Is there anything to stop people having multi log on's to try and encourage people to place bids by putting some dummy bids on ? I presume Ebay has something in place to stop this ?

Lucy
xx

don't know about that but its easy to get friends to bid for your items if it looks like you could create a bidding war & if the person who isn't your friend pulls out you can relist the item.  Personally I've never done this but know of some who have.

I think it's called "shill bidding" and you can report it if you suspect it.

I can't see the point really as you will pay listing fees and final valuation fees on the item then.  Like everything, the minority are always out to spoil things.

Yes but if it is a chum or a dummy bidder who gets the final bid, they can withdraw and then isn't there a second chance offer to other bidders ? Not sure what that is all about ?

I am sure it goes on but difficult to prove :)

Also can you set a bid attempt for a time in the future ? If for example you want to place a bid and few mins before but won't be able to get to a PC ?

Lucy
xx

Mmm doesn't seem ethical though :)I suppose it happens in normal auction rooms ?

Lucy
xx

I can't see how mulit log on's can be stopped?  Surly you cant use IP as more then one person might use same PC with IP, you can't easily use e-mail, I myself have numerous! 

I also have friends who will get family to push up bids.....I don't have an account, I use my dads, so far all thats been brought is two items!  My birthday and christmas prezzies!!!!!!

Yes you can set a bid for the future using a "sniping tool".  This bids for you, on your behalf, right at the end of the auction.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/shillBidding.html

Thanks for the link :) I wonder how much Ebay police it !

I will try the sniping tool :)

Lucy
xx

people do do it, I know one guy i bought some hamster stuff off actually sent me an email tellinmg me about his other 2 ebay user ID's.

If your friend wins you can do a second chance offer - you can do this anyway on any item the winning bidder does not need to pull out, people do it if they maybe got an extra high price for their item and they have another one they would like to sell for a similar price without listing it again.

If your friend or whoever wins you can also do a non paying bidder notice, you can opt for "we mutually agreed not to complete the transaction" that means that your friend does not get a unpaid item strike against them and you still get the final value fee credited.

You can always set a reserve on the item if you dont want it to go too cheap altho they do charge a fee for that

And yes i do spend 24/7 on eBay lol

It is called shill bidding and you will be suspended for it.
Ebay have programmes in place that automaticallt detect low rated members bidding on things and if they keep bidding on the same peoples things and never winning all accounts involved will be suspended.