HUUuuu ... uuuGe ebay estate sale

[IRONROOSTER]

Yep, you caught us. Me and MABruce and Elvis and Jimmy Hoffa and Dick Cheney. We're all manipulating this auction as part of the Trilateral Commission's plan for world domination through bogus eBay auctions.

Ahhhhh, so that's what all the secret meetings in the VP's office were all about.  I think we need a Congressional investigation!

Enjoy

Paul 

[fwright]

IMHO, the article wasn't out of date or inaccurate.  There are still a lot of unethical and/or fraudulent auctions, sellers, and buyers on eBay.  You hear or read about them every day - and those are just the ones that get caught.  And I have personally seen the abuse of the feedback system - sellers requiring positive feedback from me as a buyer first or they will give me negative feedback.  I suspect shill bidding has been used against me when I used the eBay proxy/maximum bid system.  Funny how they will run up the bidding early to test my maximum, but then drop out of the auction.  Buyers are often forced into sniping as a defense, even though that requires a time commitment I am often unwilling to make.

The good news is that fraud and unethical practices appear to be far less prevalent in the model railroad auctions than in other areas of eBay.  And because eBay is one of the easier ways for me to purchase out-of-production train items, and sell no longer wanted train items, I continue to be an eBay user.  I can't say I particularly enjoy the experience, though.

just my thoughts and opinions, yours may vary

Fred W

[vsmith]

Yep, you caught us. Me and MABruce and Elvis and Jimmy Hoffa and Dick Cheney. We're all manipulating this auction as part of the Trilateral Commission's plan for world domination through bogus eBay auctions.

Hmmm......Tyco-gate?

[alco_fan]

Yep, you caught us. Me and MABruce and Elvis and Jimmy Hoffa and Dick Cheney. We're all manipulating this auction as part of the Trilateral Commission's plan for world domination through bogus eBay auctions.

[SteamFreak]

Anyone notice that alot of the boxs were filled with train mags, we all know how valuable they are :)

That occurred to me as well. They may also account for the majority of the weight.  

[MAbruce]

I also think this auction wreaks of foul play, or "shadiness" in steamfreaks words.

It makes me wonder what, if any personal motives you have regarding this auction.

  As an N-scale modeler? 

I personally think the auction is a risky venture mainly from the standpoint that there is not enough documentation (other than the pictures and a general description) of exactly what is up for auction.  The seller has a good feedback rating, and has been up front about not being about to offer an inventory, so I really don't think there is much evidence of a ‘shady' auction going on.

However, the "eBay is evil" mantra is getting old.  People don't have to like it, but I think making absurd unsupported generalizations about it is out of line.

 

[rrebell]

Anyone notice that alot of the boxs were filled with train mags, we all know how valuable they are :)

[SteamFreak]

Here's an pertinent article, even it's a bit out-of-date.

Sorry, by definition in Internet business an article over 6 years old is not pertinent. EBay isn't perfect, but there are a number of safeguards that have been added since November of 2000.

In any case, I don't see how it applies to this situation. I guess you're suggesting that there is shill bidding going on. More than likely it's just delusional greed by buyers who think they will make a killing reselling this mess.

Yes, business and technology change, but human nature is a constant, as this shady auction testifies.

Shady?  Unless you have proof that this is the case, I'd advise that you re-qualify that statement as a matter of your opinion.  If you do have proof, perhaps you should notify eBay instead of ranting on about it here?

 The fact that everything mentioned in a seven year-old article is still germane today only provides further evidence that eBay can't or won't reign in such behavior. 

You are making a slanderous generalization without any proof.  How has eBay demonstrated that it is not working to ‘reign in such behavior'?  And how does a hopelessly out of date article ‘provide further evidence' of this?   

If you don't like eBay, fine.  If you think the bidding on this auction is out of control, fine.   I can respect that.  What I can't respect are ridiculous statements like this that cross the line.

I also think this auction wreaks of foul play, or "shadiness" in steamfreaks words.

It makes me wonder what, if any personal motives you have regarding this auction.

Yes, there is a sudden and curious defense of this auction, despite the fact that I've said nothing new. Clearly my statements are my opinion, and that opinion is apparently shared by many here who have been making similar assertions of dishonesty and shill bidding in this auction since this thread began, yet you single me out. I had no idea my opinions carried such weight, but thanks for the compliment.

[Driline]

Yes, business and technology change, but human nature is a constant, as this shady auction testifies.

