Something weird going on?

[ADAMANDLISA]

So, I've bid on a couple of different trading pin lots. Each time I was outbid, yet when I look at the list of auctions available....there are so many (exactly the same) which have 0 bids.

Then, when I look at the history of each person I've been outbid by, they've never purchased anything, but have bid on trading pins numerous times.

Is it just me, or does it seem like something funny is going on?

 

[Kies99]

sounds like shill bidding to me. If like you say the other bidders have 0 feedback, I'd report it to Ebay.

 

[TXMouseChaser]

Totally sounds like shill bidding. I had that happen to me this past summer when bidding on trading pins. You need to report it to Ebay because it is against the rules.

 

[horseshowmom]

sounds like shill bidding to me. If like you say the other bidders have 0 feedback, I'd report it to Ebay.

I had a situation with a ring that I was bidding for a couple of years ago. There was me and one other bidder. The other bidder dropped out early. Then another bidder came in and ran the bid price up substantially (about $50) until they passed my highest proxy bid.

Then they withdrew their bid leaving me to pay my highest bid. I found that to be more than a little bit suspicious and notified ebay. They said there wasn't a problem. I still disagree. If the last bid was withdrawn, ALL of their bids should have been withdrawn.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I had a situation with a ring that I was bidding for a couple of years ago. There was me and one other bidder. The other bidder dropped out early. Then another bidder came in and ran the bid price up substantially (about $50) until they passed my highest proxy bid.

Then they withdrew their bid leaving me to pay my highest bid. I found that to be more than a little bit suspicious and notified ebay. They said there wasn't a problem. I still disagree. If the last bid was withdrawn, ALL of their bids should have been withdrawn.

I don't understand this. If you are outbid, and then the highest bidder withdraws do you have to pay your highest bid or could you then withdraw your bid? I mean- I have bid on items, and then been outbid. Once I am outbid I have bought the item elsewhere assuming I was outbid, and won't be getting the item I first bid on. If the highest bidder withdraws do I still need to purchase the item and then be stuck with 2 of the same item?

I haven't used ebay very much, and it confuses me.

 

[Disneybound!!]

I don't understand this. If you are outbid, and then the highest bidder withdraws do you have to pay your highest bid or could you then withdraw your bid? I mean- I have bid on items, and then been outbid. Once I am outbid I have bought the item elsewhere assuming I was outbid, and won't be getting the item I first bid on. If the highest bidder withdraws do I still need to purchase the item and then be stuck with 2 of the same item?

I haven't used ebay very much, and it confuses me.

I agree! I wouldn't think that you would have to buy in that case. I would think it would be like a second chance offer, but not something that you would have to buy. Like you, I have been outbid many times, and not willing to pay more than my last bid, have gone to a different auction and bid on the the same item elsewhere. I would be shocked to find out that I had to pay for the original item I bid on and thought I had lost! That doesn't seem right at all!

 

[cats mom]

I don't understand this. If you are outbid, and then the highest bidder withdraws do you have to pay your highest bid or could you then withdraw your bid? I mean- I have bid on items, and then been outbid. Once I am outbid I have bought the item elsewhere assuming I was outbid, and won't be getting the item I first bid on. If the highest bidder withdraws do I still need to purchase the item and then be stuck with 2 of the same item?

I haven't used ebay very much, and it confuses me.

From E-bay bidding overview fine print:
(bolding mine)

"Bidding is meant to be fun, but remember that each bid you place enters you into a binding contract. All bids are active until the listing ends. If you win a listing, you’re obligated to purchase the item.
Don't bid on identical items in different listings if you only want one item. If you win both, you'll be obligated to buy both.
If you’re outbid on an item, wait until the auction has ended before placing a bid on an equivalent item. If the bidder who won the auction doesn’t complete the transaction for any reason, you could become the winning bidder."


OP, your example certainly sounds like shill bidding. I'd report it. Unfortunately I wouldn't count on e-bay doing anything about it though.

 

[horseshowmom]

I don't understand this. If you are outbid, and then the highest bidder withdraws do you have to pay your highest bid or could you then withdraw your bid? I mean- I have bid on items, and then been outbid. Once I am outbid I have bought the item elsewhere assuming I was outbid, and won't be getting the item I first bid on. If the highest bidder withdraws do I still need to purchase the item and then be stuck with 2 of the same item?

I haven't used ebay very much, and it confuses me.

I agree! I wouldn't think that you would have to buy in that case. I would think it would be like a second chance offer, but not something that you would have to buy. Like you, I have been outbid many times, and not willing to pay more than my last bid, have gone to a different auction and bid on the the same item elsewhere. I would be shocked to find out that I had to pay for the original item I bid on and thought I had lost! That doesn't seem right at all!

I see what the two of you are saying, but I actually "won" the auction after the ofter bidder withdrew their highest offer (which was just above my highest proxy bid). They withdrew just before the end of the auction leaving me the highest bidder.

I honestly didn't see how ebay couldn't see an issue with that.

 

[TangaroaTiki]

I see what the two of you are saying, but I actually "won" the auction after the ofter bidder withdrew their highest offer (which was just above my highest proxy bid). They withdrew just before the end of the auction leaving me the highest bidder.

I honestly didn't see how ebay couldn't see an issue with that.

I think it's only in the last 12 hours that you cannot withdraw a bid

 

[horseshowmom]

I think it's only in the last 12 hours that you cannot withdraw a bid

That could be. I don't remember the exact timeframe (as I said it was a couple of years ago). It may have been prior to the 12 hours you're talking about. It just seems logical to me that they would cancel out all of their bids not just their last one if they withdrew their bid (at least in my case).

 

[mouselovr]

also try mousepinsonline.com I got them there for about $1.60 earlier in the year (09)