Another winning bid cancelled

grayme-m

A few years back I noticed a seller selling ten items in a dutch auction for a computer component.

I was on for a deal as one of the few bidders, getting for the listing price.

Then at the last minute, a bidder bids on ten items at a higher price so only a few bidders got the item as they had bid higher.

This was not the only time, when I reviewed the history, it seemed to happen to all their dutch auctions.

I reported to eBay, they didn't do anything as there was 'no evidence'.

So OP, I understand your pain.

Crisp_£_note

goater78 wrote: »

It's an auction so you can't set a price:)

Sorry I think I must have meant setting a starting price at the lowest price a seller is prepared to sell their item at. I am not sure of the proper wording sorry.

System

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

You may laugh but I understand Ebay have prosecuted someone for this.

I'm prepared to risk it. If you see a devastatling handsome man being led away by the police then you will know my gamble failed

shaun_from_Africa

goater78 wrote: »

I'm prepared to risk it. If you see a devastatling handsome man being led away by the police then you will know my gamble failed

But why would they arrest your mate for helping with the shill bidding instead of you!

wary

Happened to me a few years ago.

Someone relisted a vintage annual at £0.99 after it didn’t sell for the original starting price of £24.99. I think he picked a quiet trading time over the festive period, and as a result, mine was the only bid. Hours before it was due to complete, when it was too late to actually withdraw the auction, he cancelled my bid with an excuse that clearly didn’t make sense. So my wife bid with seconds to go and won. Alas he refused to send it saying his son had relisted it by mistake in his absence and he no longer had it. However, his activity over that period proved this to be a lie and his actions were entirely commensurate with someone who realised his prize annual was going to sell far too low. When we confronted him with this, he just ignored us.

eBay had a policy (at that time at least) stating that they’ll take tough action against this kind of behaviour. When I complained, they just said that they can’t force him to sell it and so there’s nothing they can do. I said they could close his account as a sanction, or at least threaten to unless he honours his commitment. “Yes, good idea. We’ll consider this for the future” ... as if they hadn’t already thought of it! They’re only interested in getting as much money as possible and wouldn’t want to take such action against a regular seller. It’s just a shame that they can’t be honest up front and say they’re not interested, rather than pretending they’ll take tough action against any perpetrator.

clhs

wary wrote: »

Happened to me a few years ago.

Someone relisted a vintage annual at £0.99 after it didn’t sell for the original starting price of £24.99. I think he picked a quiet trading time over the festive period, and as a result, mine was the only bid. Hours before it was due to complete, when it was too late to actually withdraw the auction, he cancelled my bid with an excuse that clearly didn’t make sense. So my wife bid with seconds to go and won. Alas he refused to send it saying his son had relisted it by mistake in his absence and he no longer had it. However, his activity over that period proved this to be a lie and his actions were entirely commensurate with someone who realised his prize annual was going to sell far too low. When we confronted him with this, he just ignored us.


Your story makes me angry. I hate this kind of nefarious activity on Ebay. I have to agree that Ebay are only really interested in their PBIT and not customer service.