Running up fake/scam auctions on Ebay

Constantine · April 14, 2013 5:23AM

I have seen lots of threads here with members running up fake auctions. I get why you do it and believe your intent is to help, but doesn't anyone think this actually does not help the situation? I see it as getting the scammers hopes up that it will turn out to be a high value score for them. Sure the listing either gets nuked or the fake bidder doesn't pay. But I see it as encouraging the scammer because from their perspective they may think the got a legit sucker for a huge score and will keep trying again and again. I see it as dangling a huge carrot which only fuels more.

I strongly feel that forum members here are providing a great service and appreciate the information. However, I think the best thing to do is report the auction and if one feels like it, messaging the scammer saying something to the effect that people are on to them etc. The running the auction up to high dollars in my opinion makes the situation worse.

Curious to see who agrees or may disagree and why. Thanks!

LanceNewmanOCC · April 14, 2013 5:28AM

.
i concur to some extent. the ones i've bid up have been less than 1% of the total i've reported and have only bid up maybe a dozen/dozen 1/2 or so.

hard to know what effect it can/will have as there is no way to know the reaction from the sellers
.

silverpop · April 14, 2013 5:33AM

IMHO bidding on scams and fake auctions is beyond dumb and makes those who do it look like major morons

yes they can report the listing to E-bay and warn others about the issue but why pull a moron move and bid on such stuff

LindeDad · April 14, 2013 5:43AM

It keeps the fools who think they are getting a good deal for cheap from getting taken out behind the shed.
Someone that thinks they are getting a good deal for a thousand dollars are not near as likely to jump in when the next bid is $42,500.00.

epcjimi1 · April 14, 2013 6:02AM

<< IMHO bidding on scams and fake auctions is beyond dumb and makes those who do it look like major morons

yes they can report the listing to E-bay and warn others about the issue but why pull a moron move and bid on such stuff >>

Why is it a "moron move"? Curious to your thinking. Please explain?

MsMorrisine · April 14, 2013 6:09AM

<< I have seen lots of threads here with members running up fake auctions. I get why you do it and believe your intent is to help, but doesn't anyone think this actually does not help the situation? I see it as getting the scammers hopes up that it will turn out to be a high value score for them. Sure the listing either gets nuked or the fake bidder doesn't pay. But I see it as encouraging the scammer because from their perspective they may think the got a legit sucker for a huge score and will keep trying again and again. I see it as dangling a huge carrot which only fuels more.

I strongly feel that forum members here are providing a great service and appreciate the information. However, I think the best thing to do is report the auction and if one feels like it, messaging the scammer saying something to the effect that people are on to them etc. The running the auction up to high dollars in my opinion makes the situation worse.

Curious to see who agrees or may disagree and why. Thanks! >>

I've wondered the same thing.

OTOH, I've wondered about the burst balloon effect once the listing is taken down after the price goes into the clearly ridiculous range.

AUandAG · April 14, 2013 6:47AM

Well, just call me a moron.

I do it for two reasons:

1. Keeps those not knowledgeable from getting hurt in a scam.
2. Lets eBay reps look at it a lot quicker than if there were no or few bids.

Moron Bob

LanceNewmanOCC · April 14, 2013 6:51AM

<< Well, just call me a moron.

I do it for two reasons:

1. Keeps those not knowledgeable from getting hurt in a scam.
2. Lets eBay reps look at it a lot quicker than if there were no or few bids.

Moron Bob >>

3. Amusing

Moron OCC
.

GrumpyEd · April 14, 2013 7:06AM

I see both sides to this.

On one hand I wouldn't bid them up for the reason stated (carrot dangling) and I don't want ebay bugging me as a non paying bidder.
Also it's ebay that should be putting it's effort into fighting these, if even one big scam gets through that would pay for one (or one more) full time expert to be catching these on ebays end. By doing this it's allowing ebay to not guard it's chickens.

On the other hand I think by acting faster than ebay can or could act that I'm sure it's saved some victims from a big hassle or loss.
If more scams get through and ebay eats the cost then it gets passed on as higher fees for legit sellers.

silverpop · April 14, 2013 7:31AM

a moron move is making the situation worse then before and this is what many are doing instead of getting rid of these scams by reporting them they take matters into their own hands and end up making matters 3 times as worse then usual

I have dealt with a few scammers in my life and trust me it's a game with them to see how many morons they can get to bid on their fake or stolen goods if one doesn't pay they have other morons who will so where the help come into play? it's doesn't cause you lose and those who bid lose also the only winner is the scammer cause you helped him by bidding

seems those who do this are helping the scammers not anyone else

of course this is just my honest opinion on the issue take it or leave it

ldhair · April 14, 2013 7:59AM

Those that bid on these also report the auctions. I see it as a good thing.

AUandAG · April 14, 2013 8:02AM

<< Those that bid on these also report the auctions. I see it as a good thing. >>

Absolutely we are reporting to eBay the transaction and issues.

Why would we be risking a non payment over a scam? Of course they are reported.

Do you report scams when you see them or just put your blinders on? (silverpop)

bob

Weather11am · April 14, 2013 8:13AM

<< Moron Bob >>

<< Moron OCC >>

Lol! That was a classic!

AMRC · April 14, 2013 8:23AM

Any bid, not accompanied with the intention to buy, is wrong.

LanceNewmanOCC · April 14, 2013 8:26AM

.
i gave some thought to my final statement on the subject for this thread.

i think bidding like we do and reporting them and giving not an inch to those that are listing these items will see/have seen it as a clear cut case of not only will ebay not tolerate these items when reported but neither will we and we are a force to be reckoned with.

we have forced most of them to change their entire ballgame if they want to keep listing that crap on the bay while we are here and have something to say about it. and the fewer there are causes the rest to get even more focus on them.

and yes i have spoken with many of the sellers/listers of counterfeits so I know we are getting to them. also i've spoken to a lot of the buyers. (outside ebay)
.

AUandAG · April 14, 2013 8:31AM

<< Any bid, not accompanied with the intention to buy, is wrong. >>

So, my bid at 50k is, in your opinion, wrong? Do you not think that I would go through and buy
this coin at that price? Hmmmmmmm.
Do you think that this seller is wrong for selling something he does not own? Or, is that okay?

Bidding with no intention to buy is wrong but selling with no intention to deliver is what?

Need to address both sides of the issue, not just the bidding side.

Moron bob.

LindeDad · April 14, 2013 8:32AM

<< Any bid, not accompanied with the intention to buy, is wrong. >>

Not according to the auction laws in most states.

morgansforever · April 14, 2013 8:39AM

I don't participate in the running up of fraudulent auctions but do report fakes, altered pieces, scams, pirated pics, etc. I can see how others may interpret it as wrong/childish but it does prevent an unwary buyer from getting burned.

CoinZip · April 14, 2013 9:38AM

Running up fake/scam auctions on Ebay

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