Ebay Make Offer Option

Why do some sellers list the "Make Offer" option and NEVER respond to ANY offers? They don't respond with a counter offer... they simply don't respond at all!

I am not a low baller. I make very reasonable offers and I am pissed at sellers, who do not respond, for wasting my time.

What you might not consider a low-ball offer a seller might.
It is not the sellers responsibility to reply with a counter offer.
A buyer has 3 offers....

A little courtesy still goes a long way. How long does it take to type 'Thanks, but no thanks'?

I agree with Mr. Freibergs. A courtesy response by the seller acknowledges the tendered offer and impacts potential business. As a seller of non-philatelic material I make a point to respond to all "Buy It Now" offers with a courteous Thank You and a note regarding the offer (lower than I would like, close to my price point, or a counteroffer). In my case the small amount of time taken to reply has resulted in increased sales.
seafarer

Try my ebay store (paper_antiquarian)!!

It's just plain rude to not respond at all...even if it's an unacceptable offer. As a Seller on ebay myself, even if I don't offer "Best Offer" I'm always open to working with a buyer when I do. We might not agree on a price, but a little communication goes a long way. IMO: It's just the courteous thing to do and I wouldn't deal with a Seller who just ignored me.

I wouldn't do business with them again

On a more serious note, I agree with others that it is just rude and not professional to simply ignore best offers, even if very low. On my listings, I will either accept, provide a counter offer or decline offers, but will not just let them hang without a response. If the offer is way too low, I sometimes provide guidance in my response to what type of offer may be successful or elicit a counter-offer, as well as what is just too low to negotiate a deal.

You speak in plural terms, complaining about seller"S". If this is a regular occurrence for you consider these possiblities: (1) Your offers ARE chronically low (despite your belief they are reasonable). After all, sellers want to sell the stuff, so if the offers were GOOD ones they would be saying 'yes' to you. (2) It isn't your offers...it's YOU! I often use the "Best Offer" feature to screen buyers. If I don't like the kind of feedback a buyer has left in the past for other sellers I will put the guy on my blocked list. And at that point I wouldn't waste my time giving him a courtesy reply. So if you have a history of leaving negs, neutrals, or regular "complaint-like" comments you might be seen as a low-quality buyer out there in the market and sellers like me will decide they don't want your business.

I've not encountered this situation myself but, should it happen, I would take it as a data point in developing an opinion about the seller. I do the same when I communicate about an item seeking additional information. In general, if you can't be bothered to respond to me I'm moving along to the next guy.

Terry

Timm, a few times in similar circumstances I've emailed the seller asking (very nicely) what's the least they would accept for the stamps. I'd estimate more than half replied, some not so nicely, but if nothing else it broke the ice. Most times, the seller wanted more than I thought the lot was worth but at least I knew where I stood.

Many people just aren't familiar or comfortable with haggling. "Make Best Offer" isn't really for them and I don't know why they use it. In many cultures haggling is an art form ... and an expectation.

For the same reasons I email the seller would $x offer be successful. They often reply and then I follow up. This allows me to avoid drawing interest to a lot that has an offer for several days and still has a buy it now feature. I get replies far more often this way. I believe some sellers use the offer and not reply for this same reason. Other Buyers see an offer and get antsy to just do a buy it now and steal it from under the first offerer.

ebay has an option for sellers to establish a price range where offers can be automatically declined. That eliminates the need to review offers that he considers too low. Above that set $ means it worth his time to review. It's a good option and doesn't leave the buyer hanging.

orstampman (Dave) I didn't know The Paper Antiquarian was you. In today's mail I just received the #428 I bought from you. Good to know its you. Glad to do business with you.

Thanks!

Al E. Gator - thank you! I'm also glad to know who you are - I enjoy your friendly and knowledgeable inputs in this forum (and, of course, any purchases ).