I noticed recently on some of the higher end gear multiple bids from new buyers with one to zero feedback. Totally out of the blue. One guy bidding on a Marantz quad even had a negative one feeback. How the hell do you get a -1?

One particular seller with multiple auctions of very desireable stuff had more than the average number of zero Feedback bidders. These zeros seemed to be jacking up the prices. They never buy anything and stop convienently when the real buyer maxes out.

Do you're homework before you buy. Check the seller's feedback, other buyer's feeback, purchases and date starting at eBay, and items being sold.

Don't get caught bidding against a dummy buyer.

Take care.

Newbies. . . I guess they got to learn someway but why learn on the item I want to buy. . .

I dont think they are "Dummy" buyers per se but just the next crop of newbies. . . I have noticed "cycles" where you see nothing but "0" FB bidders everywhere then back to normal and then again. . . Something is pulling them out of the closet. .

There are "Dummy" sellers too. . . .

Question. Is there anyway on anything you are bidding on to know if you're bidding against another AKer? Thanks.
Mushy

Question. Is there anyway on anything you are bidding on to know if you're bidding against another AKer? Thanks.
Mushy

If I recognize a name I'll either back off or bid harder depending on how bad I want it. . . Of course I'll email the AKer first to see what his intentions are and to pleade my case if it is a piece I can't live without. . .

eBay is an auction after all where the highest bidder wins. . .Still if I know I ask. . .or back off if its not a absolute gotta have it item. . .

sometimes these dummy bidders are pretty obvious, their usernames are almost identical (they usually change a letter or too (pretty lazy). take a look at this sellers feedback;

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MCINTOSH-MC2000-TUBE-AMPLIFIER-MAGNIFICENT_W0QQitemZ9743726794QQihZ008QQcategoryZ 14980QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Yep, they've been selling alot of counterfeit stuff over there too.
Hmmmmm.... $50 shipping worldwide! what a deal. wonder what it will look like when ya get it?

Recently, I have been seeing the low/no feedback buyers bidding and winning auctions. In addition to the shill bidder suspiscion, I wondered if some of them were regular eBay sellers with a second account, Perhaps, they are buying some inventory while the price is right.

The sellers are just driving up the prices. That's what the bloke meant by "dummy" buyers. If you know you have some guys on the line, you just bid and bid until you max them out. I did this once to a guy that I knew was bidding on his own shit. I bid 1000.00 to see what the guy really bid, and it was 390.00. For a yamaha A-1000 :yikes: I love yammi's and the A-1000, but not for that much. for that much it better f#*k me and s&@k me.

so anyhow, after I see his bid, I retracted my bid and said I bid too much, as in one too many zero's. So the guy won his own auction, and sure enough 3 days later it was back up for sale. He was telling everybody a whole crock of shit to explain it. I promptly emailed him and said your welcome.

Im an Ass hole, Im an ass hole yodolee didaladoo Im an ass hole :D

Is there any restriction on a seller regarding cancelling bids he doesn't like? I see sellers say they will cancel bids unless this and that are done first, just wondering how far they can do this.

Is there any restriction on a seller regarding cancelling bids he doesn't like? I see sellers say they will cancel bids unless this and that are done first, just wondering how far they can do this.

You can cancel any bid you like for any reason. . .You do not have to do business with anyone you dont want to unless you are the bidder. . .
'
Not saying it is the thing to do and I would be careful doing it. . .

I've canceled bids with only minutes left because the bidder I was after only bid to cause trouble. . . You know you should cancel bids first before canceling an auction which you can do at any time as well. . .Just dont change it with less than 12 hours left. . .You can cancel it but dont change it. . .

Now guys. . .I am not advocating just explaining. . . .

Isn't "shill bidder" the more common term used for this practice? And isn't it a somewhat infamous, well known pitfall of shopping on Epay?

Isn't "shill bidder" the more common term used for this practice? And isn't it a somewhat infamous, well known pitfall of shopping on eBay?

Shill bidding is someone bidding up your auction with no intention of buying, only getting the real buyer to pay more artificially. . .

I too have noticed this on items I have bid on. I always look at both the feedback of the seller AND the feedback of my "competition". Have wondered if this is the reason there are alot of reserves not met lately (other than greedy sellers). I have resorted to Auction Sentry. I set it at what I am willing to pay and let it place the bid . I have actually saved some dough this way :thmbsp: No more sitting in front of the screen waiting to pull the trigger.
What really bugs me is when the bidding war has escalated with 6 days left
example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250003515034

They always seem to be the same people :scratch2:

I think that one of the most common practices is to have a couple of your buddies bid an item up knowing that they would not have to actually buy it. Bottom line is to decide in advance how much you would pay for an item and stick to it. When the items appears again you will know it was not a real auction. :thumbsdn:

I too have noticed this on items I have bid on. I always look at both the feedback of the seller AND the feedback of my "competition". Have wondered if this is the reason there are alot of reserves not met lately (other than greedy sellers). I have resorted to Auction Sentry. I set it at what I am willing to pay and let it place the bid . I have actually saved some dough this way :thmbsp: No more sitting in front of the screen waiting to pull the trigger.
What really bugs me is when the bidding war has escalated with 6 days left
example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250003515034

They always seem to be the same people :scratch2:

I think Stolijohn needs to put the plug in the jug! :beer:

I kinda like the "Make Offer" auctions with no bidding. . .I guess that wouldn't be much fun though. . .

I think Stolijohn needs to put the plug in the jug! :beer:

And then look at the stuff he actually is winning.....WTF. If these morons are not serious about it then leave it alone...either that or place an opening bid of a million dollars so we don't waste our time.