posted on January 30, 2001 02:15:51 PM new
I am posting this under a new id. This post probably should be under the eBay fourm, but I don't want to attract attention to it. I am going to edit the subject so it won't be picked up in a search. Sorry this is so long!
Over the past week or so there has been a very popular topic regarding people sellers who are defrauding buyers. The thread is entitled, "please look at this auction".
There are some who have been VERY outspoken on this topic against the sellers in question and some who have alerted the bidders in these fraudulent auctions by email urging them to go back and very carefully read the auction descriptions to determine what they are actually bidding on. Also safeharbor was notified and several auctions have been closed. I realize this may sound like a few people playing netcop, but it is actually some of us trying to help. Please note that this is not a case of a witch hunt by a few zealous people going after all sellers.
I am coping this from a post on EF
I don't think people are going after the actual real, honest ***edit*** sellers, they are going after those who make it pretty apparent they are not selling what they appear to be. When I say, "apparent" I mean to those who know what to look for. These are the ones who will not clarify what it is they are actually selling, will not return emails, etc When a real ***edit*** seller realizes that their auctions may be confused with those dishonest ***edit*** auctions they quickly reword their auctions so there is NO misunderstanding!
Sorry this message is so cryptic, but like I said, I don’t want the subject picked up on a site search.
Here is the problem, one or more of these seller's who has had their auctions closed down by eBay are now going after some of the more outspoken posters on this subject. This is happening with people who post on the ebay forum with the same name as they list auctions under.
Someone emailed me this morning and here it is, edited a little.
[i]Two days ago someone started sending my newbie high bidders a "warning" about
me, as a seller ~ I have over ***edit*** feedback and 2 negs.[/i] (She is a power seller with only 2 negs)
It seems the person harassing her high bidders is one of the people or their supporters from these auctions that was closed by eBay because he is taking quoting certain posters in the ebay forum.
[i]What's good for the goose is good for the gander. Not as much fun when the
shoe is on the other foot, is it?[/i]
This guy is contacting all her high bidders and saying things like they were ripped off by her or that her items smelled of smoke and other untrue things.
[i]How do I stop this creep? I've e-mailed Safe Harbor, USA.net, and Power
Sellers. Looks like I need to hide my identity on AW to speak my mind ~
sheesh! You always seem to know what's up ~ any ideas for me?[/i]
Private auctions are naturally one way to go, but there is also a chance this creep will screw up her auctions by bidding and retracting.
So, I am throwing this to you, the more seasoned eBay veterans in hopes of some advice.
Thank you.
[ edited by notreallyme on Jan 30, 2001 02:20 PM ]
posted on January 30, 2001 02:32:02 PM new
Unfortunately the best way to avoid such things is to be anonymous here. I don't publish my email address or my main eBay ID just for that reason.
After the fact, I'm not sure what more can be done except wait for the bad guys to get bored and go away. Beyond contacting SafeHarbor, notifying the user's ISP and possibly putting notifications on each auction to clue bidders in to what's happening (although that would surely look odd to some potential bidders), I think letting it blow over is the best remedy. I'd probably make my auctions private and explain why in the listing, and tell bidders to check my feedback to confirm my good reputation. What a raw deal that this is happening!
posted on January 30, 2001 02:54:06 PM new
I have to admit this advise is like closing the barn door after the horse has escaped. I was a lurker on these threads for several weeks before signing on. After reading many threads and realizing that sometime there might be a very valid reason for not wanting to be really well known out there in cyberspace I chose a nom de plume. I want the ability to speak my mind (staying within the CG limit of Auction Watch) without being trampled on by miscreants, or people whose IQ is closer to their shoe size than is comfortable to deal with. Safeharbor reporting is essential. Stay with a name nowhere near what you use in auctions and don't give out your email on auctionwatch.
Good luck.
posted on January 30, 2001 03:50:28 PM new
notreallyme, is that your name?
Take this garbage to the trust and safety boards in ebay, or go back into the EO here and fend for yourself. Noone here needs the BS that goes with these issues, and noone here would be able to determine whether what you say is true or not, and so would not be able to 'help' you.
