posted on January 25, 2001 01:15:29 PM new
I saw this on a thread over on Ebay - that Auction interference will be defined as contacting bidders during an open auction OR after an auction closes to warn them away form a seller or item.
Sorry I don't have the exact quote - its been added to the Investigations area, but not posted on the Announcement boards, so apparently its an unofficial official rule change (the arguments on Ebay now are more about where posting it there makes it an official rule change or not) rather than the change in policy itself.
posted on January 25, 2001 01:29:02 PM new
So that means that if I list an item on eBay and it closes without any bids, I am not "allowed" to offer it for sale to anyone ... ever, unless it is sold through eBay.
posted on January 25, 2001 01:33:25 PM new
RB: No... you're talking about bottom feeding... or trying to sell to your underbidders etc.
The issue that "kat" brings up here is that of members eMailing bidders of another sellers auctions to "inform" them of something regarding the auction that they are bidding on that might disuade them from continuing to participate in the auction. Thus, INTERFERING with another sellers auction.
As far as I know, it's ALWAYS been NOT KOSHER to do this... and I believe it's even been against the rules at eBay.
I'm not aware of any recent NEW text changes on the site regarding this type of Auction Interference... but it is possible that the fine folks at eBay have decided to CLARIFY it so that there is no confusion.
posted on January 25, 2001 01:40:57 PM new
Dottie ... I totally agree that interfering with an active auction and/or badmouthing a seller after an auction has closed is a bad practice and needs to be dealt with.
I was confusing this new eBay Commandment with a discussion on another thread that is dealing with fee avoidance.
posted on January 25, 2001 01:49:13 PM new
RB: Understandable! There are so MANY changes and rules and regulations to keep track of at eBay now. *sigh*
Somebody ought ta start writin' some of this stuff down, dontchya think? *smile*
posted on January 25, 2001 04:09:50 PM new
Does this mean that Ebay will now tell buyers of auctions from sellers they have now NARU'd to beware dealing with that seller?
Does this mean that Ebay will now automatically step in when a buyer "wins" a bogus empty box, believing it is full of a Playstation?
I don't support interfering with auctions that are underway, or trying to divert buyers to another seller, but unless Ebay gives buyers the information they need and support against fraudulent sellers, I cannot see the benefit of such restrictions to bidders.
posted on January 25, 2001 04:21:11 PM new
mivona: no, the rule on auction interference isn't because eBay is going to step up to the plate and actually DO anything for bidders regarding auctions of Empty Boxes...
Bidders need to take some responsibility for THEMSELVES and carefully read the listings, check feedback and eMail the seller questions BEFORE placing bids.
BUYER BEWARE!
The rule on Auction Interference is so that one bidder can't contact another bidder and say things to make them Discontinue their participation in the auction... even AFTER the auction has ended.
AND the rule on Auction Interference is so that Other sellers will mind their OWN BUSINESS and not "bottom feed" off of another seller (even if they have the best of intentions - such as "saving" an unsuspecting Bidder from a potentially fraudulent seller) by contacting bidders of anothers auction with UNSOLICITED information about the item for sale that could cause the bidder to discontinue their participation in the otherwise successful auction.
Remember, eBay is still making money in LISTING FEES, Special FEATURES and Final Value Fees for each and every listing, whether you are gettin' ripped off or not!
