ebay observations

alykatz

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

There could be another reason why shill bidding is used; The Advanced Search form includes an option to only show auctions for which there is at least 1 bidder. I use this feature all the time.

There is nothing more unattractive than an item languishing with zero bids; and as a consequence, I look for items where someone else places value in the item. Especially useful for DVDs which you intend to watch and then resell.

I`m sorry but i see no legit reason to shill bid ever.
As for your explanation of nothing more unattractive than an item without a bid, well i spat my tea out laughing at that one.

lovinituk

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

There is nothing more unattractive than an item languishing with zero bids; and as a consequence, I look for items where someone else places value in the item. Especially useful for DVDs which you intend to watch and then resell.

You're kidding, right? I've got many bargains by bidding on listings with no bids. I don't need someone else opinion to know whether something is of value or not!

makeyourdaddyproud

alykatz wrote: »

I`m sorry but i see no legit reason to shill bid ever.
As for your explanation of nothing more unattractive than an item without a bid, well i spat my tea out laughing at that one.

It's simply a game of risk; If you were to buy a DVD to watch and then resell that had no bids and 1 day to go, do you really think your chances will be any better when you come to sell?

Or, there are two identically named £300 headphones, one has 8 bids the other has none for various reasons you're not able to spot from the description. You intend to try and resell, are you telling me the one with zero bids isn't a risk when you come to sell them again?

makeyourdaddyproud

lovinituk wrote: »

You're kidding, right? I've got many bargains by bidding on listings with no bids. I don't need someone else opinion to know whether something is of value or not!

I tend to rely on that feature for items with descriptions that might say something I cannot fathom might be stating something, negative or positive, but not immediately apparent. There must be a reason an item identically named has zero bids when compared to one that has many - even when they have the same(ish) amount of time left to run.

So yes, I use that feature a lot. Each to their own, I suppose.

alykatz

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

It's simply a game of risk; If you were to buy a DVD to watch and then resell that had no bids and 1 day to go, do you really think your chances will be any better when you come to sell?

Or, there are two identically named £300 headphones, one has 8 bids the other has none for various reasons you're not able to spot from the description. You intend to try and resell, are you telling me the one with zero bids isn't a risk when you come to sell them again?

As has been said above i trust my own judgement far more than others may have bid on one item rather than the other. And no the one without a bid isnt a risk if its not as described it goes back and i get my money back. The fact you need to rely on others bidding on what you want to tell you if its any good sounds odd to me.
I have got many bargains bidding on items with no bids. Plus given the absolute mess the search is on ebay there are many reasons an item doesnt have a bid that have nothing to do with the fact there may be something wrong with it.

theonlywayisup

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

Or, there are two identically named £300 headphones, one has 8 bids the other has none for various reasons you're not able to spot from the description. You intend to try and resell, are you telling me the one with zero bids isn't a risk when you come to sell them again?

Two identical sets of headphones (let's assume in identical condition) and you think the one without bids is a risk?

All that is relevant when you are reselling (or finding a bargain) is that you get the item for the least expenditure.

makeyourdaddyproud

theonlywayisup wrote: »

Two identical sets of headphones (let's assume in identical condition) and you think the one without bids is a risk?

All that is relevant when you are reselling (or finding a bargain) is that you get the item for the least expenditure.

No.

Many items have their starting bid at or near the desired price, this is the particular scenario to which I was referring.

What you are not party to in these types of auctions are the questions which other members raise and subsequently aren't published to the auction so other members can see.

I like to believe the higher valued items tends to procure bidders with specific concerns - ones which the seller would rather keep quiet about. The only symptom of "smart questioning" with negative outcomes are zero bids.

I know you can return any item you're not happy with but many would prefer to avoid the hassle in the first place.

It's difficult to explain, I guess it's a measure of psychology against risk.

Lovinituk said they would use their own judgement and that is the best option only if you are in full possession of the facts regarding an item you cannot physically see.

theonlywayisup

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

No.

Many items have their starting bid at or near the desired price, this is the particular scenario to which I was referring.

What you are not party to in these types of auctions are the questions which other members raise and subsequently aren't published to the auction so other members can see.

I like to believe the higher valued items tends to procure bidders with specific concerns - ones which the seller would rather keep quiet about. The only symptom of "smart questioning" with negative outcomes are zero bids.

I know you can return any item you're not happy with but many would prefer to avoid the hassle in the first place.

It's difficult to explain, I guess it's a measure of psychology against risk.

Lovinituk said they would use their own judgement and that is the best option only if you are in full possession of the facts regarding an item you cannot physically see.

Seeing bids on one item and none on another identical item, doesn't make you 'in full possession of the facts'.

Two identical items, one with bids and one without, makes neither any more profitable than the other. What makes them profitable, or valuable, is the price you pay. End of.

lovinituk

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

Lovinituk said they would use their own judgement and that is the best option only if you are in full possession of the facts regarding an item you cannot physically see.

But you have no idea if the other person bidding has asked any questions at all!
Or that the zero bid item has had any questions asked. You're relying on guess work.

Ask the questions yourself so you're in possession of all the facts! It's not rocket science!!

makeyourdaddyproud

theonlywayisup wrote: »

...What makes them profitable, or valuable, is the price you pay. End of.

You cannot be serious, surely?