Even though it might be some funny business. I will say that it looks very much like a new eBay Development customer attempting to test their code using the eBay API. I remember screwing up some automated listings back when I was automating auctions for car dealers. eBay changes their API all the time. If you know how cumbersome it is just to set up an auction through their tools, then you can imagine what doing it in code must be like. Just their authentication crap is a hassle, much less the rest of the rules. Their sandbox doesn't work the same as production. Most people just test with production. Just playing devil's advocate.
<< <i>Even though it might be some funny business. I will say that it looks very much like a new eBay Development customer attempting to test their code using the eBay API. I remember screwing up some automated listings back when I was automating auctions for car dealers. eBay changes their API all the time. If you know how cumbersome it is just to set up an auction through their tools, then you can imagine what doing it in code must be like. Just their authentication crap is a hassle, much less the rest of the rules. Their sandbox doesn't work the same as production. Most people just test with production. Just playing devil's advocate. >>
I tried to report it to the Wall St. Journal but they want you to have a Yahoo email account, why do newspapers make you jump through silly hoops like this? Just have a simple way to report newstips already.
<< <i>I think we're all guessing here - a) that the listing were phoney and b) they weren't a test and c) eBay counted these in it's Press Release d) It was done intentionally -
Wow-get ready for the fastest total collapse in history. (Well maybe the hunt brothers hold this record). On the optimistic side- ebay stock could be a bargain by the end of the week.
Even if it is some sort of test or experiment, ebay had to know the effect on statistics and in my opinion feigning innocence by unawareness won't stand up to scrutiny if they get attacked by the press or some motivated attourney general. The boycot would have been a no nevermind but if they cooked the books and got caught they're in trouble. --Jerry
edit: and it's hard to imagine a test that required so many listings...even if you do come up with some unlikely need, the timing was quite a coincidence.
1) If these were tests, why wasn't that fact disclosed in the auction listings? I.E. "This listing is an eBay test, this item is not for sale."
2) Where is it disclosed on the eBay site that these tests will be performed, so that users can ignore them? >>
I'll add a third:
3) Were these "tests" conducted in a way that prevented them from being included in reporting on the number of new listings, and if not, was the timing of the "tests" intentional to coincide with the boycott or just coincidental?
It's true that we are all speculating. I stand by my contention that a test run in conjunction with a known boycott is slang for "cooking the books", though.
1) If these were tests, why wasn't that fact disclosed in the auction listings? I.E. "This listing is an eBay test, this item is not for sale."
2) Where is it disclosed on the eBay site that these tests will be performed, so that users can ignore them? >>
I'll add a third:
3) Were these "tests" conducted in a way that prevented them from being included in reporting on the number of new listings, and if not, was the timing of the "tests" intentional to coincide with the boycott or just coincidental? >>
And a fourth:
4) Was PayPal running test payments at the same or any other time?
Tests work both ways its not just getting the listing up but also being able to be found If they seperate the numbers when they do their report one for actual listings and one for test listings then there is no mis conduct .
Im not sticking up for ebay they are a corprate bully and as such I have no respect for them but realistically its way to early to know what if any mis conduct has occured .
ebay is full of questionable characters and insiders using it to make a fortune....can someone tell me how a power seller with over 1000 negs can be on ebay while noting in their ebay store that they are 'former ebay employee'? I checked the person out and they did work for paypal, yet they have questionable business tactics...ebay allows it, so beware of shady people with contacts @ ebay and paypal..
"Test listings" or "bulk listing tests" seems like an appropriate activity, and given plenty of notice of the boycott, perfect timing for such tests. This may not be the truth, but it sure sounds good, and will probably pass scrutiny if this is the case.
Good stuff! Either these were actually test auctions and eBay is incredibly naive about the timing, or it was a deliberate attempt to inflate the numbers. Either way, it makes for excellent entertainment as all the conspiracy theories magnify and spread across the web.
I don't know why everyone dogs eBay. If you are into moderns and bullion coins it is about the only way to find anything decent as many of the old farts don't carry them. I've bought and sold on eBay since 2001 and despite a problem or two, eBay has been a great venue. Are their fees too high? Go get a passport, their fees are high too but can't get back in the country without it. I say live and let live. Don't like eBay, don't use them but give it a rest before I post a couple more bullion update threads.
Basically, Ebay has a monopoly on the internet auction business and they have to resort to this type of behavior? Boycott notwithstanding, I don't think that a their business will be hurt in the medium term. Sellers will hold auctions to prove their point during a boycott, but I don't think they will hold forever.
I would like to ask Ebay why they did what they did. If it is about the stock price, then they are in for some real scrutiny from the SEC.
I sure wish there was a viable alternative to Ebay to keep them in line. If they keep behaving the way they are, it is only a matter of time before a well financed competitor will appear.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
we all know how easily ebay can remove auction items. if these were "tests" gone awry, they could easily remove them as well. i mean, why the he11 would'nt you wanna remove bad dogfood from your pantry?
<< <i>Good stuff! Either these were actually test auctions and eBay is incredibly naive about the timing, or it was a deliberate attempt to inflate the numbers. Either way, it makes for excellent entertainment as all the conspiracy theories magnify and spread across the web.
Russ, NCNE >>
The tin hat folks will have their field day, but the eventual shareholder lawsuits will be real enough.
I guess this is why eBay did not cancel this auction and is not cancelling this auction even though I pointed both of them out to Trust & Safety(?) on at least 25 separate occasion. Both auctions clearly violate eBays stated policy of providing a slab photo of the the slabv being auctioned. Both of these are for NGC MS64 Type 2 IKEs and neither one shows either the NGC slab or more importantly, the reverse of the coin!
