Ebay fraud
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
Likes: 7
From: On the road in Ohio
Ebay fraud
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...570050,00.html
Click on the link to read more info on this, I hope they are investigated over this..
CUSTOMERS of the internet auction site eBay are being defrauded by unscrupulous dealers who secretly bid up the price of items on sale to boost profits.
An investigation by The Sunday Times has indicated that the practice of artificially driving up prices — known as shill bidding — is widespread across the site.
Last week one of the UK’s biggest eBay sellers admitted in a taped conversation with an undercover reporter that he was prepared to use business associates to bid on his goods for him.
Our inquiries found evidence that a number of businesses — ranging from overseas property agencies to car dealerships — have placed bids on their own items using fake identities.
The cases raise questions about whether eBay, the world’s biggest auction site, is doing enough to protect consumers.
An investigation by The Sunday Times has indicated that the practice of artificially driving up prices — known as shill bidding — is widespread across the site.
Last week one of the UK’s biggest eBay sellers admitted in a taped conversation with an undercover reporter that he was prepared to use business associates to bid on his goods for him.
Our inquiries found evidence that a number of businesses — ranging from overseas property agencies to car dealerships — have placed bids on their own items using fake identities.
The cases raise questions about whether eBay, the world’s biggest auction site, is doing enough to protect consumers.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
That's why I always find out what the price is on a new item that I can get from another company and I follow the bid history. If it gets somewhat close to a new item price than I don't bother. Even if the item is advertised as "new" on ebay. Also, Most new items are coming for companies who have their own website and you could just buy right from that site instead of going through the auction.
But, yes, I'm sure this is a problem with running up bids to gain more profit. That's why you should try an find out what an item is actually worth. I have seen many auto parts go for more than what I could just buy from another company.
But, yes, I'm sure this is a problem with running up bids to gain more profit. That's why you should try an find out what an item is actually worth. I have seen many auto parts go for more than what I could just buy from another company.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Had that happen to me. No bids on like items until I bid then all hell broke loose. Just on that item not on any of the same items the company offered. Then came the "second chance" offers. I just bid on another item when I was outbid. The place had a very good feedback rating tho. They also had inflated shipping charges. At those places I just bid accordingly. They do that to avoid ebay fees. The item I wanted and won for a very decent price was OK and usable. I usually don't bid on anything on ebay unless I can get it for less than half of the legit sources. I see a lot of items going for prices as much as they are available for locally or even more!!!
Last edited by Torque1st; Jan 28, 2007 at 02:42 AM.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Scams
NEW SCAM: Yesterday I received an email that said I had a grievance issue with ebay over a purchase. I was instructed to respond by clicking on the email link...the next window came up, requiring me to enter my ebay password.
Guess what happened....I sent the phony email to: spoof@ebay.com
When I initially got the email, I checked "my messages" on ebay...it wasn't there...a scam. (besides, I knew what was paid for, and I hadn't bought anything in a month).
Please fellow members, check the "my messages" on ebay before answering any email. If the message is not at my ebay, "My Messages," it's FAKE.
Guess what happened....I sent the phony email to: spoof@ebay.com
When I initially got the email, I checked "my messages" on ebay...it wasn't there...a scam. (besides, I knew what was paid for, and I hadn't bought anything in a month).
Please fellow members, check the "my messages" on ebay before answering any email. If the message is not at my ebay, "My Messages," it's FAKE.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
With the new E-Bay message center there is no reason to receive E-Bay e-mails, so my mail program automatically deletes anything supposedly from E-Bay.
Private bidders, especially on used cars, has to be one of the biggest abusers of shill buyers. I did never do any auction where I can't see the feedback of the seller or ID of the bidders.
Plus, if I see a bunch of (0) and (1) feedback bidders driving up the price, I stop bidding and ignore any second chance offers.
Private bidders, especially on used cars, has to be one of the biggest abusers of shill buyers. I did never do any auction where I can't see the feedback of the seller or ID of the bidders.
Plus, if I see a bunch of (0) and (1) feedback bidders driving up the price, I stop bidding and ignore any second chance offers.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
I had the "shill" put to me on ebay. I found a set of 79 Ford truck factory service manuals on ebay that had not been bid on one time in over 4 days. I put in a bid, the bid immediately starts its uphill climb by one bidder only. The same and only bidder kept bumping me. I looked up the opposing bidders profile and they lived in the same town as where the manuals were being sold from. Now hmmmm,
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
I haven't had anything too bad happen yet, but I don't buy too much off Ebay. Wife does though..
