..I make them on my Ebay sales if I have more than one, and I occasionally receive them.

As a buyer, lets say the winner paid $20, I offered $19 and the 3rd bidder was for $5. I would not accept the 2nd chance offer because I figure that if the item is then relisted (which it often is), then without the winner of the last auction (because he now has the chip), that the same bidding would mean I would win for $6 with the next highest bid being the $5 bid. Doesn't always work, but it has done on a couple of occasions.

If, though, in this example the 3rd bidder was for say $16, then my 2nd chance offer of $19 wouldn't be so bad and I may accept.

When I make a second chance offer as a seller, I consider this as well. If there is a gap between the 2nd and 3rd bidder prices, then I sometimes offer free shipping to make it a better deal for the second chance recipient, while still selling my item for a price that may be better than if I relist.

Of course, there are some that just don't like second chance offers, but I seem to find enough taken to make it worthwhile. It may also depend on the value of what you are selling - most of my auctions are relatively low value (i.e. under $20 each), so the differential in bids is rarely much which may be why I find a few are accepted.

Final thought - I have had 2 occasions where a buyer didn't accept a second chance offer but then a few days later emailed asking if the item was still available because they hadn't checked their email often enough to see the offer, so I guess it may also depend on how long the offer is open for (I tend to select the 1 day option).

Just some thoughts for consideration

Jason