Dang! You should be making a killing in the stock market instead of wasting time on train boards. 

Like YOUR post?

[Driline]

Here's an pertinent article, even it's a bit out-of-date.

Sorry, by definition in Internet business an article over 6 years old is not pertinent. EBay isn't perfect, but there are a number of safeguards that have been added since November of 2000.

In any case, I don't see how it applies to this situation. I guess you're suggesting that there is shill bidding going on. More than likely it's just delusional greed by buyers who think they will make a killing reselling this mess.

Yes, business and technology change, but human nature is a constant, as this shady auction testifies.

Shady?  Unless you have proof that this is the case, I'd advise that you re-qualify that statement as a matter of your opinion.  If you do have proof, perhaps you should notify eBay instead of ranting on about it here?

 The fact that everything mentioned in a seven year-old article is still germane today only provides further evidence that eBay can't or won't reign in such behavior. 

You are making a slanderous generalization without any proof.  How has eBay demonstrated that it is not working to ‘reign in such behavior'?  And how does a hopelessly out of date article ‘provide further evidence' of this?   

If you don't like eBay, fine.  If you think the bidding on this auction is out of control, fine.   I can respect that.  What I can't respect are ridiculous statements like this that cross the line.

I also think this auction wreaks of foul play, or "shadiness" in steamfreaks words.

It makes me wonder what, if any personal motives you have regarding this auction.

 

[alco_fan]

Yes, business and technology change, but human nature is a constant, as this shady auction testifies.

And you know this is a "shady auction" because of your powers of ESP?

Dang! You should be making a killing in the stock market instead of wasting time on train boards. 

[MAbruce]

Here's an pertinent article, even it's a bit out-of-date.

Sorry, by definition in Internet business an article over 6 years old is not pertinent. EBay isn't perfect, but there are a number of safeguards that have been added since November of 2000.

In any case, I don't see how it applies to this situation. I guess you're suggesting that there is shill bidding going on. More than likely it's just delusional greed by buyers who think they will make a killing reselling this mess.

Yes, business and technology change, but human nature is a constant, as this shady auction testifies.

Shady?  Unless you have proof that this is the case, I'd advise that you re-qualify that statement as a matter of your opinion.  If you do have proof, perhaps you should notify eBay instead of ranting on about it here?

 The fact that everything mentioned in a seven year-old article is still germane today only provides further evidence that eBay can't or won't reign in such behavior. 

You are making a slanderous generalization without any proof.  How has eBay demonstrated that it is not working to ‘reign in such behavior'?  And how does a hopelessly out of date article ‘provide further evidence' of this?   

If you don't like eBay, fine.  If you think the bidding on this auction is out of control, fine.   I can respect that.  What I can't respect are ridiculous statements like this that cross the line.

[SteamFreak]

Here's an pertinent article, even it's a bit out-of-date.

Sorry, by definition in Internet business an article over 6 years old is not pertinent. EBay isn't perfect, but there are a number of safeguards that have been added since November of 2000.

In any case, I don't see how it applies to this situation. I guess you're suggesting that there is shill bidding going on. More than likely it's just delusional greed by buyers who think they will make a killing reselling this mess.

Yes, business and technology change, but human nature is a constant, as this shady auction testifies. The fact that everything mentioned in a seven year-old article is still germane today only provides further evidence that eBay can't or won't reign in such behavior. 

[snagletooth]

Well we 'hit' the reserve, interesting.

I can't wait for all that AHM and Tyco stuff. Long live Tyco, rubber tires and all. A-H-M, A-H-M!  I'm putting it all next to my Tyco trainset still in the wrapper and my Lionel empty box!

[PFS]

Well we 'hit' the reserve, interesting.

[PFS]

I am actually very pro ebay and auctions in general. I was employed in the industry and am 'not afraid' of the process etc.  eBay and other sites are a great place to buy and sell. But as the saying goes 'let the buyer beware'.

I do agree that most folks on RR fourms seem to be 'scared'/negative of on-line auctions, which is fine. There is risk to any purchase on-line or otherwise, it is best for most to stay within their comfort zone, as well as something to be said when buying something you havent seen 'with your own eyes'.

There are people that operate in a 'non-truthful'/unscruplus manner via auctions, this thread is perhaps now about one of them. Bringing things to light, talking about the process may help others.....along with feeding our morbid fasciniation(s) ;)

</2cents>

[csmith9474]

Why this morbid fascination with what shows up on ebay? Most of the posts in any thread about an ebay auction are pretty negative. If most folks don't like what's on ebay, why waste so much effort on it?

