Ebay Shill Bidding

If you looked at my bidding histories you'd likely wanna call the FBI. I have dozens of loyal customers that only buy on ebay from me.

I was wondering about group bidding also. I sold items on ebay using a seller but never bought any items. Now looking to sell on my own I watch the bidding process. As you said some people support certain sellers and may be guilty of shill bidding but with being able to list your items with a starting price you are comfortable with should eliminate this practice. Also an informed buyer will know what the maximum amount they want to bid for an item. Buyers remorse causes many thoughts to enter your mind. Have a good day.

Ok this is the long story, last night I was in a hurry, ( I will modify some non-essential details to protect all parties)

Step (1) Vendor lists perhaps 50 different coins starting at $.99, all low value stuff like 1932 Lincoln cents for example in medium condition.

Step (2) Almost immediately every single coin has 1 bid placed, all by bidders with 80-90% of their bids only with this vendor.

Step (3) I place a modest bid like $1.29.

Step (4) Shortly there-after another bid comes up a few cents over mine, now by another bidder with 90%+ bids only with same vendor.

Step (5) I wait till auction is almost over then place a relatively high bid (like $12) and watch, Slowly the bids increment up, all by bidders with 80-90% bidding only with this vendor.

Step (6) I win auction, in this case for $11 or so...

I do understand the bidding process, and don't mind losing, I don't even mind the $11 price, since I do want this coin. But in checking many other coin auctions I found that I am rarely bidding against anyone else that has over 5% exclusive to the vendor bids. Also most vendors do not have all their auctions for common coins start with one bid almost immediately.

So my question still stands, should this be reported to e-bay or is it a waste of time. I'm sure if they want too they have the tools to go much deeper than I can, with not knowing who the other bidders are or their history with a given vendor in detail.

Sorry for the long rant, but, I hope it fully explains my concerns. And does so without needlessly damaging someones reputation if I am wrong.

Thanks, it sure looks fishy but I'm afraid no one cares. One buyer has bought over 250 items from only this vender, no one else. Leaves him nice feedback also. He seems to buy whenever the sell price is below melt... hum...

Update, since this was posted, several of his regular Bidders (the ones that do almost 100% of their bidding with him only) have posted a few bids with other venders.... remember 100 plus in a row with him only now just this week a few with others.... I wonder if he reads these posts?

Since I have bought a few items from him I now have his real address, I think it is time to report him to authorities. It is hard to belive it is not a con, as I have checked dozens of other vendors along these same lines with no pattern even close to his. There are many large organizations eager to expose ebay frauds.

I sure hope you know what you're doing. The "evidence" you have proves absolutely nothing. These bidders could be loyal customers as easily as shill bidders. If you push it and you're wrong, you'll be the one signing for your mail.

Is it wrong to report possible actions to ebay and let them sort it out?

Your very right that it's not worth a big fight but, if it is going on I would think ebay would like to put a stop to it.

I see! What I had in mind was ebay. They can do whatever they do since only they have any chance of proving anything. I'm getting the impression that it is not worth the time. Oh well... I'll move on. Thanks for the wise advice, venting here has calmed me down some.