Originally Posted by
EjustE
The problems I have with that (and I have been on ebay for 11 years now and completed more than 2000 transactions, 75% of them buying rather than selling) :
a. It is against the rules. You cannot circumvent the process (and the fees it implies).
b. It is plain unfair (and unethical) against other bidders and bad business practice
a. Not strictly true. It's not against the rules as long as the transaction proceeds within eBay. eBay still get their fee.
b. Unfair, unethical? If there are no other (serious) bidders who is being disadvantaged? As for bad business practice... notwithstanding the previous point, think cash-flow.