How to Submit a Best Offer for an Item on eBay

The Best Offer feature on eBay is for items that carry the "Buy It Now" option. It allows a buyer to offer a sum below the seller's asking price. The seller then can accept, decline or negotiate a compromise. You can use this option to find relative bargains. Here's how to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer

1. Sign up for eBay. Secure and activate your buyer’s account. It’s free and takes only minutes.
2. Search the site for "Buy It Now" items that also have the "Submit Best Offer" link in their listings. You cannot submit an offer to items posted without a "Submit Best Offer" link.
3. Click the "Submit Best Offer" link. This will bring up a place to enter your best offer price.
4. Enter what you consider is a reasonable offer. Don't lowball by too much or the seller will decline your offer.
5. Enter a message. This step is optional, but allows you to try to persuade the seller to accept your offer (you may have a good reason for offering a lower price than the one listed).
6. When you have read the terms and conditions that apply to offering the seller a particular price, click "Continue" and then "Commit Best Offer."

Tips & Warnings

• Submitting an offer certainly can’t hurt. This is particularly true if the item in question is not rare, and could be purchased for the "Buy It Now" price almost anytime. Why not make a lower offer?
• If the seller accepts your offer, you are obligated to pay them, and the price is no longer negotiable.
• When you attach a message, be sure not to use offensive language. These messages are neither privileged nor private.