Who won the 44 Maple Leaf on Ebay?

[Dan R Porter]

How sad it is so common there is a name for it.

[Chas]

It's called "Shill Bidding." Ebay is actually pretty good at picking up on it. If they're caught they get the boot.

How sad it is so common there is a name for it.

I was an eBay retailer for some time and have experienced shill bidding first hand. Shill bidding is against the law in most countries where auctions are allowed. If eBay catches you, there is a ban of at least 7 days and a very long and protracted 'getting back into eBay's good books' procedure. They believe that anyone can be stupid once. A second offense triggers an automatic report to the police or equivalent in the relevant country.

Strictly speaking, if you have a lot for sale and a tenant of yours or an employee of yours or anyone with whom you are currently in a business transaction with bids, you are both guilty of shill bidding. How they would ever find out, I have no idea.

Regards

Chas