And zilvy, or izzy, or whatever, "nom de plume" is easier to type if you just say anonymous coward, don't you think?
posted on January 30, 2001 04:04:21 PM new
notreallyme...I think the most you can do is keep reporting the problem sellers to SafeHarbor and make sure you forward all pertinent e-mails to them as well, complete with headers. Maybe they will get the hint eventually. The only ones who can take any real action are those who are actually defrauded, and they would have to go through whatever legal remedies would be available to them.
I signed up with my eBay ID, but it's one I don't use often anymore. It's not smart to post around here with your eBay ID.
posted on January 30, 2001 05:23:17 PM newKRS notreallyme, is that your name?
Yeah that is my real name and my full name is, notreallyme,dumbass. What do YOU think? du
Take this garbage to the trust and safety boards in ebay, or go back into the EO here and fend for yourself. Noone here needs the BS that goes with these issues, and noone here would be able to determine whether what you say is true or not, and so would not be able to 'help' you.
The reason I am posting here is I am not trying to draw any more attention to this problem because my auctions and others (who have legitimate auctions AND try to make a living on eBay) are being attacked for speaking our minds. Someone is contacting bidders and lying to them about the sellers. I am not asking whether or not anyone is able to determine if what I say is true or not, I am asking for opinions on what can be done about this problem. Also if you are not interested in this “BS”, please don’t read it.
Noone here needs the BS that goes with these issues, and noone here would be able to determine whether what you say is true or not, and so would not be able to 'help' you.
BS? That is your opinion.
KRS, isn't noone easier to spell then NO ONE.
Anonymous coward? I don't see you posting your real name or contact info anywhere. I will remain an "anonymous coward" as long as some jerks, who are seeking to destroy my livelihood and the way I support my family, continue to do what they are doing.
posted on January 30, 2001 05:31:17 PM new
[i]"KRS notreallyme, is that your name?
Yeah that is my real name and my full name is, notreallyme,dumbass. What do YOU think? du"
posted on January 30, 2001 05:31:54 PM newkrs notreallyme posted this thread on my behalf. The statements are true and I will happily forward copies of e-mails received. This thread can not go to EO at this time. I am asking for help (I don't need this BS either!), merely reaching out for some educated input. If you'd like to help, I'm honored. If my request offends you, I apologize, please just ignore this thread and try to have some fun today!
zilvy
Anonymous is the way to go. I have never had to hide my opinions before. Call me a fool, but I had no idea someone would spend the time to e-mail my high bidders! I stand behind my statements, unfortunately, they must be under a different name (or many of them) from this point on!
njrazd
wish I knew about the ID no-no before! thanks
posted on January 30, 2001 05:49:04 PM new
NRM: Are you saying that people who have only posted about the box scam (and whose posting name can be tied to their ebay name) are having their auctions interfered with
OR
Are you saying that people who have been contacting buyers (and whose posting name can be tied to their ebay name) are having their auctions interfered with?
I ask just for my own knowledge. As for what you can do....well, report it to safeharbor (don't forget when forwarding emails to show headers). To be honest, that probably won't do any good.....other than that, I have no advice.
There is a thread in the EO about a seller who had their buyer contacted from someone who didn't have a transaction with the seller saying the item they bought smelled of smoke and cat urine.....the answers there were good. Might try reading that thread for ideas on how to deal with buyers who have been contacted.
posted on January 30, 2001 06:01:41 PM new
Sorry, is it okay to use this id for this thread only? Then I will delete this id and my origional one that I used in the EF and come up with a new one?
posted on January 30, 2001 06:07:58 PM newlotsafuzz
Some sellers, who have AW ID's that are similar to their selling ID, have expressed opinions on the empty box thread in defense of protecting innocent bidders. These sellers, who expressed their views in this forum, are currently experiencing auction interference. High bidders on their auctions have been contacted via the e-mail addresses obtained through eBay. Someone is trying to intimidate newer bidders to prove a point. "Someone" who doesn't give a hoot about ripping off bidders by selling $400 boxes is interfering with Honest sellers auctions claiming "what's good for the goose...". Hope that clarifies it for ya yagoda-do watya goda-do
posted on January 30, 2001 06:11:05 PM newModerator
I have tried to contact AW re: changing my ID ~ no response as of yet.