Becuase some of us are morbidly fascinated by it. You posted on this thread. Why did you waste your time with it?

[Pruitt]

Why this morbid fascination with what shows up on ebay? Most of the posts in any thread about an ebay auction are pretty negative. If most folks don't like what's on ebay, why waste so much effort on it?

[snagletooth]

 To bad you can't reverse bid. Start bidding lower and lower until they finally say when.  See how little they're willing to take.

[loathar]

I bought it on EEEEEEEEEE-Scammmmmmmm!!!

[LD357]

I , too, am suspicious of the sudden stall in bidding,  just short of the ''reserve price''. The fact that the bidders ID's are private is a red flag for me on an auction of this type , why conceal the names? If you're running an honest auction theres no need for a private bidders list......only thing i can see that you'd need it for is a bunch of shill bids.

 I stopped by my LHS today and in the course of the BS'ing and tall tales, the subject of this very auction came up, the concensus was that the current price was about $3k too much!   I said if I had $500 or $600 to blow I might spend it on a lot like that, the owner of the shop said ''come here a second and look at this''....in his back room he had several boxes of TYCO and old Athearn stuff......in pieces, in chunks,in sandwich bags......he said ''I'll bet you 90% of that stuff will look like this when he buyer picks it up''. He has a good point.....the pics are lousy, the fact that it came from ''a cluttered basement'', and the obvious lack of knowledge or care demonstrated by the seller makes me wonder what the buyer is going to be paying for....usuable railroad equipment or piles of styrene and metal.

[csmith9474]

Here's an pertinent article, even it's a bit out-of-date.

Sorry, by definition in Internet business an article over 6 years old is not pertinent. EBay isn't perfect, but there are a number of safeguards that have been added since November of 2000.

In any case, I don't see how it applies to this situation. I guess you're suggesting that there is shill bidding going on. More than likely it's just delusional greed by buyers who think they will make a killing reselling this mess.

If these bidders are so greedy and want this mess so bad, why don't they cough up the $8 and change needed to win the auction?

[Midnight Railroader]

Shill bidding only works so well...

[Anonymous]

So much for the feverish bidding.

This whole auction suddenly extrudes an oder not unlike that of a rotting fish in humid and hot weather.

[alco_fan]

Here's an pertinent article, even it's a bit out-of-date.

Sorry, by definition in Internet business an article over 6 years old is not pertinent. EBay isn't perfect, but there are a number of safeguards that have been added since November of 2000.

In any case, I don't see how it applies to this situation. I guess you're suggesting that there is shill bidding going on. More than likely it's just delusional greed by buyers who think they will make a killing reselling this mess.

[SteamFreak]

Here's an pertinent article, even it's a bit out-of-date.

Forbes.com: Sleaze Bay

[dansapo]

Egads...Some people its buy anything on QVC.This guy  it was trains,who knows the back story but its time to get a 30 yard dumpster.IMPOH junk.Somebody's trash is somebody's treasure.Good luck to the bidders ops suckers

[IRONROOSTER]

If this pile of low end trains, tossed in boxes sells (to a real buyer); then I need to scour the local thrift stores for some stuff to sell on ebay.

Enjoy

Paul 

[steamnut]

Quite amazing to me that at nearly $3,700 the reserve price for this pile of toy trains has not been met. Yet another example of a seller who knows nothing about model railroading, confusing quantity and quality. Given all the issues, I myself would be more than happy to get $1,000 for this pile of stuff on what is basically a sight-unseen basis. Of course, I'm also highly skeptical that the current bid is real; I, personally, am very suspicious of E-Bay auctions in which bidders' IDs are kept anonymous, and its hard for me to see any genuine bidder thinking that this stuff would be collectively worth anything more than $1,000 plus the shipping / transport costs / hassles.

[steamnut]

Quite amazing to me that at nearly $3,700 the reserve price for this pile of toy trains has not been met. Yet another example of a seller who knows nothing about model railroading, confusing quantity and quality. Given all the issues, I myself would be more than happy to get $1,000 for this pile of stuff on what is basically a sight-unseen basis. Of course, I'm also highly skeptical that the current bid is real; I, personally, am very suspicious of E-Bay auctions in which bidders' IDs are kept anonymous, and its hard for me to see anybody thinking that this stuff is collectively worth over $1,000 plus the shipping / transport costs / hassles.