Question
There have been 1 cent auctions around for along time. I'm not brave enough to list anything for a penny. However a friend sent me a different twist on the penny auctions. He was wondering if eBay actually approves this sort of thing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5727874293
auction #5727874293
Starting cost 1 cent
Shipping cost $274.99
If only one bid is received the total cost is $275.99. eBay doesn't get a lot of listing and closing fees.
So, what do ya'll think? Is this a legal auction?
Jona
Answer
eBay considers it fee avoidance and it is illegal.
Answer
I don't think it would matter if the auction started at 1 penny or $100. A shipping charge of $274.99 would be considered fee avoidance if the actual shipping cost was only a small fraction of that.
Answer
Looks like eBay has closed the auction.
Joan
Answer
Thank you for your imput. There is justice after all on eBay.
Answer
Lots of sellers are doing it and getting away with it. I see this especially in the jewelry area. Someone will list their item for a penny with a huge markup on shipping. Also the computer area, printer cartridges, etc. I run across it all the time. I am NOT saying this is right.......I am simply saying I see it quite often.
Answer
Yes, Jo, I see it a lot, too. DD was looking at a memory card for her game system and found one for a nickel, but shipping was $49.95!!! She came and got me and was she ever ticked! LOL! I had to show her how to go report it! LOL! We looked at all the seller's cheap auctions... all with inflated shipping...
The only thing about it is that ebay will let them charge a whole lot extra in the name of 'handling' before they consider it fee avoidance. I know I was rather shocked at what some sellers got away with charging! I thought we were selling stuff here, not robbing the buyers... LOL!
I read an article the other day on penny auctions, but can't remember where I got the link from... if I do, I'll post it. It was interesting.
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hey - assuming they actually credit my account like PayPal says they will, I just saved a whopping 45 cents!!!!
Answer
Originally Posted by senashton
Yes, Jo, I see it a lot, too. DD was looking at a memory card for her game system and found one for a nickel, but shipping was $49.95!!! She came and got me and was she ever ticked! LOL! I had to show her how to go report it! LOL! We looked at all the seller's cheap auctions... all with inflated shipping...
The only thing about it is that ebay will let them charge a whole lot extra in the name of 'handling' before they consider it fee avoidance. I know I was rather shocked at what some sellers got away with charging! I thought we were selling stuff here, not robbing the buyers... LOL!
I read an article the other day on penny auctions, but can't remember where I got the link from... if I do, I'll post it. It was interesting.
Even though people may be ticked about ebaY about this and that or the direction it is taking, this is stealing from ebaY too. The same seller's that say you shouldn't report this are the same ones that scream when fees go up. Someone pays for the cheaters in the end.