Thanks for your help & patience!
yagoda-do watya goda-do
[ edited by ZOOMIN on Jan 30, 2001 06:11 PM ]
posted on January 30, 2001 06:46:11 PM new
Zoomin,
Create a posting I.D. ( or keep the one in this thread) and email [email protected] telling us the new I.D. for posting and old I.D.'s that will not be used for posting. We will suspend the posting privileges of the old I.D.'s.
When posting privileges are suspended/revoked, this in no way interferes with any of the other Services at AuctionWatch.com.
We look forward to hearing from you and a few others, and soon.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Joice
Moderator.
*added or ..
[ edited by joice on Jan 30, 2001 07:10 PM ]
posted on January 30, 2001 06:48:40 PM new
This is a special note for the miscreant who posts here and has the IQ to match his/her shoe size by definition: Miscreant...one who acts viciously, are you trying to give us a good interpretation or does Devil's advocate just suit you? Is that your real name?????????
Seems like you are a few fries short of a Happy Meal
posted on January 30, 2001 07:25:55 PM newJoice
Still waiting to hear back from my e-mail of this afternoon regarding the ID change.
notreallyme
Thanks for your time and efforts but this thread is not helping ~ this forum has become a dagger throwing contest. Bummer I know your intentions were good . Much appreciative ~ sorry you took some heat for trying to help me out!
remember
He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
posted on January 30, 2001 07:36:01 PM new
I thought the Round Table was for fun stuff.
notreallyme & zoomin *not really clear on who's having things happen to whom*: You've gotten some really good advice.. turn the emails into Safeharbor. That's about all you can do, besides going to private auctions for the time being. Fortunately/unfortunately (depending on how you look at it ~ people who are either troublesome and/or people who are well intending), when ebay starts their new system for being able to mail buyers/sellers this sort of nonsense will stop.
posted on January 30, 2001 08:16:56 PM new
I DO realize this place is more for funny or personal kind of things, (please see last paragraph for funny) I am sorry if I am intruding here, but the reason I am posting here is because I really do not want any further attention drawn to myself or others who are selling on eBay. AND, I really do not want to get into an eight-page debate on the ethics of box selling.
All I want is some help for a friend who supports her family by selling on eBay and is having her auctions interfered with because of lies being told to her bidders, which in effect is hurting her income. I think by bringing it to EF will draw that much more unwanted attention by the person or persons who are doing this.
To clarify a bit, I am one who is completely and thoroughly appalled by those people who are trying to sell ps 2 boxes for $300-$400 and passing them off as an actual PS 2.
Zilvy
Rosiebud Yup, does look like private is the way to go. Do you know when ebay will implement their new rule regarding email?
chepistar I hope we can keep this post going for a little while longer. There are some great people here who are very knowledgeable, although the advice given has been great!
Thanks all
Okay, ya want a funny thread, Rosie?
My son was in my room going through his baby album and was looking at the ultrasound picture, so I told him that was a picture of him when he was in my tummy. He looked at me and said, "You ate me, hu?" Got milk??"
Well, I thought it was funny.
Grammar edit
[ edited by notreallyme on Jan 30, 2001 08:21 PM ]
posted on January 30, 2001 08:27:26 PM new
If it is that bad and safeharbor won't help. There is little advice to offer. If it were me I suppose I would start over again with a new id.
I never read the threads, so don't know anything about this mess. Please tell me what the box auctions are.
OK, Will try to make sense of it in a more lucid moment. I'm very tired. No lunch at work with new schedule. If I want to get off in time to pick up kids then no lunch. It's that and the paint fumes and the elbow grease at night. I will try to make sense of it and the email tho.
posted on January 30, 2001 09:11:00 PM new
Kel---there have been some auctions on Ebay for empty Playstation 2 boxes--but worded in such a way that unless you were really paying attention to the missing commas--you would think it was an actual Playstation 2 up for auction.
I don't publish my email address or my main eBay ID just for that reason.
yagoda-do watya goda-do