I wonder if ANY eBay auctions were cancelled for listing or ploicy violation during the boycott period?
FRANK???
I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
Donahoe has made it clear he wants to rid eBay of its "fleamarket" image, by eliminating those very people who made eBay the strongest online market place in the world. The idea is that by ridding itself of the low-priced items, they can concentrate on larger retailers, and boost revenues with higher end items.
Hey Donahoe..BITE ME!
Do they actually tecah this crap at Harvard business school???
WS
Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
Comments
San Diego, CA
"investing in eBay isn't for everyone, but it helps to have a limited moral compass like we do" - Meg Whitman
<< <i>Even though it might be some funny business. I will say that it looks very much like a new eBay Development customer attempting to test their code using the eBay API. I remember screwing up some automated listings back when I was automating auctions for car dealers. eBay changes their API all the time. If you know how cumbersome it is just to set up an auction through their tools, then you can imagine what doing it in code must be like. Just their authentication crap is a hassle, much less the rest of the rules. Their sandbox doesn't work the same as production. Most people just test with production. Just playing devil's advocate. >>
You didn't read the background on this, did you?
through silly hoops like this? Just have a simple way to report newstips already.
<< <i>I think we're all guessing here - a) that the listing were phoney and b) they weren't a test and c) eBay counted these in it's Press Release d) It was done intentionally -
I'll wait till it develops a bit more. >>
Same here.
Would the item be there to be delivered?
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
edit: and it's hard to imagine a test that required so many listings...even if you do come up with some unlikely need, the timing was quite a coincidence.
<< <i>I'm wondering what would happen if someone actually bought an item from one of these 'test' sellers?
Would the item be there to be delivered? >>
DarkTone is correct...
They were "view" only auctions...
Ebay says they were testing auctions...
Edit to say...
They just happen to be testing during the strike...
Next there going to test sell the Brooklyn Bridge 185,000 times...
Currently Listed: Nothing
Take Care, Dave
1) If these were tests, why wasn't that fact disclosed in the auction listings? I.E. "This listing is an eBay test, this item is not for sale."
2) Where is it disclosed on the eBay site that these tests will be performed, so that users can ignore them?
It will be interesting to see where this goes.
<< <i>Two questions:
1) If these were tests, why wasn't that fact disclosed in the auction listings? I.E. "This listing is an eBay test, this item is not for sale."
2) Where is it disclosed on the eBay site that these tests will be performed, so that users can ignore them? >>
I'll add a third:
3) Were these "tests" conducted in a way that prevented them from being included in reporting on the number of new listings, and if not, was the timing of the "tests" intentional to coincide with the boycott or just coincidental?
<< <i>
<< <i>Two questions:
1) If these were tests, why wasn't that fact disclosed in the auction listings? I.E. "This listing is an eBay test, this item is not for sale."
2) Where is it disclosed on the eBay site that these tests will be performed, so that users can ignore them? >>
I'll add a third:
3) Were these "tests" conducted in a way that prevented them from being included in reporting on the number of new listings, and if not, was the timing of the "tests" intentional to coincide with the boycott or just coincidental? >>
And a fourth:
4) Was PayPal running test payments at the same or any other time?
Im not sticking up for ebay they are a corprate bully and as such I have no respect for them but realistically its way to early to know what if any mis conduct has occured .
Always Looking for Raw Proof Lincoln Cents !!
here
Proud recipient of two "You Suck" awards
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
<< <i>Hit the news:
here >>
Well, technically there is no mention here of "test auctions"
they all look like this ->
test auction - gp cross promotion -stores
what if these millions of auctions were not originated by eBay at all
but a new breed of scammer that thinks on a giant scale and somehow
hacked and by-passed eBays security
just as a test run for mass insertion?
<< <i>I have seen their test auctions before
they all look like this ->
test auction - gp cross promotion -stores
what if these millions of auctions were not originated by eBay at all
but a new breed of scammer that thinks on a giant scale and somehow
hacked and by-passed eBays security
just as a test run for mass insertion? >>
If the above scenario was the reality of it, Donahoe would have ordered that this be announced immediately as damage control.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
Russ, NCNE
watching for updates.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely ?
Basically, Ebay has a monopoly on the internet auction business and they have to resort to this type of behavior? Boycott notwithstanding, I don't think that a their business will be hurt in the medium term. Sellers will hold auctions to prove their point during a boycott, but I don't think they will hold forever.
I would like to ask Ebay why they did what they did. If it is about the stock price, then they are in for some real scrutiny from the SEC.
I sure wish there was a viable alternative to Ebay to keep them in line. If they keep behaving the way they are, it is only a matter of time before a well financed competitor will appear.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
K S
<< <i>I'm wondering what would happen if someone actually bought an item from one of these 'test' sellers?
Would the item be there to be delivered? >>
Another one who didn't read the thread
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<< <i>Good stuff! Either these were actually test auctions and eBay is incredibly naive about the timing, or it was a deliberate attempt to inflate the numbers. Either way, it makes for excellent entertainment as all the conspiracy theories magnify and spread across the web.
Russ, NCNE >>
The tin hat folks will have their field day, but the eventual shareholder lawsuits will be real enough.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
I wonder if ANY eBay auctions were cancelled for listing or ploicy violation during the boycott period?
FRANK???
The name is LEE!
Hey Donahoe..BITE ME!
Do they actually tecah this crap at Harvard business school???
WS
<< <i>Do they actually tecah this crap at Harvard business school??? >>
Why yes, as a matter of fact, they do teach this crap at HBS -- and every other business school.
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!