posted on October 4, 2000 04:48:57 PM
I had a competing seller e-mail me and suggest we needed to come to some agreement as to what we were going to charge for similar items as undercutting each other's price was bad for both of us. I explained that price fixing is illegal and can get us both in big trouble. I pointed out I do a search and check the other prices before listing so if he stops dropping his price it will effect what I do but I am sure not going to come to any formal agreement about it. And he is sure not the only one I am competing against - just the only one who would whack
10% at a time off and then complain if I matched it.
I know that that is illegal but is it against eBay rules also? I skimmed through and could not see anything. Maybe they think it is so obvious.....
posted on October 4, 2000 07:35:08 PM
macandjan - That isn't exactly price fixing because neither of you control enough of the market to effect the overall market for the item unless of course you happen to be the only two sellers on ebay of the item.
Next nothing in ebay's rules about it. But seems to me that your friends suggestion holds little means within ebay's format because the bidder's set the final price anyway. Well at least they are supposed too but shillers even manipulate that on ebay.
posted on October 4, 2000 07:48:01 PM
I see what you mean because it is not a fixed price sales format -- in theory. In reality I
put enough pieces on that everyone usually gets as many as they want at the opening bid.
I even close auctions early and relist them when I see all the pieces are sold. But it is different because it is just a base.
