eBay is always nudging me to send offers to interested buyers—but until recently, I held back. I wasn’t sure if it was worth the effort or if I’d end up discounting too aggressively. But with sales needing a little spark, I decided to give it a try.
Here’s the deal: eBay tracks potential buyers who are watching your items or have added them to their cart but haven’t checked out. When you send an offer, those buyers are 30% more likely to complete the purchase. That’s a stat worth paying attention to.
How to Send Offers on eBay
To get started, head to your Seller Hub:
- Go to Active Listings
- Click the “Send Offers – eligible” button to see which items qualify
You can send bulk offers to all eligible listings, but I prefer a more cautious approach. I price my items competitively already, so I send offers individually to avoid cutting too deep into my margins.
To send an offer on a single item:
- Click the “Send offer” link next to the listing
- Or, select multiple items, click “Actions”, then “Send Offers”
You’ll be prompted to enter either a percentage or dollar amount off. eBay requires at least a 5% discount for items under $200, or 3.5% for those over $200.
You can also choose whether to allow counteroffers and include a personalized message. Once you’re ready, hit “Send Offers.” Offers expire after 48 hours.
Pro Tip: Use the Data!
While you’re in the offers section, scroll to the right—there’s a goldmine of data waiting for you. eBay tracks views, watchers, and more. I only recently discovered this, and wow, it’s a game-changer. It helps you target the right listings and make smarter decisions.
Timing Is Everything
Send offers when buyers are most likely to see them—weekends tend to be better than weekdays. If you send one on a Monday morning, it might expire before the buyer even checks their messages.
My plan? Make sending offers part of my weekend routine. It’s a simple tool, and I’m curious to see how it impacts my sales.
Final Thought: Don’t Be Shy—Just Hit Send
If you’re on the fence like I was, take the leap. Sending offers is low-risk, data-backed, and surprisingly empowering. You’re not just waiting for buyers—you’re inviting them to close the deal. And who knows? That little nudge might be all it takes to turn watchers into buyers.
Let the weekend offers roll—and let the sales follow.