Shill Bidding and Second Chance Offers

[reitand@xxxxxxxxx]

John,

Firstly, I don't think it's any big deal to post an eBay item number
or the seller's name.  Anyone who uses eBay can find it in a hurry
based on limited information - it took me no time to track this one
down.

I've dealt with this particular seller before, and received nothing
short of stellar service from him.  He even threw in an extra NOS air
cleaner decal for me at no charge.  John, I see you have posted some
positive feedback for him very recently as well.

Considering the extensive and nearly flawless feedback histories of
both the seller and winning bidder, it seems highly doubtful that any
malicious activity is going on here.  Perhaps he has more than one
set of these, and would rather sell to you directly instead of going
through the eBay listing process (and fees) again.

We can only speculate on that, but at any rate, here's what I would
do in your situation.  Accept the second chance offer, but state that
you are only willing to pay $62.00.  This is what you WOULD have paid
if not for the participation of the winning bidder.  If that isn't
acceptable to him, then he can put it on eBay and leave it to chance.

Another tactic to try is sniping (last minute bidding).  Some don't
think this is fair or ethical, but the auction isn't over until the
last second ticks off the clock.  This is the ONLY way I bid on eBay.
This doesn't allow shillers (or any other bidders, for that matter,
except fellow snipers) any time to spring into action.

I've scored some great deals this way, but at times have also lost
out to other snipers with slightly deeper pockets than I.  That's how
it is sometimes.

Dean Reitan
Calgary, AB, Canada
1972 Matador 2-door, 304
-----
Here's an interesting coincidence.  Some of you will recall that I am 
searching for Barcelona medallions for my '78 Coupe.   I was notified 
by several attentive listers of a lot that was on eBay.  I 
subsequently bid on this lot.  With four hours to go I was the sole 
bidder at the opening bid price.

I watched the item for a while, then another bid was placed.  This 
was followed by  two more bids from another bidder, neither of which 
beat the second bidder.  By now, a considerable amount of money was 
on the table.  At this point, with about 10 minutes to go, I made a 
(in my opinion) very high bid - which failed to win.  I let the item 
go as I was not going to pay for three items when I needed only two 
of them - particularly as I considered the price too high.

Just now - some 4 hours after the sale, I've been offered a "Second 
Chance" at my too-high bid.

I'm not going to suggest that a shill was working on this but I have 
my suspicions.  The high bidder appears to be a dealer in old car 
bits as is the seller.

I'd like the opinions of the list.  Note that I have purposely not 
identified the seller, or the lot number - and don't wish to bring 
that information forward to the list in view of the legality of such 
a revelation.

John

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