1p auctions to obtain feedback- is this abuse of the system?

[HannaHolly]

I was just browsing the 'busy' auctions ( i still have the old link!) and came across a dutch listing from a new seller selling a photo for 1p ( to be sent electronically-- no P & P). I noticed that someone had bought a copy of this photo- and that they too were selling 1p photos. Both sellers are new to ebid - been here just a few days. The main 'benefit' appears to be obtaining feedback . Is it just me - or is this an abuse of the feedback system?

[Anichka54]

I was just browsing the 'busy' auctions ( i still have the old link!) and came across a dutch listing from a new seller selling a photo for 1p ( to be sent electronically-- no P & P). I noticed that someone had bought a copy of this photo- and that they too were selling 1p photos. Both sellers are new to ebid - been here just a few days. The main 'benefit' appears to be obtaining feedback . Is it just me - or is this an abuse of the feedback system?

I agree, i don't think it's allowed. They should both be reported.

[technojoy]

I didn't think anything that could be sent electronically i.e. photos, docs etc. was allowed on the site anyway so in that sense they've broken not one but two rules.

[buttons-and-bows]

I think anyone selling 1p auctions just to gain feedback should be stopped from doing it. It could be easy to spot bins and dutch auctions of 1p if the software is available, but you would need to let ordinary auction listings with a 1p start go through, but on a site with no listing fees there should not be many of them but some use them to attract buyers.

[nykmedia]

If e-books aren't allowed then electronic downloads of photographs shouldn't be allowed. However, in defence of penny listings, I use this method to offer items that would normally be free. This is not an attempt to boost feedback ratings and it certainly doesn't raise any buddy points, it's simply the only way of offering these particular items that is permissible by eBid rules.

[crazy_piercings]

I was just browsing the 'busy' auctions ( i still have the old link!) and came across a dutch listing from a new seller selling a photo for 1p ( to be sent electronically-- no P & P). I noticed that someone had bought a copy of this photo- and that they too were selling 1p photos. Both sellers are new to ebid - been here just a few days. The main 'benefit' appears to be obtaining feedback . Is it just me - or is this an abuse of the feedback system?

I agree 100% ................

[HannaHolly]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.
I've not reported either seller, as reporting often leads top automatic suspention ( where sometimes a word of warning/adbice would be better). I'm hoping they read the forums and will get the message anyway

[BAGHAG999]

I have done 1p listings before to attract buyers to my other items mainly on feebay and it has brought results.
But this with photos doesant seem right.

[lofty100e]

I agree it can only be for feedback manipulation. There is also the matter of copyright breaches with this kind of thing as well.

[Bearsden06]

Probably friends buying off each other or may even be the same person buying off themselves getting the ground ready for a scam???