' for the seller to do his part in a 'fair deal' and acknowledge receipt of the offer.....all I have is silence and crickets....so I'll bide my time, let the offer expire and know never to deal with this seller again.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited January 2010
    Whenever I've used "Make an offer" on weekends it's always Monday before I hear anything.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited January 2010
    Fongolio wrote: »
    Whenever I've used "Make an offer" on weekends it's always Monday before I hear anything.

    Fair enough - probably a good explanation.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2010
    I have only used Audiogon in this situation. When I make an offer I always ask they if they do not plan to accept to please decline the offer rather than letting offer expire.

    This has worked for me the 2 times I have do it.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,724
    edited January 2010
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    I get it and follow the rules - it would just seem as a matter of courtesy and 'etiquette' for the seller to do his part in a 'fair deal' and acknowledge receipt of the offer.....all I have is silence and crickets....so I'll bide my time, let the offer expire and know never to deal with this seller again.

    Many times, the seller is just waiting to see if any other offers come in that are better. If we are talking Ebay, I'm pretty sure (based on my previous selling experience with best offers) that the Ebay system won't let the seller send you a message. It only lets them decline or counteroffer.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,045
    edited January 2010
    thsmith wrote: »
    I have only used Audiogon in this situation. When I make an offer I always ask they if they do not plan to accept to please decline the offer rather than letting offer expire.

    This has worked for me the 2 times I have do it.

    That's a good idea. I guess you could see how the seller might want to sit on an offer waiting for a better one to come in and then accept at the last minute (or just let it slide).
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