How to Use Best Offer Effectively: Practical Tips for Buyers and Sellers

Overview

Best Offer is more than a button — it is a negotiation channel that, when used deliberately, can increase sales and secure better deals. This entry gives beginner-friendly, actionable tips for both sellers and buyers so you can make the most of Best Offer without wasting time or goodwill.

Seller best practices

• Decide which listings qualify: Use Best Offer on items with flexible pricing: slow-moving inventory, collectibles, or higher-priced goods where space for negotiation exists. For fast-moving, low-margin items it's often better to keep fixed pricing.
• Set a floor: If your platform allows, set a minimum acceptable offer to prevent unworkable lowball attempts. The floor should cover your costs, fees, and a reasonable margin.
• Respond quickly and politely: Timely replies keep buyers engaged. A simple counter-offer or quick decline is better than no response.
• Use smart counter-offers: Counter with a price that leaves room for compromise (e.g., if listed at $100 and offered $70, counter $90). Aim to meet buyers partway and signal firmness on key limits like shipping.
• Bundle strategically: For sellers with multiple related items, encourage higher offers by offering bundle discounts and explicitly indicating willingness to combine items for one lower price.
• Automate where possible: If your platform supports automated accept/reject rules, use them to streamline obvious cases (e.g., auto-accept offers above a certain threshold). But maintain manual control for nuanced negotiations.
• Track and learn: Keep a simple log of offers accepted, declined, and countered. Patterns will help you refine pricing and minimums.

Buyer best practices

• Do market research: Check similar listings to determine a fair offer. If comparable items sell near the ask price, a modest discount request is more likely to succeed.
• Make reasonable first offers: Lowballing often annoys sellers and reduces the chance of a productive dialogue. A useful rule is to start 10–25% below the listing, depending on category and rarity.
• Explain your offer: A short, polite message that explains your position (e.g., "I love the jacket but my budget is $X") increases acceptance odds. It humanizes the transaction.
• Consider timing: Send offers when sellers are more likely to respond quickly (early evening, weekends for individual sellers). If an item has been listed for a long time, sellers may be more willing to accept lower offers.
• Bundle and be flexible: Offer to buy multiple items or accept less favorable shipping terms to make your offer more attractive without raising the price.
• Use counter-versus-accept strategy: If a seller counters, review costs and respond promptly. If the counter is close to your target, accept to avoid losing the item.

Sample phrases

Buyers: "Hi — I'm very interested. Would you accept $X including standard shipping?" Sellers: "Thanks for your offer. I can do $Y, or $X if you buy two items. Let me know." Short, clear messages work best.

Handling multiple offers

If you receive several offers, be transparent when appropriate. On many platforms you can choose the best offer or send a timed counter-offer to multiple interested buyers. Prioritize serious buyers who have positive ratings or have asked relevant questions.

Accounting for fees and shipping

Both parties should remember that the agreed price is not the seller's net. Sellers should ensure accepted offers cover platform fees, payment processing fees, and shipping. Buyers should confirm whether shipping is included in the offer or added afterward.

Security and scams

Beware of off-platform payment requests, unusual requests to ship before payment clears, or offers that require circumventing the platform. Use platform-approved payment and shipping to preserve buyer/seller protections.

Wrap-up



Using Best Offer effectively boils down to preparation, courtesy, and clear rules. Sellers should define minimums and respond quickly; buyers should research and propose fair offers with a polite message. Both sides benefit when negotiations are transparent and conducted on the platform to preserve protections and records.