Posted on 01/28/2007 6:38:39 AM PST by COUNTrecount
And "Froogle" the new items. Most of the time you can find them cheaper.
When I know a user is shill bidding, I just don't bid on his auctions.
This is a problem that can police itself easily.
Never put in a maximum bid you aren't willing to pay for that item.
If you don't like how the transaction goes, tell that in the feedback.
Iceberg.
I don't trust Ebay, and won't use it; it's a carney's dream.
>>Shill bidding has been going on since ebay got started.
Actually, since auctions got started (live and virtual).
I've shopped on Ebay for years and am a very savy shopper. I know the value of things and what the maximum is that I'm willing to pay for an item.
I've gotten some terrific buys on Ebay and have found items that are either no longer available or can't find locally. I've decorated most of my home (knicknacks, books, hard to find CD's) with stuff that I've purchased from them.
Have I gotten ripped off there? Yes, a couple of times and fortunately it wasn't for more a than a few dollars.
Buyers simply have to be careful and not go beyond what they are willing and able to pay.
I thought the seller could place a minimum bid or a reserve on an item.
I've had problems twice on eBay since I've been a member (7 years).
Between the eBay reporting system, PayPal, Square Trade and the Post Master General, I've had no problems resolving them.
Things must be pretty quiet in the UK if they consider this a scandal.
I'm sorry, but you can't stop shill bidding. Any seller with any brains at all can do it without even getting noticed. Plus it is very hard to prove. This is yet another thing that makes for a good story, but would be a waste of law enforcement effort to actually investigate.
bump
caveat emptor.
Just a casual user of e-Bay - but we have had problems - misrepresented articles, seller backing out after a successful low bid, etc. - about 40% of the time. Have had a number of friends who rave about their 'buys' and know one couple that made a pretty respectable 'living' (@100K/year) selling on eBay stuff they picked up at yard sales.
I know that on camera equipment, particularly stuff like the Canon professional quality gear, I never even check eBay. B&H sells it new for less than what some morons are willing to pay for used equipment.
Caveat emptor applies more to stores. eBay has a large selling population of garage sale type environment.
The blame should not be on Ebay. The blame is on the abusers.
The trick is knowing exactly what you want, and exactly what you're willing to pay, and always be willing to walk away.
I would say the experience is the equivalent of going to market kiosks.
And who doesn't love a flea market?
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