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Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
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Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis

Original Question
dvdttv (171 ) View Listings
dvdttv
(1 of 7)
Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 09:27 AM

An item I bid on was sold at a low bid, but higher than mine.

Now I see it relisted at a higher price by the same seller.

Can a seller bid on his own item if he feels it is going for too low a price and then relist it again for a higher buy it now price?
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dvdttv (171 ) View Listings
dvdttv
(1 of 7)
Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 09:27 AM

An item I bid on was sold at a low bid, but higher than mine.

Now I see it relisted at a higher price by the same seller.

Can a seller bid on his own item if he feels it is going for too low a price and then relist it again for a higher buy it now price?

1 person has this question.
mrsmtn (961 ) View Listings
mrsmtn
 
(2 of 7)
Re: Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 09:28 AM

Now, even if it were possible (which it's not) why would he do that?


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pi_r_square (14 ) View Listings
pi_r_square
 
(3 of 7)
Re: Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 09:30 AM

 Can a seller bid on his own item

 

No.

That is "shill bidding", and a felony in most states.

 

eBay also tracks bids, to help assure sellers do not bid on their own items.

 

This is not to say that some sellers might find a way to do that, but there are lots easier (and less dangerous) ways to make money on eBay.

 

AND, shillers do not bid to win!  If sellers won their own items, they would still have to pay eBay fees, unless they gave themselves nonpayment strikes.  It is LOTS easier to start the bidding at the minimum acceptable price, or place a Reserve on the auction.

 

 





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mr_lees_deals (464 ) View Listings
mr_lees_deals
 
(4 of 7)
Re: Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 09:33 AM

Maybe the seller had an additional item.

Maybe the buyer said he won't pay.

Maybe the seller is refusing to sell at the low price, a violation.

But sellers cannot bid on their own items.  They may have a friend do it, but it will cost in fees and is a violation. Shill bidding is a crime and is not rampant on eBay even tho many think it is.

 

LC


"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

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leftofcenter1968 (1200 ) View Listings
leftofcenter1968
 
(5 of 7)
Re: Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 09:36 AM

How do you know they do not have more than one of the item they are selling? 

 

Shill bidding is watched for very closely by ebay. 

 

It doesn't make sense for a seller to bid to win to re-list......they still have to pay ALL the fees associated with that sale.  Does that even sound right?

 

 

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jame234 (470 ) View Listings
jame234
 
(6 of 7)
Re: Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 09:50 AM

Absolutely not.  This is a felony.  Someone bid a higher bid than yours and won and the seller probably has more than one of the items.

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karl*katz (78 ) View Listings
karl*katz
 
(7 of 7)
Re: Is it common for sellers to bid on their own items at the last minute if they think that the item will go for too low a bid? And then relis
Nov 22, 2012 11:01 AM

Read This

 

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/seller-shill-bidding.html

 

And this

 

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/tns-tutorials.html





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