eBay's Old-School Haggling Service
Over the weekend I happened upon a new feature on eBay that's so exhilarating and addictive, I feel a little worried. It's called Best Offer, it's available on a lot of the eBay Buy It Now sales, and it's a great way to get ridiculously good deals on otherwise set-price items. Here's how it works: Click the "Best Offer" button on the auction you want, type in what you think would be a reasonable price, and press send. The seller has 48 hours to accept, counteroffer, or reject what you've put forth. You then have the choice to counteroffer again. This part can go on for a while.
For example, I've wanted to buy this vintage Coach purse for weeks, but I thought the $72 Buy It Now price was a little high. I offered $15, negotiated back and forth with the seller three times, and wound up getting it for just $38—nearly half off. Right now there are two highly desirable, big-ticket pieces that would be good Best Offer candidates: this glossy red Chloé bag and this will-be-sexy-forever Chanel halter dress. Both are listed at well above $400, but with careful bargaining, could be had for far less.
Don't get taken on that "Chloe" bag. Says in the body of the listing that it's "Chloe style," so it's probably not the real deal. And $40 seems really steep for shipping, even if it is expedited.