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What does one do about a shill bidder on eBay?

Well, I'm rather ticked off because I'm pretty sure I'm dealing with a dirty, low-down shill bidder.

I've been involved with an auction where I've been the high bidder for about 3 days, and then suddenly, out of the clear blue sky on Thanksgiving day, I get outbid by an ID with ZERO FEEDBACK!

And the seller has over 3000 feedback. Seeing how the auction is getting closer to the end, I suspect that the seller was getting concerned that he would not get the price he was looking for and opened a new account to outbid me.

It seems highly suspicious to me.

Is there anything I can do about this?

I'd appreciate any advice.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James on November 26, 2015 at 9:09pm
I believe shill bidding is illegal. Glancing through some of eBay's policies, I believe I read that, if they believe it to be true, eBay may contact law enforcement in some situations.

Has anyone had any experience with this?
Permalink Reply by Joe W. on November 27, 2015 at 4:36am

I expect it is against ebay's policy. But, they probably won't do a thing to stop it or enforce it. As a rule of thumb. Have an amount in mind what you will pay and let the chips fall where they will. That would reflect on the seller's integrity. But, I've sold to people with a zero rating before and it shocks me every time if happens but they've always paid.

Permalink Reply by CJCollector on November 27, 2015 at 4:56am

I have observed rampant and obvious shill bidding in GFA-certed (Guaranteed Forensic Authenticators) auctions.

http://live.autographmagazine.com/profiles/blogs/does-ebay-now-perm...

Permalink Reply by James on November 27, 2015 at 7:42am
Thanks, Christopher. I read through your thread. You do such great work around here. This crap really p***** me off. EBay is so slimy. When they turn a blind eye to this and allow this BS to happen, thus really encouraging it for their own benefit, they really are parties to a crime. It's just good, old fashioned greed. And we pay the consequences while they line their pockets.
Permalink Reply by CJCollector on November 27, 2015 at 8:00am

Thanks, James.

And Ebay does encourage the listing of forgeries and shill bidding when they do absolutely nothing about it.

Permalink Reply by terrier8HOF on November 27, 2015 at 5:07am

why would ebay care?  if they had any amount of integrity they would not have terminated the EMR program, that weeded out forgeries.  now the crooks can do whatever they want, and Ebay is the winner. $$$$$$$$

Permalink Reply by CJCollector on November 27, 2015 at 5:10am

Terrier is correct.

In my opinion, encourages the listing of forgeries and turns a blind eye to shill bidding.

How does Ebay encourage the listing of forgeries; by their lack of action in removing forgeries and by their disbanding of the EMR team.

Permalink Reply by Bruce Juice on November 27, 2015 at 3:27pm

Remind me what "EMR" stands for? 

If it's not "Ebay Must Reek"  than is should be!

Permalink Reply by James on November 27, 2015 at 11:21pm
You are correct, sir!
Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on December 2, 2015 at 7:10am

My experience with eBay as far as complaining has not been good.  When you actually reach a real person they are often disinterested, uniformed and often snippy.  I have had long suspected the eBay hidden identity of winners is a blatant wink and a nod to shill bidding.  It used to be if I saw an individual bidding on something I would not bother because I knew it would go high.  The hidden identity also allows sellers of fake material to get away with no way to inform the buyer.  I still buy some on eBay but not to the extent I once did.  I only bid now on things I know for certain and normally from sellers I trust.  Until someone creates a viable alternative to eBay they will maintain what I consider extremely bad customer service.   Some people have had good experiences with their customer service but that has not been my experience. 

Permalink Reply by James on December 2, 2015 at 11:14pm
Scott, I can completely relate to your frustration about not being able to warn buyers or bidders about a likely bad purchase. Sometimes I will see an item that I know with absolute certainty is fake, yet people are bidding on it. And if it's a pricey item, that makes it worse, because you know an unsuspecting person is going to lose a lot of money on a piece of junk.

I really believe that is why eBay "protects" buyers' identity. Ebay does not want informed people enlightening the uninformed, because that could ruin a big money-making sale for eBay. And, of course, if you call eBay to let them know, they are going to ignore your complaint.
Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 2, 2015 at 7:48am

Ebay is an impersonal corporation in an increasingly impersonal world. To reasonably expect they to dramatically change their business model is hard to see happening. Autograph auctions should be operated by people who know and understand the hobby. I know many dealers who sell on ebay and find it distasteful but there is no alternatives which are successful and allow them to maintain control of their inventory. How else are they going to reach the masses they need a better mousetrap.

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