Originally Posted by
phoebeisis
Many sales are made outside Ebay-happens all the time. An item doesn't sell, no bids or doesn't reach reserve.So industrious types will contact the seller and offer to buy it for maybe 85% of what shipping + the minimum was.Seller says ok-deal made, but even Ebay makes some money since buy is made with Paypal.
I concur - When I'm bored I troll thru unsold completed auctions looking for cheap stuff to ask about. This is a GREAT way to increase your bike spending! I make a fair offer - ha - what I think is a fair offer - and if I hear back, it's usually a done deal. Sometimes they relist for me, sometimes the crooks just ask for the money. It's all spelled out in an email sent thru EBay's system, so the guy risks getting busted to save 50 cents in fees.
Me, I just need one more broken Schwinn Stingray brake lever in my parts bin - I'll stop at nothing!!!