posted on September 1, 2000 12:24:20 AMI was quite content to enjoy nice threads here on auction watch. However it seems that because ebay enginners can't keep that site running properly the hyena's are running loose over here this evening. So I figure we need a thread to keep them all in one place so they don't wreck unneeded havoc on the ebay outlook.
Anyone ever notice how a lot of the regulars at the ebay Q and A hold these contest centered around auctions. The most recent incarnation of the Shill Ring in disguise is what they call the butt ugly contest. Yeah it sounds like a great ideal to have a joke amongst friends. But think about it for a minute is it really a contest or a glorified shill ring to get rid of unsaleable junk at highly inflated prices all with ebay supports blessing.
I personally wouldn't complain about it but as of late one can't help but to notice that the recent winners of the auctions are all people who are not part of the group of regulars holding the auctions for fun. However a close look at the auctions clearly shows that all of the other bidders in the auctions clearly are members of that group. Yes they have a page that links all of the butt uglies together. But many of the individual auctions fail to mention that it is a contest. So unsuspecting buyer looking for something to give as a gag gift unknowingly gets shilled by the pals and comrades of the seller because it is a contest. So one has to ask is it still a contest or a nicely disguised shill ring to sell off weird items at unreal prices.
posted on September 1, 2000 12:41:20 AM
eyeofnute - Hey nothing in the thread bashes ebay except of course the part of not keeping the site running properly today. Which has lead to the hyena pack running loose polluting auction watch threads with nonsense and innuendo. But those loyal willing to die for ebay people like you will miss the point. Can we say read with comprehension before commenting on the subject of a thread.
posted on September 1, 2000 11:07:11 AM
I don't read the Ebay Q&A because the one time I looked it seemed like there was a lot of personal bantering with no topic to follow. Are you saying they have contests amongst themselves on who can garner the highest bids for a certain type of item, and then bid on each other's auctions?
The contest part sounds like it could be fun but the cross-bidding is worrisome. I don't know that much about shilling to speculate on that, but if I was trying to win such a contest, I wouldn't help someone else possibly win it by bidding on their auction.
posted on September 1, 2000 11:14:59 AM
well they constantly run the contest and constantly bid on each others butt ugly listings and each month ebayers who are not aware it is a contest win items that have been shilled under the guise of a contest.
All of this goes on with the approval of ebay support because afterall it is a contest. Everyone seems to miss that many of the winning bidders DO NOT KNOW IT IS A CONTEST. And all of the fellow bidders know it is a contest along with the seller. Sounds like a shill ring to me, but like you I don't know much about shilling. However the contest promoters are from I have noted about them seem to be masters of shilling and masters of doing it without ebay caring. Humm maybe support is in on the shill so ebay gets the inflated FVF from the ebay sanctioned shill rings. In fact maybe ebay shuts down other rings because they didn't obtain ebay approval. Keep in mind SHILLING in any form is wrong The problem is these contest at the end of the day are ebay sanctioned shills time for them and their promoters to go.
posted on September 1, 2000 11:43:43 AM
As long as the bidders actually intend to purchase the item if they win, I don't see it as a problem.
I don't think that auction sellers are obliged to disclose all of the promotion that they do, and this is just another form of promotion, it seems to me.
For example, I sometimes purchase advertising in "pay-per-click" search engines for some of my auctions, so my auctions get much more traffic, and hopefully more bids, than other similar auctions. Is this wrong? Am I obligated to disclose this?
posted on September 1, 2000 04:11:54 PM
Now, Now Networker. That's an untrue assumption on your part. I've taken part in the BU Contest in the past and plan to again.
It is definitely not a shill ring. They are fun auctions hosted by one webpage which connects each auction. You may want to review your facts before you make such condemning statements.
Why if this is a shill, what in the world would Club99 be? They're joined to one website. How about the No Reserve auctions? They're also joined to one website.
I participate in all three. None are ever shilled.
The point of the BU contest is not to get rid of some unwanted item. Most of us actually go out and buy a BU item just for the auction. I look for BU items all the time. The uglier, the better.
The auctions are run in conjunction with our other auctions and are open to any one who wants to bid. We certainly don't ask fellow Q&A'ers to bid. However, if an item appeals to someone, they are more than welcome to bid, just like anyone else that happens upon it.
The simple fact is, Networker, not all participants are posters on the Q&A. Some are lurkers. Heck, I don't even know half the ID's that are on the page.
As far as the prize? Sheesh, it's not tangible. It's for fun, that's all.
posted on September 1, 2000 04:14:19 PM
Gee Networker-for someone who is supposed to not be interested in anything having to do with eBay, you sure like to post alot of stuff you know nothing about.
