Stopping people for putting a watch on my listings (2024)

FAQs

Do watchers on eBay usually bid? ›

Eventually, the sale time ends and you end up with many watchers, but no bids, offers, or sale. Why? Watchers can be very encouraging, but they do not always translate into buyers. People watch items for a number of reasons, and may not always intent to purchase.

If you list an item publicly you cannot prevent others from looking at or watching your listings except by ending the listing entirely.

And only eBay sellers can see the number of watchers on their listings. So, high watch counts don't generate any external social proof or sense of urgency for shoppers. But a rising watcher count is still a useful signal that someone is interested in your product.

There are many reasons for watching an item; sometimes buyers watch an auction in order to keep tabs on other buyers' bids, sometimes they add items to their watchlist to compare similar items before deciding which one to buy, sometimes it's used as a way to signal interest to the seller, and sometimes the watchlist ...

They are interested, but it's too expensive, or they want to see how an auction plays out before committing. They are somewhat interested but haven't made up their mind if they want to buy yet, or they are comparing similar items.

Yes - with no bids, you can end an auction with no penalty at any time. wooden_flower Volunteer Community Mentor. eBay member since 2001.

ACCORDING TO A FEW PEOPLE, EBAY DOES HAVE BOTS THAT WATCH ITEMS, AND THAT "THEY" (WHOA MIB MAYBE) ARE AWARE OF IT AND IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A DECADE OR MORE. 2. BUYER'S CAN "BLOCK" SELLER'S FROM SENDING OFFERS." SO IF THAT'S TRUE, THEN IT COULD BE THAT SOMEONE IS WATCHING YOUR ITEM.

Block a buyer

Go to the Block bidders or buyers from your listings - opens in new window or tab page. Enter the buyer's username in the text box (you can add up to 5,000 usernames). Select Submit.

It means that some eBayers have decided to watch your listing. They may be doing so for a variety of reasons, such as, wanting to know what it sells for, or so they can comparison shop, or they may be interested in bidding closer to the end of the listing.

Why am I getting offers not bids on eBay? ›

As you theorized, potential buyers often make offers that are higher than the opening bid, because they hope to get the item cheaper that way than if the auction ran its full time with regular bidding. Thus, many of these offers are legitimate. There are also offers from potential scammers.

It is not a glitch. The view count is a rolling count from the last thirty days. Views fall off as the days pass.

eBay only displays the number of watchers under certain conditions; if it is above some minimum number, and if no other messages supersede the watch count. There are several possible custom messages that might be shown to the buyer, such as "a seller you have purchased from before" or "located near you".

Sellers cannot identify who is viewing their items, but eBay gives sellers the opportunity to send offers without knowing who the offer is going to. If the buyer takes advantage of the offer, then the seller finds out identifying information.

As far as collecting money and not sending the items the buyer is protected and can file an Item Not Received case with eBay and if the seller cannot prove delivery the buyer will be fully refunded.

eBay bidding tips

You stand a greater chance of getting the item by placing your highest bid in the closing seconds. If an auction listing has a reserve price, bid up to that amount as early as possible, so other bidders aren't attracted by the low starting price.

Buyers (watchers) get notifications of price drops & if the seller sends them an offer.

The seller cannot see the hidden maximum of the leading bidder. Not unless it is not hidden and your full bid amount is already used up and the price is showing as less than a full increment over the underbidder's maximum (in which case everyone in the world sees it).