question re Shill bidding

[izabsmiling]

I know that it's a no no as far as ebay goes .

Is it or isn't it also illegal  ?

[izabsmiling]

supa nova , was that case in the UK in 2010 ?

The Sydney Morning Herald, April 22, 2010,Martin Wainwright

A North Yorkshire trading standards official, Jo Boutflower, said: ''We hope this case is a wake-up call to people who trade on eBay, or other auction sites. Some people do this either themselves or by getting friends and family to bid on their items. They may not think they're doing anything wrong but actually they are breaking the law.''

Vanessa Canzini, head of corporate communications for eBay in Europe, said: ''Shill bidding is illegal and it is important for people to understand that there is not, nor has there ever been, room for illegal activity on our site.

''[This case] acts as a strong deterrent to the small minority who attempt to use our site inappropriately.''

[purple.cow]

Yes Brothers-in-arms, it's the same in all Australian states, just as the law says that 'Vendor bid' may not be entered once the property has been declared as being 'On the market' by the auctioneer, but it's usually the auctioneer themselves who declare the Vendor bid during the auction process, but that's only done when bidding has stalled badly and is still way under the reserve price of the property.

I've never found a case when a vendor bid has been declared to make any difference to getting the bidding moving though, so it seems to me that the practise is a totally wasted exercise.

Sorry SuperNova, I should have made my point clearer because I was only talking about Australia, not other countries.

[i-once-was-bump]

Iza it is also immoral and unethical and to be involved in such an activity really says a lot about a person.

[***super_nova***]

acts as a strong deterrent to the small minority who attempt to use our site inappropriately.''

Most likely that is the one. 

At the time I was looking into legality of shillbidding, it was not actually illegal in Victoria.  I am aware that since then something has changed in real estate auctions, not sure if the laws are state or not. 

[pay-back!!!]

It is unethical, and usually in society that is enough. But not on eBay.

[izabsmiling]

Iza it is also immoral and unethical and to be involved in such an activity really says a lot about a person.

I agree Bump, I'm amazed at what can be seen as big issues that are in fact non issues ..

This issue is big,illegal/fraudulent and all that you say and it doesn't always seem to be seen as much of an issue at all by some ? That doesn't reflect well 

[izabsmiling]

What are the implications of shill bidding?

For honest auction participants — both buyers and sellers — shill bidding damages the auction process by instilling distrust in the practice. Buyers may avoid auctions where they believe shill bidding is tolerated. Sellers may find lower prices where their items are sold at auctions which potential bidders are avoiding.

Mike Brandly, Auctioneer

[go-tazz]

It's getting to the stage where it's a waste of time reporting them as some seem to have ""found"" a way around it and wont be restricted.

Have messaged yet again why this "seller" is still allowed to sell after their shiller was NARU'd.

They then "employed" another shiller who has now being replaced by yet another shiller.

30-Day Summary

Total bids: 194

Items bid on: 79

Bid activity (%) with this seller: 100% Bid retractions:

1 Bid retractions

(6 months): 1

30-Day Summary

Total bids: 265

Items bid on: 100

Bid activity (%) with this seller: 96%

A clear case of shill bidding, X-(

What's the odds that they can't "find" a problem,;-)

[izabsmiling]

Hi Go Tas, I've just been reading results of searches including the words ACCC shill bidding.I suppose you and many others already know what that reveals .

[go-tazz]

I suppose you and many others already know what that reveals .

Thanks,haven't seen those in a while,:^O

Most of that was posted by Philip on the boards at one time,:^O

I've dug up the shill bidding Policy overview.

Shill bidding happens when anyone—including family, friends, roommates, employees,
or online connections—bids on an item with the intent to artificially increase its price
or desirability.
In addition,members cannot bid on or buy items in order to artificially increase
a seller's Feedback or to improve the item's search standing.

Make sure you follow these guidelines.
If you don’t, you may be subject to a range of actions,
including limits of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.
Shill bidding is also illegal in many places and can carry severe penalties.

And the: Reporting shill bidding

Learn more about reporting listing violations.
If you think you see shill bidding taking place on a listing, report it to us.
Be sure to provide the member's user ID and the item number.
We thoroughly investigate every report we receive.
Often what appears to be shill bidding isn't a violation,(that's their out,as they only have to say they see no connection).
If there is evidence of shill bidding, we will take action,
which may include listing cancellation or referral to law enforcement.
However, our privacy policy prevents us from disclosing
 the details of our investigation to other members,
including the person who reported the issue.

The dark underlined bits are starting to mean nothing if the ID involved is a TRS.