posted on August 30, 2000 05:38:01 AM new
I just listed and sold an item on ebay, however I have 3 more of the exact same item. I did not do a dutch auction. My question is would I be out of line contacting the other 3 high bidders, notifing them that I have the same item and accepting their offers (they were all just a few dollars short of the winning bid.)Its not like I'm spaming, they contacted me through the auction. Thanks
posted on August 30, 2000 05:45:12 AM new
Sorry but that can get you into big trouble.
What I would do is run another auction and just let them know about it. Paste a link in your email to them.
posted on August 30, 2000 05:50:13 AM new
This same issue was raised a week or so ago, and got differing opinions. I wouldn't do it personally, because I think most Ebay staffers would view it as fee avoidance if one of these bidders reports you. However, one individual claimed that she does it regularly as "Ebay has said it's OK." I don't, however, believe that Ebay would view this as the same situation as contacting a second high bidder in a completed transaction. As long as none of those bidders turns you in to Safe Harbor, you'll probably do OK, and most sellers who do what you're describing said people are generally very happy to have an opportunity to buy an item they've bid on and lost. Just make sure that everyone pays the same price.
A couple of other cautions--unless your losing bidders have specifically told you that they'd like to know if you ever have another of these items, you could be turned in for spamming if you email them with the auction info (once again, that apparently depends on which Ebay staffer works the complaint). If you do sell these items "off Ebay", you won't be able to give or receive feedback, nor will you be able to do anything through Ebay in the event that there's a problem with the transaction, e.g. non-payment or merchandise dispute.
[ edited by pickersangel on Aug 30, 2000 05:52 AM ]
posted on August 30, 2000 05:57:20 AM new
It isn't worth risking a SafeHarbor investigation. It's on eBay's list of no-no's and they make a habit of telling bidders about it in their emails. Why risk it?
If a bidder comes to you, that's a different story.
posted on August 30, 2000 08:07:31 AM new
I do this all the time and no one has complained. The worst that has happened is the second bidder saying they already found it somewhere else. To be fair, I have to offer it to everyone at the same price. So if I offer it to the top three bidders, it will be at the price of the lowest bid. If only the high bidder takes it, I stand to lose a little.
The way I see it, ebay gets my listing fee whether it sells or not. If the high bidder deadbeats, I have to jump through hoops for days to get my closing fees. I lose when ebay has a system crash. I lose when the ebay police shut down my auction for no reason. So why do I owe ebay when a stroke of luck lets me sell another? If ebay takes none of the risk, they should get none of the rewards.
posted on August 30, 2000 09:29:50 AM new
What if it sells for more if you list it?
A lady I regularly buy from has an item that she lists once in a while.
I kept missing out.
Once it went for $12 then it reached $43!
I finally got one for $17.
Just a thought!
