Amazon’s new ‘Make an Offer’ option lets you negotiate prices with sellers
Expect even better deals from Amazon sellers. Photo: Torley/Flickr CC
Seen a better deal elsewhere but want free Prime shipping? Amazon’s new “Make an Offer” option allows you to negotiate prices with sellers to bag a better deal. Just like eBay’s “Best Offer” function, it allows buyers to submit their own valuation for hundreds of thousands of items which sellers can then accept, decline, or counter.
Amazon is calling the move a “game-changer” that allows shoppers and sellers to negotiate directly like they can in physical stores and galleries. The retail giant expects it to lead to an increase in sales and lower prices, and many sellers are just as optimistic; Amazon says that almost half of those surveyed said the ability to negotiate prices with customers was important.
Spencer Eggers, owner of Coast to Coast Collectibles, said Make an Offer will “be like a Black Friday sale 365 days a year.”
“We love the ‘Make and Offer’ program, and it is only going to get bigger,” added Steven Costello, Executive Vice President of Steiner Sports Memorabilia. “Once customers know this is an available feature more offers will come, leading to more sales.”
Make an Offer will initially be available on over 150,000 items across Amazon’s collectibles, fine art, and memorabilia categories. In 2015, it will expand to hundreds of thousands of items across Amazon.com. Those eligible will have a new Make an Offer link alongside their regular price tag, which will allow potential customers to submit their valuation.
If a seller agrees with that valuation, they can accept it and the sale will go ahead. If they don’t, they can decline it. Sellers will also have the opportunity to submit a counter offer, and both parties can negotiate through email until they have agreed a deal.
Amazon insists Make an Offer is not an auction format; all negotiations between customer and seller are private, and any offers submitted cannot be seen by other shoppers. The company also says that customers will never pay more than the listed price when they use the Make an Offer option.