The Q & A ButtUgly Contest is just that, no shilling going on, all bids that have been placed were real. All of us intending to purchase said item.
Just because you got kicked off of eBay, you are still trying to cause problems anyway you can for the Q & A. We have fun, we enjoy the board immensely now that you have been forced to disapear, and you can't stand it. Too bad!!
If I want to bid on an item, I will, and when I bid on an item and win, I pay for it. How is that shilling?
posted on September 1, 2000 04:27:34 PM
Hi networker--from January through March of 1999--the Ebay Q&A was my lifeblood. Sure there was a lot of silliness---(probably caused by my own posts ) but by and large the Q&A was a tremendous wealth of knowledge to me. Hey---I was new to this blame computer, new to online auctions, new to cyberselling. Hands down---every sincere question I asked on the Q&A was answered by volunteers on the Q&A--they were so giving of their knowledge and lord knows---I would have waited forever to actually get an answer from eBay. So----guess I am getting at---Lay off the Q&A--they are all wonderful special folk--Shill bidding???? Don't think so--the caliber of people there are so far above such nonsense. Try again--- networker
edited to add--big fat kisses to Buster! Just the best for confused newbies. Buster are you here? SMOOTCH!! jean
[ edited by jeanyu on Sep 1, 2000 04:32 PM ]
posted on September 1, 2000 04:44:07 PM
Oh Please, I love the butt ugly contest.
I have only stumbled on to it once doing a search for mermaid dolls for a friend.
Some guy had a butt ugly prom dress for sale. I laughed so hard I almost broke.
That one got emailed all over the world to various friends.
I just tried searching ebay for them but came up with nothing. Do they do this every month?
posted on September 1, 2000 04:49:24 PM
Tegan, they run the first of every month, one started today. <P>
Overworked, I have no idea who you are, but lol.
posted on September 1, 2000 07:31:33 PM
overworked - I for reasons I suspect you are aware of I take exception to being called boy. As such YOUR STUPID MOMMA IS A BOY and please call her one not me. With that said get a life you half witted poor excuse for a decent human being. Furthermore I think you breath stanks and you seem intent on polluting everything you bring your smelly butt around. There are you happy does this post make you think you made me do something bad. I actuall had you on ignore but lifted to see what stupid insanity could possibly flow from your vile and deceitful mouth. Well I read your racist IMHO post where you proceeded to call a person you know is an African American Male Boy. S you racist peice of doggy poo get yourself a life. And on another why hide your identity here reveal yourself. Or are you afraid the boggey man going to get you on ebay.
mtnmamma - Started the thread to give overworked a place to vent his/her oats instead I see they want to play childish games. You buddies at the Q and A are rather childish and quite stupid aren't they?
thriftysalez - You have no idea what I know. But let's say I know enough to ignore you.
moderator by all means lock the thread suspect overworked got what he/she was looking for via my reply t them. Sorry for the breach of the TOS but this loser has been asking for it. ignoring didn't seem to work
posted on September 1, 2000 07:43:34 PM
Huh---networker--don't know what your agenda is. But from your last post there sure is a lot of bottled up anger and piss. What happened on the eBay chats is history. Between you and whomever. I for one, have sorta kinda been an addict to these chats on AW for about a year. And suddenly, about a month ago ---you come here---like a bat out of hell--ready to take the first offense at any miscontrued syntax. Networker--I calls em like I sees em---no color involved in my opinion Just a few observances---everyone will not agree with you---sometimes we post and sound like idiots ----it's not a frickin racial issue---please for you and me and everyone reading---get over this--Thanks.
BTW, isn't Ebay interesting?
posted on September 1, 2000 07:49:18 PMnetworker67
I will lock this thread as requested but I am also issuing a formal warning for the insults you directed towards another User. Be aware that continuing to post in this manner will jeopardize your posting privileges.
MichelleG
Moderator
[ edited by MichelleG on Sep 1, 2000 07:49 PM ]
) but by and large the Q&A was a tremendous wealth of knowledge to me. Hey---I was new to this blame computer, new to online auctions, new to cyberselling. Hands down---every sincere question I asked on the Q&A was answered by volunteers on the Q&A--they were so giving of their knowledge and lord knows---I would have waited forever to actually get an answer from eBay. So----guess I am getting at---Lay off the Q&A--they are all wonderful special folk--Shill bidding???? Don't think so--the caliber of people there are so far above such nonsense. Try again--- networker