Bans FB friends from bidding thread on the bay.

[JaBek1]

I've been reading a thread on the bay's Seller Central Board that indicates that the bay has banned Facebook friends from bidding on a seller's auction in the shill bidding policy. Interestingly enough, they permit the online friends to buy but only as a fixed price buyer. Evidently they consider it shilling if they participate in an auction by bidding. Of course, the use of the term "shilling" in this context doesn't quite match the usage of the term in most state statutes on the subject.

Another interesting aspect of the policy is that the bay offers an easy link to share a listing on Facebook and other social networking sites. So a seller using the auction listing format may promote their listings by sharing them with their friends in cyberspace provided their friends don't bid on any of the items. Somehow that makes perfect sense for a normal "Catch 22" on the bay.

I, of course, propose placing a notice in the comment attached to the shared listing advising ones friends not to bid, but if interested to contact through the social site's messaging system to arrange an "off the bay" transaction. That way no one has to violate the bay's "shilling" rule and since the bay has indicated the friends are prohibited from participating in the auction on their site, the seller isn't breaking their policy against "off the bay" transactions because no transaction can take place there between the parties anyway per their own rule. It also has the added advantage of allowing the seller to offer discounts to their online friends thanks to the savings on the FVF's not having to be paid to the bay. The only cost for use of the bay would be the listing fees (advertising costs) for anything over the first 50 freebies.

It really appears that the bay is intent on shooting itself in the foot once again. I'm curious, does anyone know how many toes the bay has left?

[craig7501]

Well with the amount of times the bay has shot itself in the foot I'm surprised they've even got a leg to stand on

[buttons-and-bows]

So In other words they could stop all the members on my doll forums from bidding on each others stuff, well thats real helpful

[suesjools]

Well with the amount of times the bay has shot itself in the foot I'm surprised they've even got a leg to stand on

LOL!

Yet another example of stupidity in notion, brought to you by your good friends at Feepay...

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[MagnetsAndHangers]

It is nice to know that at last someone is doing something to help prevent shill bidding.

Should ebid ever get to a position where there are bidding wars, I would fully expect them to take similar measures to help prevent shill bidding. (which I believe would be a good thing)

[bykimbo]

It is nice to know that at last someone is doing something to help prevent shill bidding.

Should ebid ever get to a position where there are bidding wars, I would fully expect them to take similar measures to help prevent shill bidding. (which I believe would be a good thing)

As you know, I'm not one of the anti-ebay cheerleaders (and am wondering if I'll regret encouraging discussing ebay here, which I tend to think is wrong), but I do want to comment on that... preventing shill bidding is important, for sure. But if they really do (I've not seen the direct source, only this discussion) put in place a system that says FB friends can't deal that's daft. I have people on my FB list who are *only* there because we deal together - we have become friends (some true friends, some just FB contacts) entirely because we deal with each other. Does that mean that people who know each other through the buyer / seller route, or because they share a marketplace can never use each other's items again? That, if the plan, is insane.

[astral276]

By that token, many people in these forums could not bid on each other's items. The YDC would also die a death.

It is no wonder buyers become paranoid when they see the bays outlook on sellers.

Only stupid shill bidders are detected anyway.

[MagnetsAndHangers]

As you know, I'm not one of the anti-ebay cheerleaders (and am wondering if I'll regret encouraging discussing ebay here, which I tend to think is wrong), but I do want to comment on that... preventing shill bidding is important, for sure. But if they really do (I've not seen the direct source, only this discussion) put in place a system that says FB friends can't deal that's daft. I have people on my FB list who are *only* there because we deal together - we have become friends (some true friends, some just FB contacts) entirely because we deal with each other. Does that mean that people who know each other through the buyer / seller route, or because they share a marketplace can never use each other's items again? That, if the plan, is insane.

I know what you are saying kimbo, but over the years they have been slammed for the amount of shill bidding going on.
Shill bidding is usually done by friends etc, so am all for any sort of move to cut it out (or at least cut it down) - at least this is a step in that direction.

I guess they aint gonna win on this one whichever they go with it.

Anyone on my fb friends list is encouraged to contact me direct to make purchases (which was the main reason for listing all my items on photobucket)

Any seller that gets caught being involved in shill bidding deserves what they get.

[WiccaBasketUK]

Some of my facebook friends are my best customers! And it is not shill bidding, they genuinely want the product which i am happy to supply

Penni

[HerMajesty]

This is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Most of my FB friends have no clue what my seller name is, but if they want to buy, it should be their business. This makes it seem like EVERYONE is out to cheat. ridiculous.