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Alright. You win. I can't argue with that. The only seller out of those three that I think is shady is Imac because he just seemed like a shady guy before his recent drama. Bad vibes guy.
I'm definitely not looking to "win" since I wish there was an easy way to clean this all up, I'm just not sure what it is...
Too late you won, David Anthony is shipping you his entire collection.
Folks, I've been at an auction for cards (beautiful '51 Bowman sets etc...) in which the AUCTIONEER bid on an item to get the bidding up!
That's what he wants you to think. He's usually hiding behind the Nabisco cookies.
Well since it isn't rocket science, explain it to us simpletons, Mr. MENSA
Fwiw I think Probstien is as legit as they come.
If you took my response to be sarcastic or condescending, it wasn't. But your smarmy response is quite childish.
All I mean is that a good business person finds ways to police it as best as possible. There is nothing fool-proof. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Anything worth doing is, in fact, a lot of work. It is important to find ways to deter it if you want your buyers to know you have integrity.
Nothing like a good call out shiller thread. Funny to see BigBoyd in here lol (smack forehead)
I asked for a solution. You didn't provide one. The best way to prevent it is to prevent it? WELL THEN!
I don't know why you are trying to goad me but I won't fall for it. I'm not into attempted provoking of a pissing match type discussion, which I am assuming is your intent with the condescending type responses you have given me. I understand that you may be a big fan and supporter of Probstein and that's fine. If you don't mind being shilled (or being the beneficiary), then more power to you. Happy Collecting.
He is sounding condescending because he's asked you for a solution a couple of times now and you can't provide one. One that makes any sense anyway. If you yourself cannot figure out a viable solution, how can you honestly sit there and demand others do it?
Ok, I'll play. I can only state my opinion of suggestions or at least things I would do myself. (And before anyone wants to say "Then why don't you start your own blah blah blah..." I already have a good job and have no interest in owning an auction house)
1. Make it VERY clear that if you or a close friend/relative are highly suspected of shilling your own consignments, you are banned from consigning and blocked from bidding.
2. Make it VERY clear that if you win your own auction or found to have won your own consignments, you are banned from consigning and blocked from bidding. No "safety bids" are allowed. If you want your item to have a reserve, then it should be advised.
3. Randomly choose auctions or choose auctions you believe bidding to be suspect, look at the bidding history and feedback of the bidders. If it strongly suggests shilling, block those IDs that are suspected or probable shilling accounts.
4. IDs must be registered bidders. I believe this can still be done on ebay but I'm not 100% certain.
5. Be forthright if there is an auction customers are questioning. Advise what you have done to look into the situation and your conclusions. Ignoring complaints is bad customer service.
6. Do not allow bidders with less than "X" number of feedback. That will eliminate all of the "0" Feedback bidders and fake accounts.
7. Look at consignor's bid histories on all their auctions. When a bidder has 98% bidding history on a certain consignor's history, you can easily see what IDs they are using to shill their auctions. This is not difficult to do.
8. Make consignors sign an agreement that they will not attempt to alter the bidding of the items they submit. That is actually protection of the consignment business more than anything.
Those are what I thought of from the top of my head. I'm sure there must be more. Is it easy? No. Is it time consuming? Yes. And I am sure that it is seldom that an issue is black or white but all should be handled accordingly. There is and never will be a 100% solution but it is essential to have deterrents if you want to be seen as honest and with integrity.
I "get it" that consignors want shilling to happen. I "get it" those sending their stuff for consignment want shilling to happen. It's more money in their pockets. So, it is easy to ignore it because enough people are willing to put their hands over their eyes and just pretend it isn't happening. Buyers just have to be wise how they bid and use sniping services.
I'm also sure that this is not the first time people have discussed these issues and have offered their thoughts. We have all read the threads whether it be here or another message board. I didn't think it was necessary for me to start listing solutions but there you go. Now have fun ripping apart my list.