Question on eBay Auctions

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks D.P - I'm not so sure though....

If the first and only bid is $50 and the starting bid was .99 (99 cents), if there was only one bidder at 50, the auction shows 99 cents until someone "pushes up" that bid. So once the $100 is retracted, I would think the current leading bid goes back down to 99 cents. If the shill bidder now placed a bid at 49, the legitimate bidder would become the high bidder at 50. So the shill drove up the price, but avoided winning.

Anyway, this is just my example - interested in hearing real stories on why people get concerned when they click on a bidder and it shows a high percentage of bids with same seller and a high number of retractions - just trying to work it out in my head. Thanks.

[D.P.Johnson]

Originally Posted by DezHood

Thanks D.P - I'm not so sure though....

If the first and only bid is $50 and the starting bid was .99 (99 cents), if there was only one bidder at 50, the auction shows 99 cents until someone "pushes up" that bid. So once the $100 is retracted, I would think the current leading bid goes back down to 99 cents. If the shill bidder now placed a bid at 49, the legitimate bidder would become the high bidder at 50. So the shill drove up the price, but avoided winning.

Anyway, this is just my example - interested in hearing real stories on why people get concerned when they click on a bidder and it shows a high percentage of bids with same seller and a high number of retractions - just trying to work it out in my head. Thanks.

Yes, the way you explained it in your second post is correct...There are quite a few posts on this board regarding shill billing and bid retractions...

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks, wanted to make sure I had it straight. I appreciate it.

I know a lot of board members strongly hold the opposite view, but I find myself on the side of not expecting the consignor to police their auctions. I would think they have enough to deal with. eBay should be the ones doing the policing in my opinion.

[D.P.Johnson]

Originally Posted by DezHood

Thanks, wanted to make sure I had it straight. I appreciate it.

I know a lot of board members strongly hold the opposite view, but I find myself on the side of not expecting the consignor to police their auctions. I would think they have enough to deal with. eBay should be the ones doing the policing in my opinion.

I hear what you're saying, but there are quite a few buyers who won't bid with certain sellers when they find out they're not actively policing their auctions. It becomes a moral/ethical thing for the buyers. Anyway, it sounds like you're already aware of all this so there's no need to preach to the choir. Good luck with your consignments...

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by DezHood

Thanks, wanted to make sure I had it straight. I appreciate it.

I know a lot of board members strongly hold the opposite view, but I find myself on the side of not expecting the consignor to police their auctions. I would think they have enough to deal with. eBay should be the ones doing the policing in my opinion.

I agree that eBay should enforce the rules they say they have in place.