Question
How do I report shill bidding to eBay? I see an item I am bidding on (and was outbid on by a zero feedback buyer) is actually something the winning bidder also supposedly won a week ago from the same seller. Now, this is a bible study workbook, Jesus the One and Only, by Beth Moore - and not something someone would ordinarily need two of. I also looked at the high bidder's "bidding history" and they have ONLY bid on the seller's auctions which are wide ranging items, not all in one category. I smell a rat! I clicked a little bit around the e-bay site but couldn't locate where to report shill bidding.
Answer
Hi, here's the form. Last category/Bidding Offenses/Shill Bidding
http://pages.ebay.com/help/contact_inline/index.html
Laura B
Answer
Don't expect them to act on it though.
I reported a very obvious shill about three weeks ago. The same group of 19th century prints (not a set, and no chance of having doubles of the same 5 prints taken from different foreign magazines) - same high bidder who had also bid on a lounge suite and totally unrelated collectibles from the same seller. Similarities in bidder and seller names (containing adjoining suburbs - may explain the lounge suite but not the blatant shill on the prints). I got the confirmation that my report was received, and they got the pleasure of still exclusively bidding on the one sellers list....
I note that the bidder has now bid on two cars and various paintings of the same seller, but never bid on any item of any other seller.
What's the point? Ebay has done everything they can to disguise shill bidding and even when idiots make it absolutely obvious they won't act because their are good fees in pushing up the price.
Kevin (incredulous that they are still at it so blatantly)
Answer
I caught someone, and it was pretty easy because they were starting stuff at a buck then bidding it up with the shill bidding accounts. the guy had about 5 names that won hundreds of his auctions, yet he never left feedback for them. I turned him in, ebay closed down all his auctions and he was naru for a week. I did mention that one of the community messageboards was awaiting the outcome(even though there wasnt) and they took care of it. He was actually costing ebay money though so that might have something to do with it.
Answer
I send the e-mail but don't expect much to happen - thanks for the headsup on the link. I also checked the feedback left for the original seller by the "shill bidder" on the old auction and positive feedback for the item won, was placed around 22 hours after the auction ended. Guess that seller sent out his item by Lear Jet to the winning bidder's home. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...s/icon_mad.gif
Answer
gosh, I buy the same things over and over again too...(I buy them to re-sell)...and I buy a lot of my junk from the same sellers. Hope nobody thinks I am shill bidding. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...s/icon_eek.gif
'course I do have more than 0 FB.
For the best night's sleep you've ever had...
Answer
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> gosh, I buy the same things over and over again too...(I buy them to re-sell)...and I buy a lot of my junk from the same sellers. Hope nobody thinks I am shill bidding.
'course I do have more than 0 FB.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yes Lilac, I do the same thing. In another long ago thread this same thing was brought up, and how "easy" it is to see shill bidding. I personally think it is easy to "suspect" shill bidding. Not saying the auctions mentioned in this thread were not shill bidding, just reaffirming your comment.
My buying name has 241 unitque positive feedback. But 769 total positive feedback. Probably 300 of them have been one seller, and have probably bid on 800 items. The shill police could easily interpret me as a shill bidder.
trust me, I bid, I win, I pay, and I get the product. I also have one very very happy seller. And I get some very good deals!