16 May
1999
16 May
'99
6:14 a.m.
[John Lawson recounted an Ebay scam that I've deleted for brevity.]
This may or may not be a scam. At least two (and like cockroaches if you
see two you know there are really dozens) surplus electronic shop owners
use Ebay as follows.
o Follow the auctions that people are holding for stuff they
have.
o When the auction finishes offer their own stuff to
the second through - 'n' bidders (depending on qty
and price)
For the surplus seller this has two benefits, 1) they don't have to hold
an auction and 2) they don't have to pay ebay fees. Since often times
Ebay items sell for more than they have these things listed for in their
shops its a good deal for them.
Of course the scam might work as well but only if the seller didn't have
and ebay handle that was either their email address or similar to their
real name.
--Chuck