posted on October 28, 2000 07:10:17 AM new
My auctions are bottom fed and spammed all the time by other people who do not list on Ebay. I still do okay and I have had several buyers e-mail me to let me know that they have been spammed, bottom fed and interferred with during the auction process. I have had MANY MORE bidders who have not communicated the fact, though I know that if 2-3 of my bidders on an item have had e-mails, they all have.
I don't like it, I hate it, I think it is dispicable, but I also cannot do anything about it except turn them in to Safe Harbor (and we all know how much action THAT gets!).
On Yahoo, all of the bidders show up if you click the bidding history while the auction is still in process, however, it is just their user names and no addresses are available.
In this way, you could detect shill bidding by the user name, but it eliminates the bottom feeding and auction interference.
Also, once the auction is completed, all of the winner's e-mail addresses are visible to the seller. I do like the system.
Interestingly, since there are no fees, Yahoo doesn't care--to my knowlege--if you offer to sell the bidder multiples of what they bid on, but I have rarely had anyone ask to purchase more than one of my items (though I do not offer to sell more items in my EOA's so that may be a factor there). They often ask if I will put another like item up for bidding, but don't buy it outright until we have dealt several times through auctions and built up trust.
I think that people like the idea that at least they can leave feedback to indicate that the sale went south if the seller doesn't follow through.
posted on October 28, 2000 07:58:05 AM new
Uh oh, I just may be one of those people you are taking pot shots at
Here is what I do, feel free to slam me. I really did not feel I was doing anything that would violate another seller on eBay. But maybe I am incorrect.
Since I buy and sell on eBay I always check both open and closed auctions for items to purchase and current market values on items I have to sell. When I come across a recently sold item that I have in stock I sometimes contact bidders to see if they are interested in purchasing my item. I generally offer the item at closing price or at their bid price. Depends on the item. I never contact the winning bidder, nor do I contact any bidders before the close of an auction. Also, anyone purchasing anything from me gets the same respect and guarantees they would get should they purchase it from me on an eBay auction.
I have been buy and selling on eBay since 1997. I have listed a lot of items that have sold, and a lot that have not. Hence, I have paid eBay a fair amount of change. Not to mention all the items I have bought! So I don't feel I am cheating eBay out of fees, especially since it was probably an item I have already listed and was not sold.
So my point is, am I violating the sellers code of ethics? I am curious as I do not wish to step on peoples toes on eBay. It is a great community and I enjoy being a part of it.
posted on October 28, 2000 10:07:40 AM new
IMHO, in the real world of buying and selling you are not violating any "seller's code of ethics". OTOH, in eBay's world you probably
are
posted on October 28, 2000 10:13:57 AM newwpc Wow, that surely opened yourself up. Hopefully you won't let these folk disuade you from continuing on the right path of salesmanship.
Most people here are very against just such activity, so might want to get an different email to make your contacts with and never let them know your true eBay identity.
Ain't Life Grand...
posted on October 28, 2000 10:26:37 AM newtwelvepole
You are probably right. Did not think of that. Luckily this ID is not my eBay ID. Although I have no intention of hiding as I really didn't know I was committing a boo boo. But other than the fact that eBay feels it looses income, I really don't know why sellers get all fired up on this. If I sell an item on eBay and someone else sells the same thing to a loosing bidder, more power to them. The world has room for both of us
[ edited by wpc on Oct 28, 2000 10:27 AM ]
