So, if you knew someone was bid shilling and could prove it......

Rampage · January 15, 2004 7:22AM

What would you do?

Here is a hypothetical situation.

Say you know a coin dealer that you thought had left the business and you happen to run into him at the Long Beach coin show and he is selling coins. You have known him for many years and he always gives you the best deals. He says he sells on eBay and gives you his user ID, along with the user IDs of those who work for him.

You get home and check him auctions and sees that one of his employees bids on his other three user ID items.

What would you do?

Remember, this is hypothetical. If this happens to exist in someone's life, it is purely coincidental.

Cheers, Richard.

Cladiator · January 15, 2004 7:23AM

Rat the Ba$tard out! He's giving all coin sellers a bad name. A cheat is a cheat is a cheat.

coinguy1 · January 15, 2004 7:27AM

Report him to Ebay and let them decide what, if anything to do. Based on your relationship with him, I'd also tell the dealer about it, so as not to stab him in the back.

Edited to add: I would talk to him before I contacted Ebay.

Russ · January 15, 2004 7:27AM

<< Remember, this is hypothetical. >>

Sure it is.

Russ, NCNE

sinin1 · January 15, 2004 7:27AM

nothing - you do not know who has control over those accounts and whether people are bidding for themselves - even if they also do custom selling for this guy

if you think you are being shilled - don't bid anymore or any higher than you would be willing to bid

the possibility of being shilled is why I rarely accept 2nd chance offers

Barry · January 15, 2004 7:38AM

Turn him in to Ebay. I did just that a couple of years ago when the son (employee) was bidding on his father's auctions. This was back in the days when you could get contact info on any Ebay member. After their investigation, Ebay booted him for 30 days (power seller, you know). FWIW, he's also a PNG member.

LAWMAN · January 15, 2004 7:45AM

Turn him in to EBay. Then boil him in oil, off with his head, and take away his EBay privileges.

ccrdragon · January 15, 2004 7:56AM

Turn him into the ebay police - both here and the real ebay police. His life would be so miserable after that he would come crawling on his knees to beg forgivness!!

razorface1027 · January 15, 2004 8:03AM

From what I gather, shill bidding is tolerated to some degree by eBay.

Rampage · January 15, 2004 8:18AM

<< From what I gather, shill bidding is tolerated to some degree by eBay. >>

Where did you hear/read that shill bidding is acceptable on eBay? It is an illegal act in California. It IS legal in some states, but since eBay is based out of CA, then people need to go by CA rules and it is illegal. I am not just talking eBay illegal, I mean it is a crime, and one can be punished by law.

tgilliams · January 15, 2004 8:23AM

You need to report for the good of the buyers and integrity.

razorface1027 · January 15, 2004 8:46AM

Where did you hear/read that shill bidding is acceptable on eBay? It is an illegal act in California. It IS legal in some states, but since eBay is based out of CA, then people need to go by CA rules and it is illegal. I am not just talking eBay illegal, I mean it is a crime, and one can be punished by law.

Ram...Who said it was accepted? I said it's TOLERATED. Take into consideration the person posting this thread. Friends, family, FELLOW VENDORS and "Joe Blow" the lives at the end of your block can SHILL BID for you. Who, may I ask can PROVE that shill bidding is taking place; therefore, it's TOLERATED to some degree by eBay...

maxB3535 · January 15, 2004 8:52AM

How do you know his employees weren't buying for their own account? Unless there is a pattern on all the present and previous auctions, don't think you would have a case.

tradedollarnut · January 15, 2004 9:10AM

but since eBay is based out of CA, then people need to go by CA rules and it is illegal.

Huh?

DCAMFranklin · January 15, 2004 9:44AM

I probably wouldn't bid on his auctions.

Russ · January 15, 2004 10:03AM

<< but since eBay is based out of CA, then people need to go by CA rules and it is illegal.

Huh? >>

TDN,

Was just thinking the same thing.

Rampage,

eBay must abide by California laws. Bidders and sellers in other states are under no obligation to do so.

Russ, NCNE

Rampage · January 15, 2004 10:56AM

<< 

<< but since eBay is based out of CA, then people need to go by CA rules and it is illegal.

Huh? >>

TDN,

Was just thinking the same thing.

Rampage,

eBay must abide by California laws. Bidders and sellers in other states are under no obligation to do so.

Russ, NCNE >>

Russ and TDN-

My apologies for my ignorance. I was under the impression that what I stated was true. Thank you for clearing that up.

Rampage · January 15, 2004 10:58AM

Folks-

Remember, this is entirely hypothetical. Please don't get the idea that this is a true story. It is not.

I am only posting this to see people's reaction and to see what you would do if it happened to you.

sinin1 · January 15, 2004 11:18AM

since it is only hypothetical, here is what I would do

if they had an item I was interested in - I would bid my max and not take any 2nd chance offers

I would not file a complaint to eBay

dorkkarl · January 15, 2004 9:09PM

despite all the threads about fraudulent coins, overgrades, blah blah blah, the biggest problem on ebay as far as it being a true auction is definitely w/ shill bidding. so accept this FACT, put your highest bid in & forget about it. since you know the problem exists (actually it's rampant), there's not a danged thing you can do about it, so just don't worry about it. just be aware of it

K S

So, if you knew someone was bid shilling and could prove it......

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