Will this get me into trouble with eBid?

[TiasTreasures]

I want to test how something is processed on eBid, but I need to buy an item to do it. I have a very low-priced stamp set up to run the test, and I don't mind paying eBid the FVF.

It's a fixed price item, so I don't think this should be considered shilling. It isn't pushing someone else to bid more, and I won't leave feedback as a seller or a buyer (that would look rather silly).

However, looking at some of the old threads and eBid's rules, I'm afraid to try it. Does anyone know if I can do this, or will I get banned from eBid? Is there any way for a seller to make a test purchase of one of their own items?

[suesjools]

Not sure, it doesn't sound bad to me, but you might want to ask support first.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[whyteangels66]

I want to test how something is processed on eBid, but I need to buy an item to do it. I have a very low-priced stamp set up to run the test, and I don't mind paying eBid the FVF.

It's a fixed price item, so I don't think this should be considered shilling. It isn't pushing someone else to bid more, and I won't leave feedback as a seller or a buyer (that would look rather silly).

However, looking at some of the old threads and eBid's rules, I'm afraid to try it. Does anyone know if I can do this, or will I get banned from eBid? Is there any way for a seller to make a test purchase of one of their own items?

yes you will I got a friend who lives far away to leave ebay & move her auctions to ebid. She didnt know if she had her check out set up correctly so I purchased something of hers & she was suspended for shilling. Granted she had to contact ebid & explain & then suspension was lifted but she had to promise never to do it again. Even though everything was accually paid through paypal & she shipped the item it did not matter. Ebid states none of your friends can buy from you or relatives no matter how far away they live. So dont do it.

[MPS16]

... Ebid states none of your friends can buy from you or relatives no matter how far away they live. So dont do it.

Really, I have to look into this.

All my items are Buy It Now, so what would the problem be ?

[moonwitch]

Really, I have to look into this.

All my items are Buy It Now, so what would the problem be ?

I never knew that either...does seem a bit draconian...I mean...I have family in Australia and I wouldn't have thought there would be anything wrong with them buying UK stuff from me.

I regularly sell to family off-line...why would there be a problem on-line if it was a BIN listing...it's not like anyone can be schilling if there are no bids.

[TiasTreasures]

yes you will I got a friend who lives far away to leave ebay & move her auctions to ebid. She didnt know if she had her check out set up correctly so I purchased something of hers & she was suspended for shilling. Granted she had to contact ebid & explain & then suspension was lifted but she had to promise never to do it again. Even though everything was accually paid through paypal & she shipped the item it did not matter. Ebid states none of your friends can buy from you or relatives no matter how far away they live. So dont do it.

How on earth do they know if someone is a FRIEND? And does that mean anyone in the world with my last name is considered to be my RELATIVE?

[bykimbo]

yep thats the way it is anything to slow sales down

I think if you only have the usual one account you will not be able to buy from yourself. If you wish to do so across (rare) multiple accounts you can do so if you ask permission to conduct a test first. Buy Now makes no significant difference, since it's not just about shilling but also cheating the buddy points system and faking feedback.

[ropegg]

How on earth do they know if someone is a FRIEND? And does that mean anyone in the world with my last name is considered to be my RELATIVE?

Hi Tias Treasures,

From my experience you do not want to do it. But I am NOT one of your FRIENDS or RELATIVES so if you will PM me the listing ID I will make the purchase and then as I used to do when it was a charity item you can do as you would like with the item. I will pay through Paypal if ok with you.

[Gothicina]

eBid count it as shill bidding if it's sold to a family member, doesn't matter if it's an auction or BuyNow.
You cannot even do so for Charity Auctions.
That is why I have my families accounts & my second one on my signature
my family are all Blackballed by me, & me by them to save any problems.

I'm not sure exactly how it works, but if there is account interaction by 2 members ie somebody logs into their account from your PC, then you cannot buy from that person, the account suspension in that case is automatic.

[startthebiddinglow]

I'm not sure exactly how it works, but if there is account interaction by 2 members ie somebody logs into their account from your PC, then you cannot buy from that person, the account suspension in that case is automatic.

But what if you use a shared computer?
I sometimes go to another (bigger) town to log in to my account - it seems implausible that no other ebidder would ever go to that public computer and use it.