The Second Chance Offer

Saturday 07 November 2009
by SaleHoo.com

Hi! Welcome to the last newsletter in the introductory series.

In the last few newsletters we've been focusing on what can go wrong on eBay, and how to solve problems when they do arise. I've mentioned the Second Chance Offer several times in the last few emails, and now we're finally going to have a look at how it works!

When should I used it?

If your auction didn't work out for whatever reason, eBay allows you a second chance.

It's extremely frustrating when a sale falls through, but if you had other bidders, the Second Chance Offer enables you to offer the item to them again, rather than go through the relisting process.

You can select which bidder or bidders you want to make the Second Chance Offer to within 60 days of the auction closing. Obviously, if you don't have any other bidders, then you will have to relist you item instead.

Before you make your second chance offer, be absolutely certain that your first bidder has dropped out. Even if the buyer is totally unresponsive, I recommend waiting at least 10 days, sending 2-3 reminder emails within that time, before you write them off as a dead duck. Or, in other circumstances, wait until you have received an email from the original bidder confirming that they want to withdraw from the sale.

While the delay can be exasperating, it's for your own protection. You don't want to risk negative feedback from the first bidder by acting too hastily!

**Top Tip**

If you are the recipient of a Second Chance Offer, make sure it is legitimate by going to My eBay. Sign in and make sure the Second Chance Offer appearsin My Messages. Legitimate Second Chance Offers are forwarded directly from eBay and appear in My Messages with a blue background and subject stating, "Second Chance Offer for Item..."

If you receive a second chance offer with any other title, it's a fake so send it to spam@ebay.com.

To make the Second Chance Offer, go to your original auction listing and click the Second Chance Offer link - you'll find it near the top of the page.

• Choose a time limit on your offer - 1, 3, 5 or 7 days.
• All the bidders from your auction are displayed here, so you can select who you want to receive your offer.
• A disabled checkbox next to the bidders ID means that that bidder has chosen not to receive second chance offers.
• The price for the Second Chance Offer price will be based on the maximum bid a bidder made during the auction.
• If the bidder accepts your offer, then you will have pay a final value fee based on the final purchase price.
• If you don't get a response from your second chance offer, you can try making the offer to another bidder.
• Item multiples? You can use the Second Chance Offer to sell the second one of the item to some of the other bidders.

Workbook

1. In what circumstances would you make a second chance offer?
2. What price does a second chance offer use?

Useful Links

• eBay Help
  

Join me next week for the first part of the Advanced series! We'll be taking a look at About Me pages and how you can use them to market your brand. See you then!

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