ebay question

[flashback]

I just recently started looking at ebay and being the paranoid type, was wondering what would prevent a seller from driving up the bid on his own product? seems like it could be done very easily....

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: ebay question

That's called 'shilling' and yeah, a guy could do it by having multiple IDs or buddies bidding. I've seen multiple auctions by the same seller that all had bids from the same bidders. The sellers feedback was all from the same bidders also! Looked fishy to me so I wasn't interested. Read feedbacks, check out the sellers other auctions, even past ones, and don't hesitate to ask the seller questions! Don't get into ebay by buying high dollar stuff either. Buy little stuff until you have some experience and feedback. Don't bother selling anything until you have good feedback built up or you won't get full price.<br /><br />It's good to be cautious, most ebayers are good folks, there are some scammers there too though.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: ebay question

That is one of the good reasons why a person's feedback rating number only counts for ONE feedback from a duplicate buyer. While the feedback text will show up, it does not count towards the seller's overall rating number.<br /><br />In order to elevate your own feedback rating dishonestly, you would need to have many, many unique identities. It is possible, but would be quite time consuming and somewhat complex. Increasing it by one or two is simple....but to create a large mass of positive feedback would be a pain.<br /><br />Before purchasing anything on eBay.... be sure to read all of the member's feedback. For complex or expensive items I typically read much of the recent feedback for previous buyer's on thier list as well.<br /><br />Ask lots of questions of the seller, and that should enable you to get a feeling for how well they communicate. Good communication goes a long way for building trust. Ebay auction rely on trust.<br /><br />Watch out for hidden shipping costs, and fine print. Ebay can be a positive or negative experience. Take your time, and proceed optimistically but with caution.

 

[JB]

Re: ebay question

If ebay catches someone doing that they are banned permanently.<br /><br />They are very good at catching them, too.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: ebay question

Originally posted by JB:<br /> If ebay catches someone doing that they are banned permanently.

There's no such thing as "banned permanently" on the internet. Email and IP addresses are free and unlimited...

 

[moderator1]

Re: ebay question

They have your name and bank account....they WILL catch'em sooner or later...unless you change your SS#, home address and bank account, of course, but highly unlikely.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: ebay question

The only thing ebay needs in order for you to sell is your email address and credit card number. We all know how easy credit card numbers are to get.

 

[moderator1]

Re: ebay question

And you must provide a SS# to get a credit card...It's approved when I.D. and all other info match your SS#.<br />It's not as easy as one might think.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: ebay question

I have 5 credit/debit cards in my wallet right now. I could easily sign up for 5 ebay selling accounts with them. I could then report all of them as lost to the CC company, get a new number, and do it all over again. It is also perfectly within ebay's rules to have more than one seller account. Your SSN is never, ever reported to ebay.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: ebay question

After you check the sellers feedback rating check how long they have been a member. I got scammed by one seller who's feedback looked great, but all his sales were over a 2 week period, he was selling phantom equipment and his friends were pretending to buy it and then leaving glowing feedback. Then he listed a lot of great deals on ham radio equipment, took the money and delivered nothing. He was kicked off but the money is gone. He refused to refund the money but an old high school buddy lived in his home town, he looked him up and tuned him up.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: ebay question

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> I could easily sign up for 5 ebay selling accounts with them. I could then report all of them as lost to the CC company, get a new number, and do it all over again.

I don't think anybody would argue that it can't be done. It'd be a lot of trouble and ebay would probably catch you.<br /><br />

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br />It is also perfectly within ebay's rules to have more than one seller account.

You're quite right<br /><br />

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br />Your SSN is never, ever reported to ebay.

Here's where you're living in a fantasy. Do you really believe eBay doesn't have access to your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion? They probably could even tell you your great-grandmother's dress size.

 

[Theghostofstorydude]

Re: ebay question

Remove the link to the thread in your signature area ASAP.<br />If you choose not to do so, consideration will be given as to removing you from this forum as every post you have made has been needless to say the least...<br />Remove the link and keep the insults out if you want to stay.<br />End of discussion...<br />By the way, this IS the last warning.

 

[KM2]

Re: ebay question

Ghost guy,<br /><br />If all you intend to do is attack Zmoz then please go away. Your problems with him don't belong here.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: ebay question

Originally posted by BoatBuoy:<br /> Here's where you're living in a fantasy. Do you really believe eBay doesn't have access to your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion?

Yes. Ebay cannot get your credit report without your SSN. My point here is that it's not difficult at all to sign up for ebay again, even if you're "banned". If somebody really wanted to scam people, it wouldn't be hard for them to get hundreds of ebay accounts...especially if they have stolen credit card numbers.<br /><br />By the way, storydude, nothing in that link of yours is incorrect. Try again.

 

[moderator1]

Re: ebay question

Zmoz, please don't add anymore fire to this...I realize you're catching some unwanted, undeserved negative slams here, but give us a chance to work on this...keep it cool, please.<br />Thank you.

 

[flashback]

Re: ebay question

Well folks, I knew I would get a lot of feedback from this post, as many of you have mentioned in your posts about the deals you have found.. anyway, I suppose there is always a way to beat the system if one is determined..So that being said I went and bid on an owners manual for a car my son just bought(1995 maxima), and won the bid. . Thought I would start out small. So if I get it, I'm a happy camper.... thanks again folks..

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: ebay question

They have your name and bank account....they WILL catch'em sooner or later...unless you change your SS#, home address and bank account, of course, but highly unlikely

ebay does NOT have acces to everybodys SSN, as some of us dont need to use a credit card to sign up. its only the people who have free emails are the ones that must provide this....<br /><br />ive been baned "for life " twice from ebay. <br />(for not paying sellers fees)<br /><br />i am now a fine and upstanding ebay user with a generous feedback rating .<br /><br />in fact, after i was banned the first time, i made a SECOND user name account" bannedforlife"<br /><br />that lasted about 2 months, then i switched to what i have now!!! <br /><br />not proud of what i did back then, this was like 4 years ago or so, but my point is that it can be done. and right now, i have 3 sellers accounts that i use all of them, for different items and purposes

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: ebay question

I stand corrected.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: ebay question

Remind me to watch who I'm buying from on ebay.......Mike scares me....

 

[flashback]

Re: ebay question

not proud of what i did back then, this was like 4 years ago or so, but my point is that it can be done. and right now, i have 3 sellers accounts that i use all of them, for different items and purposes <br />

well myoutboards, if that is the case, then how does one protect themselves? I don't harbor hard feelings toward you, but obviously you know how the system works........