Shill Bidder (Auction) Question

In your opinion, is this a shill bidder?

  • Seems likely.

  • Nah, stranger things have happened.


Results are only viewable after voting.

JessEm

AzB Goldmember
Silver Member
Hello, In everyone's opinion, does this look like shill bidding on eBay?

73 bids in 30 days. 100% with the same seller. On 10 different items, listed in 10 different categories. The different type of items run the gamut from soup to nuts.

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It appears the suspect bids were early -- not the most effective time.
How much did the suspected bids raise the offers? prices?
Ultimately, was the suspect the purchaser of any of the items?
 
I would bid on police auction sites for computer equipment.

If I saw i5 or i7 processor with power supply and tested I would bid aggressively.

If it was untested equipment and I just wanted parts then I'd place low bids.

Looks like a collector looking for specific items.

I would also avoid impulse shopping or impulse bidding.

Using forensics to recover a police auction hard drive can be very interesting.

My theory is new money, new to ebay, focused on spending for specific items.
 
whats the difference. none if he put a reserve price on it. he will stop at the minimum price he will take for it. and that is what he deserves.

not to let it go for some super low price because people didnt show up for the auction.
 
whats the difference. none if he put a reserve price on it. he will stop at the minimum price he will take for it. and that is what he deserves.

not to let it go for some super low price because people didnt show up for the auction.
I think it costs something to have a reserve price. Also, I think "heat of the final minutes" might get people to bid when they otherwise wouldn't.

The bidding pattern does look suspect.

And I also think Ebay will take no action. Ebay and Amazon used to be good places to shop -- not so much any more.
 
sure it does suck in those without self control. but so does everything else in the world get them as well.
in an auction before you even make the first bid you always set what is your last bid.
I also think Ebay will take no action. Ebay and Amazon used to be good places to shop -- not so much any more.
so true on that bob.

and what happened to the days of shopping for just what you needed?
 
Shill bidders bid early to get the price up and generate interest - they drop
Out somewhere that precludes them from actually winning the auction.
eBay is not the ideal auction site - it has lost much through high fees, poor customer service, and a lack of governing willingness.
Buyer beware and seller regrets are common themes on this site - I have personally experienced both ends of the difficulties with e bay.
 
whats the difference. none if he put a reserve price on it. he will stop at the minimum price he will take for it. and that is what he deserves.

not to let it go for some super low price because people didnt show up for the auction.

Ruins the spirit of eBay / auction-style sales.

I understand reserves, and setting the price you want. However, as a buyer I usually gravitate to listings with bidding which allow the market to set the value. Also, with reserves I can simply move on if I don't like the price. Shilling undermines this experience. Not mention is explicitly prohibited on eBay.

To be honest, I'm 99.9% sure this seller is shilling his items and decided to report to fraud. They gave me a case number for whatever reason. Their response below sounds serious but as others have said, I have my doubts anything will actually be done.

"I have reported the seller with utmost priority as I know that what they have done is completely intolerable. After our team completes their investigation, I assure you that definite action will be taken against their account. Depending on their past history and recent activities, the account can have a strike, restriction, removal of listing and if the account possesses severe risk, then they can be suspended as well."
 
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not defending what he is doing is right or okay but it isnt, really just saying this is how things work and you have to work around it to get your best results you can.
in this world lots of things arent fair and should be. but when you can see them and just say no and not participate then no loss.
good you are fighting it but not likely to change much overall so just a waste of time.

thats why i dont use auctions and would just do buy it now or walk away. same with non handicapped pool tournaments. if not one of the top players i would not enter. i see no difference between the two.
 
Anyone ever buy on Gunbroker…no one sniping anything on there cause they add additional time after each bid until there are no bids in a certain length of time, seems like it was 15 min.
 
Can't tell if he is a shill bidder because a lot of people like myself bid on many different items. I would make an offer on the ones that I really like.
 
I think it costs something to have a reserve price. Also, I think "heat of the final minutes" might get people to bid when they otherwise wouldn't.

The bidding pattern does look suspect.

And I also think Ebay will take no action. Ebay and Amazon used to be good places to shop -- not so much any more.
Ebay is still an OK place to buy IMO. If you wait long enough, you'll find a motivated seller who will take a reasonable offer. Yes, most items are priced high to try and recoup fees, but deals can still be had. eBay will back you up most of the time in the event of a dispute.

To sell is brutal. Sellers have little to no recourse over the worst behaviors. Nonpayment? Just cancel and move on. Request to cancel? Agree and move on. Nitty requests for partial refunds? You can fight the first few times, then realize it's easier to just give them the money and move on. Etc. etc. Then, eBay swoops in for its cut and sometimes make you wait up to 30 days for payout. And we still have the looming IRS cut coming now too.
 
why go through that trouble. if its not life changing money just donate to a local charity and get a tax writeoff and do some good.

money can be tough sometimes but your time and dignity is more important.
 
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