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shilling on eBay

16 replies

Calloh · 15/09/2013 20:53

Right, I probably am being unreasonable. In some ways this is more of a WWYD.

Warning the below is pretty much sweating the small stuff majorly having unleashed an inner Miss Marple.

Basically I placed a bid on a gorgeous top on eBay. It was lovely and I was crushed when I was outbid but having a guilt trip after a crazed frenzy of bidding on last Thursday's fast day come to a rational, mature decision on the necessity for this new top I did not increase my bid.

Twenty minutes after the auction closed I was offered second chance as the winning bidder had apparently muddled up the sizes.

I was in a bad mood and fancied a big of amateur investigation. The winning bidder has only one feedback and has bid (without winning) on lots of the sellers items.

I refused the item and said that she was obviously kind to let the winning bid change her mind. She repliesd that people make mistakes and it was all ok. At which I got a little irked and pointed out that it was probably her who was the bidder in the first place as so many of her items are bidded upon by this woman. She replied that it wasn't, that this woman often bought from her and that was why she let her change her mind.

The thing is this probably isn't true. This profile only has one feedback so why isn't the seller leaving feedback for all these frequent purchases, equally the woman doesn't appear to have won any of the sellers other items only ratcheted up the price by 50p or so.

So should I a) ignore it, it's not that big a deal and although against eBay policy she's not actually stealing or anything. b) send a self-righteous email back puffed with moral indignation laying out my evidence Poirot style. C) send a nice email back apologising for being suspicious. D) report to eBay.

And breathe.... Wowsers need to be more succinct I think

OP posts:
LeaningTowerOfGaffney · 15/09/2013 21:06

eBay takes a dim view of this technique. I would report to eBay and let them do an investigation.

firesidechat · 15/09/2013 21:10

D) obviously.

If you're right then Ebay may act. If you are wrong nothing is lost in reporting it. In a way it is stealing because it potentially means that a buyer pays more than they need to.

Apart from anything else winning her own item means that she isn't even very good at shilling.

ThisWayForCrazy · 15/09/2013 21:15

I wouldn't respond to her. Just report to eBay and let them investigate.

SuperiorCat · 15/09/2013 21:16

D

I am 99% certain that I have had someone shill bidding on stuff that I was buying, similar situation to you OP

Calloh · 15/09/2013 21:16

Thank you. I shall report. Fireside I liked your suggestion of her ineptitude and Leaning I love your name.

OP posts:
Crowler · 15/09/2013 21:17

I have had some success in reporting rogue sellers to Ebay. Give it a go.

Calloh · 15/09/2013 21:18

Oh sorry I didn't see Superior or Crazy but thank you. It is annoying because it all just seems a waste of time.

Right back on to eBay to file my report

OP posts:
Calloh · 15/09/2013 21:18

Oh brilliant thank you Crowler that's good to know

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 15/09/2013 21:21

The same happened to me, I reported to eBay and they replied more with a generic 'who cares?' email.

I still got the satisfaction of the seller missing out on my money.

noisytoys · 15/09/2013 21:27

Definitely report. She probably has two accounts one to bid on the other. Not very clever (stupid)

SPBisResisting · 15/09/2013 21:30

Wow I'm old. I was about to come on and tell you to bid about five pence :o

noisytoys · 15/09/2013 21:31

SPB Grin

Hegsy · 15/09/2013 21:31

Yup report, what a shitty and sneaky thing to do.

oldgrandmama · 15/09/2013 21:43

I feel your pain ... there are some VERY dodgy types on EBay. I bid for, and won, a couple of old French silver forks on Ebay, beating about two dozen other bidders. I waited and waited for the items to arrive ... they never did. The seller was totally evasive, all sorts of excuses and eventually, very reluctantly, returned my money. I just KNOW he accepted an after-the-sale bid from a disappointed bidder, but what can you do? Apart from never buy anything he advertises again? I thought of asking EBay to check up on him, especially any correspondenc he had with unsuccessful bidders, but hell, life's too short and I did (eventually) get my money back. To be fair, most of my EBay purchases have gone really well.

SunnyL · 15/09/2013 21:44

I got stung badly a few years back by shill bidding. But that was back when ebay didnt outlaw it. The situation ended up getting very nasty and we had to call the police as they were threatening me as i was refusing to hand over the goods. I reckon you should report it as its fraud and plain wrong behaviour.

Doubtfuldaphne · 15/09/2013 22:43

There is a lot of dishonesty going on on ebay now. Just report her and hope they sort it out.
I've used ebay since 2003ish and have noticed a huge difference in how buyers and sellers act now to how it was then. It's a real shame but I guess that's what happens when it becomes a massive site.
This week I have a dispute with a woman who sold a me something completely different to the photo and is angry with me for asking for a full refund. My sister bought her dh a designer watch which hasn't arrived yet tracking says it was signed for. I also have people scamming the ebay protection policy getting full refunds and not returning goods. I don't know why I bother sometimes!

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