Bob Simmons wrote:
>there is an investigation going on right now regarding ebay by the justice
>department. It regards basically what I had previously mentioned.
>lets create
>a scenario you may be able to understand.
>I see something I want on EBAY. I bid on that item.
>a friend of the person selling puts a bid in slightly higher than mine.
>I want the item, so I bid again, slightly higher than the friend.
>The item now has an artificially inflated price.
>This may go back and forth several times, until either the sale fails, or an
>artificially inflated price is paid. This is against the law. (It
>is actually
>against the law to bid on your own item. Having acquantances do it
>is the same
>thing).
>In previous attempts to get a manual, the price I topped at was around $35
>dollars. The price always went higher (this must be true as I have previously
>bid on a few of these, and do not own one yet).
>On the latest bid, I start at $25 dollars. (Should I start at $50? That
>wouldn't make sense, would it). Yes, it is supposed to work it's
>way up, as it
>tradionally does. Well, it does not, and in fact, no other bids are made on
>the product. This occuring at the same time of an investigation. Why do all
>the previous books sell for so much more, and now this one does not even make
>it to my initial bid?
>When a person monitors the activities of ebay, and sees that these things are
>selling for $50, dollar signs light up in their eyes. Thus, a high reserve is
>placed on the item, that may not be met.
>I am not calling anyone a crook, so don't jump to conclusions.
>Obviously there
>are people on this board that may have sold their old manuals. What I am
>trying to do is explain how a scam works, and how we can be duped into paying
>more. Would I like to pay $25 for the manual? Yes. Would I pay more? Yes.
>And, yes, I have a limit I would pay, to answer your question. Now, even when
>I am the highest bidder, I am not getting the book, due to a high reserve.
>Talk about confounding!
>thanks
I understand the problem here, Bob. But I don't understand how it's
enforceable. And I don't understand why this lousy "Justice"
Department thinks it has to investigate eBay for this. It's not eBay
that's responsible... it's the sellers and their friends. How is
eBay supposed to control it?
My suggestion is if you don't want to be scammed on eBay in this
fashion, then don't shop there.
I don't intend to be disrespectful or rude, but it sounds like a case
of, "Doctor, doctor... It hurts when I do this."
Personally, I wish people would stop expecting the government to come
to the rescue over stupid stuff like this. (not that you necessarily
do, Bob) It shouldn't be the government putting Microsoft out of
business, it ought to be YOU (meaning people in general, of course)
by not buying Microsoft software and realizing that there is another
(and much better!) platform out there.
Besides, expecting THIS administration to investigate illegalities or
breeches of ethics is like sending a skunk to find where the nasty
smell is coming from.
Just my opinion, of course.
Pete Chadwell
1973 Triumph TR6
Power Macintosh G4/400
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