Current Events > Anyone know a bit about eBay?

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I collect poker/casino chips and have been using eBay for the last few months. I understand generally how it works but the following issue came up last night that Im trying to make sense of or learn from.

There was a seller that does a lot of business on eBay who had a whole bunch of auctions ending last night. Usually when you buy single casino chips they will charge shipping on a total order if you get a few singles at, or around, the same time. This guys shop didnt say that. I contacted him Saturday and told him I was interested in three specific chips (maybe mistake?) that closed within five minutes of each other and I asked if he would ship them all for one price if I won the bids - he said sure.

Last night, chip A was listed for $9. I bid $13.50 (about $2 over the value of the chip) with 30 seconds left (was winning the bid at 9.50) but was out bid at the last second and the chip sold for $14.

Chip B, which the seller also knew I was interested in had a very similar thing happen where I had a bid in for higher than the value of the chip but was outbid with a second left. This chip was more obscure and I was the only bidder the whole time until the last second.

I looked today and based on the bid history the winning bidder seemed to be the same person. Im ok losing at the last second. I generally just put my max in towards the end and hope for the best. However, Im starting to think the seller had someone make a high bid, knowing that I was interested in these two chips to try to gauge me.

Both of these chips sold for way more than what they are probably really worth. Neither of them are popular or coveted chips. They are both from small poker rooms that arent very well known. Of all of sellers auctions ending around that time that I was buying (I bought five other chips) these were the only two that I lost like this and they were the only ones he knew I was interested in that I actually bid on.

1. If Im right is there anything eBay will do? (I really wanted chip A).
2.I saved the sellers name and plan to see if he relists the chip. What do I do then?
3. Im already wasting too much time on this, is there any reason to put any effort into proving this?

whitelytning posted...

However, Im starting to think the seller had someone make a high bid, knowing that I was interested in these two chips to try to gauge me.

I've used eBay for more than a decade. It could be anything if you can't prove it. Joybidders, a legitimate auction sniper, or even what you said.

You got sniped buddy. Sorry.