I wish that people who use the make offer form were actually serious about the offer, instead just using the question form would be better. I get offers and accept them, never to hear from the buyer again. I usually send an invioce and an e-mail. The real problem is that the item is marked sold automatically. Invariably it is a kid or a member who has joined the same day as the offer was made. I know some have not marked sold until getting paid, but I kinda like it being marked sold. That way I don't get any more offers, it has been sold. Any more ideas? Maybe I just need to screen my buyers better,huh?

you can rate them as non-responsive buyers and as those negative ratings build up those buyers will think twice about making false offers. we will build a screeing tool then where you can opt to NOT receive offers from anyone who has more than x number of false offers!

marc

I usually do rate them as ok. and a comment. Newcomers really. That's a good idea about screening. I have tried not accepting some offers and coreesponding thru e-mails instead, and seems to work pretty good, but we don't get the benefits of the make offer forms. I'll see how it goes.

Actually, if you read the offer form it states NOT to use the form unless you are serious. We receive so many offers back and forth that a better solution would be to have a "Conditional Acceptance". This would allow you to mark the item "Sold" pending payment. If payment is not received, it goes back live.

Having said that, our current system is really designed to do that. If you mark an item sold, you can go back and cancel the sale and revive the ad with no harm. You have the bonus of being able to rate the individual as well. No computer tool can substitute for human judgment. I encourage you to still use the forms but possibly wait until marking something sold. That way, you can accumulate backup offers if the first falls through.

Michael