Re: Concerned about shill bidding on eBay
Peter
> In recently won a coin auction on ebay, I noticed that the 3 persons bidding
> against me seem to only bid on this on venders items, 87%, 88% and 96%
> respectively.
>
> I looked at some other auctions he runs and the same pattern emerges, just
> for kicks I looked at other venders I bid on and no similar pattern, not
> even close.
>
> This is not for something rare and exotic just run of the mill $10 to $40
> coins.
>
> Do you think this should be reported to ebay? Seems fishy to me, like trying
> to drive up the price. Another option is I am crazy, and just imagining
> things.
>
> Just to be clear ---
>
> Step (1) Vender lists perhaps 50 different coins starting at $.01, all low
> value stuff like silver rounds or silver dollars.
>
> Step (2) Within a few hours every single coin has 1 bid placed for exactly
> $.01, all by bidders with 80-90% of their bids only with this vender.
>
> Step (3) I place a modest bid like $1.29.
>
> Step (4) IMMEDIATELY there-after another bid comes up a few cents over
> mine, now by another bidder with 90%+ bids only with same vender.
>
> Step (5) I wait till the day the auction is almost over then place a
> relatively high bid (like $25) and watch, Slowly the bids increment up, all
> by bidders with 80-90% bidding only with this vendor.
>
> Step (6) Out of 50 auctions from this vender, all the items I win are for my
> bid of $25, and all the auctions I loose are for $26. Now if someone has a
> preset bid higher than me, why wouldnt some of these be for $25.01 or
> $25.50? I know you are not supposed to be able to place another bid of
> less than $1 if its over $25 but if its a proxy bid you can put anything.
> This just bothers me to no end.
>
> I do understand the bidding process, and don't mind loosing, I don't even
> mind the $25 price, since I do want this coin. But in checking many other
> coin auctions I found that I am raorely bidding against anyone else that has
> over 5% exclusive to the vender bids. Also most venders do not have all
> their auctions for get any bids at all the first day or two.
>
> So my question still stands, should this be reported to e-bay or is it a
> waste of time. I'm sure if they want too they have the tools to go much
> deeper than I can, with not knowing who the other bidders are or their
> history with a given vender in detail.
>
> Sorry for the long rant, but, I hope it fully explains my concerns. And does
> so without needlessly damaging someones reputation if I am wrong. But I do
> have this persons real address if I need to make a report to the
> authorities.
Many strange things happen on eBay.
It sounds as though (if there is a shill) the shill may now have the
coins. My guess (if it is a shill) is that the coins will appear
again on an auction. If you bid again, perhaps whoever it is will
outbid you again.
Presumably, Paypal & eBay each get a commission on the deal, each time
the shill wins the coins.
Eventually, he will either run out of money, patience or possibly just
give up and sell at a reasonable price.
Meanwhile, by watching, you might have a somewhat more interesting
scenario to report. Still, I wonder if eBay will do anything about
it, since they would keep making money.
Charles Finly
My understanding is that some dealers have arrangements with other
dealers to bid up each others lots, so they they get the desired
prices. If the other dealer actually ends up winning they just mark
the item paid and then list it again.
Peter
>
> - Show quoted text -
It would not surprise me. Even so, if it is paid, they will owe eBay
a fee. They will also have to sell it again.