Price Suggestions

Pricing options for sellers

When creating a listing, you choose how buyers can interact with your price. There are three options:

Fixed asking price

You set a specific price. Buyers see a “Bid asking price” button and can submit a bid at exactly that amount. This works well when you know the market value and want a straightforward transaction.

Minimum bid amount

You set a reserve price, effectively the lowest amount you’re willing to accept. Buyers see a “Place a bid” button and can submit any amount at or above your minimum. This gives you flexibility to see what the market is willing to pay.

Combined (fixed price + bids)

You list a fixed asking price while also accepting bids below that amount. Buyers can either bid the asking price directly or submit a lower offer. This attracts a wider range of buyers while still signalling your ideal price.

The negotiation flow

Regardless of which pricing option the seller chose, every transaction follows the same three-step negotiation:

Step 1: The buyer places a bid

The buyer submits a bid (either at the asking price or a different amount, depending on the available options) along with their shipping address. The seller only sees the buyer’s postal code and country, not the full address.

Step 2: The seller responds

The seller can accept, reject, or counter the bid. Every response must include a shipping cost estimate based on the buyer’s location. This ensures both parties know the full cost before anything is finalised.

• Accept: the seller agrees to the bid and provides shipping costs. The buyer proceeds to the next step.
• Reject: the seller declines. The buyer can submit a new bid if they wish.
• Counter-offer: the seller proposes a different price, along with shipping costs. The buyer can then accept, decline, or counter again.

Step 3: The buyer confirms

The buyer reviews the total price (item price plus shipping) and either accepts or declines. If accepted, the buyer proceeds to checkout and pays via Buyer Protection (escrow).

Each step has a 48-hour response window. If either party doesn’t respond in time, the negotiation expires automatically.

Finding the right price

Whether you’re buying or selling, arriving at a realistic price improves your experience.

For sellers

• Research comparable listings: check what similar bottles are listed for on WannaWhisky and elsewhere. Look at bottles with the same distillery, age, edition, and condition.
• Consider condition: a bottle in mint condition with original packaging commands a higher price than one with visible wear. Be honest about your bottle’s state and price accordingly.
• Ask Scotty: our AI assistant can research similar bottles and suggest a price range or recommended asking price.
• Start realistic: an overly ambitious price discourages bids. If your listing gets views but no offers, the price may be too high.

For buyers

• Compare before bidding: check whether similar bottles are available at different prices on WannaWhisky. A quick comparison helps you gauge whether a price is fair.
• Factor in total cost: remember that shipping and the Buyer Protection fee (3% of the item price) are added to your bid.
• Be reasonable: lowball bids are unlikely to be accepted and may discourage sellers from engaging. A well-considered bid shows good faith.
• Ask Scotty: if you’re unsure what a bottle is worth, Scotty can provide market context and suggest a reasonable range.

For a deeper understanding of how to assess market value, see our Appraisal guide.

Practical tips

• Don’t rush: you have 48 hours to respond to each step. Take the time to consider your options.
• Communicate clearly: if you counter-offer, the price should reflect realistic expectations. Repeated back-and-forth with minimal movement tends to stall negotiations.
• Shipping matters: buyers should factor in shipping when evaluating the total cost. Sellers should provide accurate shipping estimates — underquoting leads to complications later.
• Adjust if needed: sellers can update their asking price at any time if market feedback suggests it’s too high or too low.