eBay question

[Allen]

I know you're not allowed to submit links, but can I ask a simple question about eBay?

I've seen people close off auctions before saying the item has already been sold, but is this generally looked down on? Can you get negative feedback for this?

Reason I'm asking is coz I'm selling something and it's only got a short space of time left and hasn't got much. But, someone has approached me (through the ask the seller a question) and wants to buy it. Can I sell it to him and close the auction?

[Lujan]

Why not get the person to bid on the item?

[Allen]

They are, but I suppose he/she wants them, and wants them fast. If he's/she's willing to pay what I want to get for them (worth £30, want about £20) then why not?

[Swafe]

people have asked me and ive said bugger orf, even tho its been low

the majority of bids come in the dying minutes, hawkers like this see items what are still at a low price, realise people are pooing themselves at not making as much as they'd wanted so offer them slightly less than it should go for, to get a good deal

its up to you if you want to sell it or not, i have always left mine to finish to completion

as i said up there, ive never cancelled an auction, as fair as i know i dont think you can get bad feedback, but obviously its worth waiting around for someone wiser than me to come in and comment

[Lujan]

If you do go down that route remember that you have no comeback with eBay if it all goes a bit pear-shaped.

eBay generally frown upon this kind of thing as it leaves you with no protection, but then they would say that since they wont get a fee.

[Edit].... and Swafeman has a point too.

[Allen]

Yeah, I see your point... I'll see what he replies with.

[kushtibari]

you can't get negative feedback from it as technically your'e ending the auction without a sale - no buyer/no seller = no feedback. There's folk out there that trawl the auctions looking for stuff with no/low bids and try a little con. I'd go for swafemans advice - never end early. You can always set a reserve if your worried about the price.