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Ten years ago, eBay began a practice that, as we
reported at the time, overstated the selling prices of certain items. The practice continues, and what makes it concerning is that many people are unaware of how it impacts historic prices when doing research.
A reader recently explained his surprise when he had a $90 buy-it-now listing for which he accepted a $55 best offer.
"The buyer paid and then I looked at my listing and it said the item sold for $90 buy-it-now," he explained. "I reached out to eBay customer service about this since I was curious why the public sale page showed $90 when the item was sold for $55, but I was told that it was to protect buyers and due to complaints."
He didn't understand reason and because of the customer service rep's accent, he said he did not fully understand their response.
For buyers and sellers who need accurate selling prices, eBay's pricing practice is a problem - especially if they aren't even aware that the selling price they're reviewing may be wrong.
One seller there made an interesting point: "Best Offer is a negotiating tool, how do you negotiate your "lowest price" if the other party knows what deals you have previously given to others?"
Another seller wondered which price eBay was providing to services that license eBay data to offer subscribers of their services, such as Worthpoint.
It's a topic worth revisiting since there are people who are still unaware of eBay's practice. Let us know where you fall in the debate over whether to show the actual selling price of items where the seller accepted a best offer.