My Multiple Personalities

Sometimes people roll their eyes when I tell them I have two different eBay IDs….but after a quick explanation they understand.  I have my “store” ID (rae.on.the.bay) and then I have another that is exclusively auction style listings (ask.rae). 

Almost everything in my eBay store is listed as “buy it now”  and I use the “ask.rae”  site for auction listings, and for teaching purposes.   When I teach it is good to be able to show the exact steps needed to list an item.  I also use this alternate site when I am at my California home--I can still sell on eBay--I put the main store "on vacation" while I am away from my inventory... 

Sometimes people use two different IDs for another reason:  one for buying and one for selling.  Anyone else have two IDs? 

Buy it Now - Make an Offer

I am continually amazed (but at the same time, pleased…) that people will buy an item on eBay for my full asking price when it also has a link where they can make an offer and possibly get it for less than the listed price. 

It happened again today….I had a book on tying fishing flies listed at $17.59.  I also added a “make an offer” link.  When you list an item that way eBay gives you the option of stipulating a bottom line for offers.  In this case, my bottom line was $10.  The buyer didn’t even make me an offer…I’m not complaining—just commenting! 

So, if you are shopping on eBay and see that “make an offer” option, go ahead and try!  You will probably get a good deal….Although once I was buying some electronic equipment for hubby and the seller had his bottom line at just one penny under the asking price—I think he was just using the make an offer to attract more viewers. And, while we’re talking about it, keep in mind that you can only make 3 offers for an item per day (if your offer is less than the seller’s bottom line, and you keep raising your offer, but never make it to his cut-off point, eBay will stop you after 3 tries).