How to Contact an eBay Seller Privately before Purchase?

Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 15:47
Last edited 20/08/2017 - 10:03 by 1 other user

Hi all,

interfreak on 21/07/2017 had posted this great deal- AU$148.50 on the Google home.

The price has since travelled slightly north; now selling at AU$155 delivered. Still a good price.

So, before I pull the trigger, I want to know how to contact this seller and ask if he would sell at the earlier price.

From my experience, most eBay listers are OK with potential customers asking for a better price.
I have gotten better price on repeat purchase from a seller many times.
You suggest a drastically lower price, and eventually agree on something in between.
They then send you an invoice and the deal is done out of the eBay ecosystem.

This was possible since I had the contact options to reach the seller after that first purchase.

So, how to contact an eBay seller (maybe to ask something about the item, or to negotiate a better price), if you have not bought from them before?

Yes; there is "ask a question" on the body of the listing page.
eBay suggests common queries and their answers.

We have a choice to ask something new too.
However, such queries which are posted here will be public; on the bottom of the page, where the seller responds with their comments (mostly product technicalities)

Surely; they wouldn't want a price negotiation discussion appearing there?

Thanks for reading.
All comments appreciated.

General Discussion

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Comments

  • trustnoone on 19/08/2017 - 15:53

    No idea if this link works: http://contact.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?FindAnswers&requ… but I click on the persons name "eglobalcentral-au" on the right in sellers information. Then I click "contact" on the top right of the page that comes up. This brings me to a page with topics. Select a topic to see if your question is in there. If its not, a button should appear on the bottom of the page under "Didn't find your answer?" where it lets you to contact the seller.

    • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 16:03

      Thanks trustnoone

      Yes; there is "ask a question" on the body of the listing page.
      eBay suggests common queries and their answers.

      We have a choice to ask something new too.
      However, such queries which are posted here will be public; on the bottom of the page, where the seller responds with their comments (mostly product technicalities)

      Surely; they wouldn't want a price negotiation discussion appearing there?

      I'll append the original post with this; thanks again trustnoone; this is relevent.

      • trustnoone on 19/08/2017 - 16:19

        I think price negotiation can be turned on by the seller which adds an option on the buy page where you can click "Make an Offer". I'm guessing its up to the seller whether they want this option available or not (I'm assuming they're not open up for offers if they didn't turn on the feature). For example this link: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Google-Home-Smart-Voice-Activated… (never bought from them though, just showing for button) has the "Make offer" button where I'd imagine you could negotiate price.

        Unfortunately other then that I'm unsure how else you can contact them, apologies.

        • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 16:41

          Yes; I've taken advantage of the "make an offer" enabled listings many times.
          Those sellers who don't want such price negotiations won't turn that button on… hmmm… makes sense.

          So, can't contact seller before purchase on eBay?

  • argonide on 19/08/2017 - 15:58

    They weren't offering the earlier price though, they were selling it for $165 and then an eBay coupon decreased it to $148.50, they've since decreased the price to $155

    • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 16:09

      Oh? Thanks durd0008

      So the seller is offering it cheaper. Nice of them.

      Still could poke around a bit to see if they could buckle to something even lower.

      I would offer $130. And see how it goes.

  • Randxyz123 on 19/08/2017 - 16:45
    +4

    The questions aren't public unless the seller makes the answer public.

    For example I was selling a G27 Logitech steering wheel and someone asked a question about compatibility. Given others might ask about that I made the answer public.

    Another user asked about price negotiation to which I didn't make it public.

    If the item doesn't have "make an offer" activated I'd say you'll get a no

    • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 16:56

      Thanks, knick007
      That was information.

      Not a seller myselves yet (though wanting to; would it be a hassle?… etc.)

      So; it's clear…. if the sellers don't want to be contacted, there is no way for a buyer to do so, if not for an initial purchase?

      • Randxyz123 on 19/08/2017 - 17:22
        +1

        No click the "Send seller a message button".

        I'm saying the seller can choose to make the question public if they think others might want to know the same thing

        • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 17:49

          Yes; gotcha, and much thanks knick007.
          I'll give it a shot.

  • bobbified on 19/08/2017 - 17:13

    It's $6.50.

    But then again, I s'pose I am on OzB and every cent counts haha

    • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 17:56
      -1

      Of course bobbified

      I don't think OzBargain is of people in dire straits.
      I'm here for the sport; and some savings while I'm at it.

      I love winning a bargain, or a freebie, even when I'll square those accounts monetarily in other ways…

      (And what if the seller agrees to $130?)
      All you had to do, was to just ask…

  • Steptoe on 19/08/2017 - 17:39

    Read comments in https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/324615
    JB haggled a lower price

    • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 18:08

      Awesome!
      Just what the doc ordered.
      Thanks Steptoe

  • JimmyF on 19/08/2017 - 18:55

    Yes; there is "ask a question" on the body of the listing page.

    Winner winner, chicken dinner.

  • JimmyF on 19/08/2017 - 18:57

    had posted this great deal- AU$148.50 on the Google home.

    and ask if he would sell at the earlier price.

    That price was after the 'ebay' discounts.

    • Irate Monk on 19/08/2017 - 19:46
      -1

      All you have to do…. is ask.

      For their break even and then + some more.
      Anything beyond the overheads is profitable? surely? maybe evenif 10 cents?
      We all do understand. How businesses run?

      But (for eg. Bose QC35 is 499 retail, but $254 on an earlier bargain) we need be alert.

      As buyers here in OzB we have to demand.
      And I see, we often win.

      So, why not ask again?

      • JimmyF on 19/08/2017 - 20:57

        If you think businesses only need to make '10 cents' on an item, then you're a funny person!

        Don't confuse the 'buy' price with the sellers sale price. In these 10% off ebay sales, the seller still gets $300 for an item that ozb claims on sale as $270 after 10% discount.

        Its not really a discount to the seller, but a split payment of $270 from the buyer and $30 from ebay.

        But yes, you can only ask.

  • foxmulder on 20/08/2017 - 14:18

    Hi, even seller doesn't activate make an offer option - you can ask seller for cheaper price and seller can response with reply or reply with offer.

    It's up to the seller to accept the price you offer or they prefer multiple items for discount. Sometimes they already offer good price to begin with thus why they don't offer it in the first place or they just want to reduce enquiries on less than 50% discounts.

    If i'm you and I jsut after 1 unit, as their price seems to be the lowest, I would just buy it and get cashrewards cashback as well.

    Dont' forget to use 28 Degrees with card currency in paypal as well to avoid overseas fees.

  • JimmyF on 21/08/2017 - 13:58

    Hey OP, look what popped up today…. A even BETTER price!

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/325083

    • Irate Monk on 21/08/2017 - 17:38
      +1

      Thanks JimmyF

      Yes; this is just what the doc ordered.

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