Message system problems

[fidosaurus]

I wanted to contact a seller before buying.  Clicked on the Message box next to the seller's rating andOother Items links.  Got a narrow vertical window at right of screen, entitled Message Seller; clicked in it; but it won't let me type anything.  Is there some magic trick I'm missing, or is the system broken?  Using Vivaldi browser, which is based on Chrome, so shouldn't be a problem.  Also the https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/resolving-issues-sellers/contacting-seller?id=4021&st=7&po=3&uci=... link gives "help" that's out of date for this messaging system.

Sometimes sellers make an offer.  Is there a way to get the offer messages delivered to my regular email, same as "you've won" - type messages?

[tressygirl]

Below are the instructions when using a desktop browser,  sorry I don't use the app so no idea if the layout is different.

When you click on Send Message don't start typing in the large box which pops up on the right, but on the smaller section at the bottom on that pop up ' Start Message' start writing there.

I always always tick ' send a copy to my email'  as an assurance that the message has sent.

@fidosaurus