I knew someone who had put in a max bid on a part and someone else had bid up to get over the max and than retracted his bid, so my friend was stuck. Even though he put that max bid in, he was kind of disgusted that one person bid all the way up and then retracted. He should have gotten it much cheaper, but didn't.
Running up bids is going to ruin ebay unless ebay steps in and does something and watches the patterns of people who sell many items.
I knew someone who had put in a max bid on a part and someone else had bid up to get over the max and than retracted his bid, so my friend was stuck. Even though he put that max bid in, he was kind of disgusted that one person bid all the way up and then retracted. He should have gotten it much cheaper, but didn't.
Running up bids is going to ruin ebay unless ebay steps in and does something and watches the patterns of people who sell many items.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 4
From: Sunny tourist infested FL
I had it happen to me.. I was bidding on a pair of motorcycle boots and the next thing you know the bid was being driven up close to the max a wanted to pay.
The guy's shill bid it past what i wanted to pay so I did not bid anymore. I did some checking on the users that bid on the boots. One guy had done business with the seller before, multiple times and he lives in the same town.
A day later the boots were re-listed. I e-mailed the seller and told him what I found and he said did not know the guy. So I bid on the boots again, and again this other user bid the price up. I reported it. e-Bay pulled the auction and suspended both the seller and the guy shilling it up.
Since they do not list bidders names anymore, you have to make sure you check closer. I wait to do my bidding in the last 4 hours and once I set a max bid, I don't go back and bid any higher.
The guy's shill bid it past what i wanted to pay so I did not bid anymore. I did some checking on the users that bid on the boots. One guy had done business with the seller before, multiple times and he lives in the same town.
A day later the boots were re-listed. I e-mailed the seller and told him what I found and he said did not know the guy. So I bid on the boots again, and again this other user bid the price up. I reported it. e-Bay pulled the auction and suspended both the seller and the guy shilling it up.
Since they do not list bidders names anymore, you have to make sure you check closer. I wait to do my bidding in the last 4 hours and once I set a max bid, I don't go back and bid any higher.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 2
From: CA
That is not new issue. Take a look at this item #130072431340; this is a typical case of jacking up the price by close associates (look at the history of bidding on item, Bidder 12 is the culprit).
I buy a lot of things (fuel filter, chrome part, sill plates, adapters etc) on EBay but until now I have never bid on anything! I just buy things that have buy it now price. Mostly from reputed sellers (most likely they have an EBay store).
If I have to bid I would speak to the seller first then general idea of $$$ worth. If the bid goes beyond 75% it’s worth on Market, forget it…
I buy a lot of things (fuel filter, chrome part, sill plates, adapters etc) on EBay but until now I have never bid on anything! I just buy things that have buy it now price. Mostly from reputed sellers (most likely they have an EBay store).
If I have to bid I would speak to the seller first then general idea of $$$ worth. If the bid goes beyond 75% it’s worth on Market, forget it…
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
I have an email address that I registered on ebay and use it for nothing else. So if I get any email from 'ebay' or 'paypal' on my regular email I know it's a fake.
As for buying, I just bid a low price that I'm willing to pay,(only after checking s&h charges,) and leave it at that. I usually don't win, but keep trying.
As for buying, I just bid a low price that I'm willing to pay,(only after checking s&h charges,) and leave it at that. I usually don't win, but keep trying.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by F2504x4
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2570050,00.html
Click on the link to read more info on this, I hope they are investigated over this..
Click on the link to read more info on this, I hope they are investigated over this..
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach
The obvious solution here is don't bid early. I've seen people let emotions get involved in the bidding process. It makes absolutely no difference who the high bidder is until the auction CLOSES. What happens three days prior is of no consequence and should be regarded as such.
If an item goes beyond what you wanted to pay without your involvment, move on to the next one. When an auction is about to close, put in your high bid, if you get it great, if not, move on to the next one. Continually bidding higher to be the high bidder at the beginning of an auction serves no purpose but to make your high bid a target and make the seller more money. Think about it.
Dan
If an item goes beyond what you wanted to pay without your involvment, move on to the next one. When an auction is about to close, put in your high bid, if you get it great, if not, move on to the next one. Continually bidding higher to be the high bidder at the beginning of an auction serves no purpose but to make your high bid a target and make the seller more money. Think about it.
Dan
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
I've taken to using the "Buy It Now" items if I want anything off ebay. No way shillers are doing anything there. Plus it's a great comparison price to check the item out at a local store. Previous poster was right...if you can't get it at close to 1/2 retail, look somewhere else.