My Auction Looks Like I'm Shilling. Was Contacting the Original Bidder OK?

Sethro

OK, a little bit of backstory: I pulled a 2012 Topps Chrome Bryce Harper auto redemption card from a blaster box a few months back. Pretty sweet. I went and checked ebay to see how much these cards were going for and noticed that people were auctioning their redeemed cards. And others were actually bidding on them. The auctions clearly stated that the codes were used, so I do not believe the sellers were trying to fleece anyone. Harper is highly collectable, obviously, so maybe people want anything with his name on it. So I figured what the heck, I will throw it up at 99 cents and see what happens. Some of the redeemed cards were going for 20-30 bucks.

The first auction ends at a whopping $1.26. The top bidder is a zero feedback, brand new ID who never pays. Big whoop. I decide not to relist, as I figured I missed the window of opportunity on getting something for this card.

I come across the card last week and figure I'll give it another shot. I list it at 99 cents again. First bidder has feedback of over 10,000. Cool. Then a second bidder comes in. Bids it up to $10.50, but the original bidder is still winning with a bid of $10.50. Here's the problem: the second bidder is a brand new ID with zero feedback. If I was on the outside, it would look to me like this was shill bidding. I contacted the first bidder and explained to him that I have nothing to do with the other bidder and that if he wants to retract his bid I totally understand.

At first I thought it was the right thing to do by letting him know I was not involved in any kind of scamming/shilling, but now that I have sent the message I am worried. Not exactly sure about what, but just concerned that the original bidder might get upset. My question is in the headline: Was contacting the original bidder appropriate? Or should I have just let it go? Thanks!

Steelernation

I think ur worried way too much. If u want to contact the bidder then offer that he can buy it now at the price he bid if ur happy with that. If he's that big of a volume buyer, he prob didn't even check to see who's bidding against him.
Don't worry.

bking

<< <i>I think ur worried way too much. If u want to contact the bidder then offer that he can buy it now at the price he bid if ur happy with that. If he's that big of a volume buyer, he prob didn't even check to see who's bidding against him.
Don't worry. >>



a. Yes, he's over-worrying
b. Don't offer to sell to the bidder at that price. If his max bid was uncovered by the zero feedback bidder and you offer to sell at that price, it really looks like the zero bidder was a shill. At least IMO.

Sethro

I was sure I was doing the right thing, as I believe that a seller it is my job to discourage shilling on my auctions, even if it benefits me, but I didn't know if I was violating some kind of unwritten rule or something. Thanks for your input, gents.