OT: Strange eBay practice

[tetrisattack]

This is fascinating. I don't sell stuff on eBay but the psychology at play here is really something. Thanks for this thread.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I wonder if this is an indication that a lot of folks bid more than they are really comfortable paying, then, once they cool off a bit, buying the item at their highest bid price doesn't look as good anymore?

I think it is because Second Chance Offers are notoriously susceptible to fraud.

That is why increasing numbers of SELLERS are moving towards using private bidding list, so fraudsters can't contact your bidders after your auction has concluded to offer them these fake "second chance offers"

 

[BrianShaw]

... many (smart) eBay buyers avoid the listings with Private Bidding lists because they offer the buyer no protection against shill bidders. They are only useful if one (either the buyer or seller) is up to no good IMHO!

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

if you know the maximum price you are willing to pay, why would you care about shill bidders? As Clint Eastwood once noted in Magnum Force: "A good man always knows his limitations"

and do you really want fraudsters contacting people on your bidding list offering them fradulent Second Chance Offers, using your Ebay ID as a ruse? Sure, eventually it will be exposed as a ruse when the poor soul gets taken and complains to Ebay. But in the meantime, your good name has been run through the mud by a poor unsuspecting victim.

I agree with you there are pros and cons, and no perfect solution to the problem of either shill bidders or fake/fradulent Second Chance Offers. You just have to decide as a seller, which is more important to you, the lesser of two lesser solutions, so to speak.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I think the long and the short of it is (and Brian probably agrees) ... if you can avoid selling or buying on Ebay, do so.

I prefer to purchase from fellow members on RFF and photo.net. Particularly from members I already know.

 

[oscroft]

I think it is because Second Chance Offers are notoriously susceptible to fraud

Yes, I think that is the case. You're perfectly safe taking up a Second Chance offer provided you do so via your eBay login on the site (and not by replying to a Second Chance email). But most people aren't tech-savvy enough to understand the limits of fraud possibility and so probably just ignore them (which, if you're not sufficiently confident they're genuine, is exactly the right thing to do)

 

[BrianShaw]

I think the long and the short of it is (and Brian probably agrees) ... if you can avoid selling or buying on Ebay, do so.

I prefer to purchase from fellow members on RFF and photo.net. Particularly from members I already know.

I'll agree to that, Tom. I buy on eBay, but in a rather conservative manner. I haven't yet sold a thing on eBay but will probably start eventually. There's a bunch of great stuff being stored in my garage that I haven't looked at for years. Time to unload!

 

[NIKON KIU]

Hi, this is probably way off topic but I am very curious as to the cause of this behavior. I had an item posted on ebay, with reserve price listed. Many folks bid on the item but stopped short of the reserve price. I am scratching my head about this one and can’t figure it out - why bid at all if the reserve price is too high for the bidder? Is there some kind of strategy in this?

I have a theory of my own...May be the bidders do that so they get a "second chance offer" for less than the reserve amount.
Another theory would be the bidders(probably kids),are bidding for fun, knowing they are not obligated to buy.
Kiu

 

[oftheherd]

Yes, I think that is the case. You're perfectly safe taking up a Second Chance offer provided you do so via your eBay login on the site (and not by replying to a Second Chance email). But most people aren't tech-savvy enough to understand the limits of fraud possibility and so probably just ignore them (which, if you're not sufficiently confident they're genuine, is exactly the right thing to do)

I guess that should be the red flag. I have bought a couple of things on a second chance, but only after logging in. I never answer unsolicited emails about ebay. They get the delete button without a look.

 

[David Murphy]

The bidders do not know the reserve unless you tell them. All they know is that there maxuimum bid does not meet the reserve so that's it for them, unless they are will to enter a higher bid for more.

Your item did not sell for two reasons:

1) Buyers hate reserve auctions -- they feel they are "rigged" somehow, and that they can't win. This happens even with a reasonably low reserve.

2) You were not willing accept what the market determines is a fair price.

I recommend that you relist the item with no reserve, you will learn what it is worth that way and you may even get a good price since you will attract more bidders. Most reserve auctions end with no winner, or rather the winner is eBay who gets the listing fee and a reserve auction fee on top of that.

Good luck

 

[akptc]

David, I've come to the same conclusions but especially #2. Since used M7 prices seem to have dropped so much, I've decided to stop paying eBay and removed my listing.

Btw, this has been a very education discussion, much appreciated.