Question
I decided to make a new thread because I didn't want to derail Kevin's thread any further.
eBay's Policies are hard to follow, especially when they morph from one click to the next. I'm thinking now about my friend's situation where she was suspended for shill bidding on her sister's auction.
Here's eBay's info on Shill Bidding:
Bidding Policy FAQ
Q. Can my friends bid on my item?
A. If your friend sincerely intends to purchase your item, then her bids are certainly allowed. Bidding on your item for the sole purpose of inflating the final bid amount is forbidden.
Here's the info she was directed to via email from eBay when she inquired about being reinstated: Post shill reinstatement requirements
To avoid even the appearance of shill bidding, please remember that family members, friends or housemates should not bid on your listings.
(bolding above is mine).
Ironically, in the middle of the page with the instructions on how to get reinstated, the page that specifically says no to bidding by family is a link to the first page which says friends can bid!
And here is the statement/form she has to fill out if she wants to be reinstated:
Reinstatement form
Now my friend bid on her sister's auctions because she wanted the items that Sis was selling, not because she wanted to drive up the price (these were items from her mother's house, very long story). Her intentions were completely in compliance with eBay's policy as read in the first link...
But if she wants to get her eBay account back she has to admit to guilt and swear to never do it again. It reminds me of the witch trials ... admit you're guilty or burn!
Just another good example of why it's so hard to be obedient and why we get headaches from dealing with eBay. It's stressful enough dealing with customers, but the threat of suspension looms larger every day!
Answer
...how eBay knows who your friends are?????
They claim powers above and beyond those even held by my DH.
Answer
Heh, heh, heh. eBay knows all!
I want to point out (again?) that the wording that says family members and housemates shouldn't bid on your items doesn't come up until you are trying to get reinstated.
I keep picturing a mean-spirited officer of the law leaning over a quaking out-of-towner... "Son, ignorance of our laws ain't no excuse. Why, anyone can look at our lawbooks anytime they want to... we keep 'em right out in the open on the judge's desk. In the court house."
Answer
Policy? They sort of make it up as they go along.
I can't sell an old military rifle bipod, which is somewhat collectible (re: collector's item), but the next guy can sell a brand-new aftermarket bipod for the same rifle, and is even allowed to use "sniper" in the title.
Yes, I'm still P.O.d.
Answer
Q. Can my friends bid on my item?
A. If your friend sincerely intends to purchase your item, then her bids are certainly allowed. Bidding on your item for the sole purpose of inflating the final bid amount is forbidden.
So not only do they know WHO your friends are....apparently they also know what their intentions are!
eBay....The all knowing, all wise, psychic, mind-reading venue.