What does "Make Offer" mean to you?

[toyman]

I agree with palitoy, I've made offers in the last few weeks and offered within $10.00 of the price and they have only moved a $1.00 or $2.00, I just decline and move on

[great_chandel]

I cannot tell you how many sellers on Ebay have told me the following when I have e-mailed them on a "make offer" for an item: "I put make offer just to see what people might be willing to pay for it." It seems like it is nothing more than a fishing expedition to see what someone might pay. The other response I get a lot has someone telling me he will go no lower than say $900 on a $1000 item. I always respond, "if you know you will go no lower than X amount, then why put make offer to begin with?" Again, it is a fishing expedition..................

[Mikey]

As a buyer I always think "make offer" is mostly put on an item that sellers hopes to get more for than the going rate.

It's like walking through a dirt mall and nothing is priced at the toy tent.

You know he's sizing you up when you ask him "how much" ?

That's just the way I look at it.

[palitoy]

Just curious, I've been using this both as a seller and a buyer a lot lately.

In my head, it means you've probably got 20-25% leeway at best to play with. I never go lower than that because I think the opportunity to discuss the price fades when you move into "insulting territory".

As a seller, I've had people request an 80% discount on items twice this week.

As a buyer, I've made two offers on items this month, both at the asking price less 20%, my counter offers have been 1) a 3% reduction and 2) a 2% reduction in the price.

Why even have "Make offer" if you're only going to kick off $10?

What's your mantra with the make offer?