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Made a huge mistake of shill bidding. Need help.
 

I made a huge mistake of shill bidding an item I had for sell on ebay. I've learned my mistake, and intend on never doing this EVER again. However, I'm stuck on what to do. The seller account I have is very old, and was created on a different computer at a different address, and the buyer account i started is on this new computer new address, but I've recently been logging between both accounts, and even had a change password email on the buyer account that showed my recent IP. Also, I updated the seller account info (address, number, etc) to the new address I have, and the buyer address is nearby friends address.

I just need some help. Whats steps do I need to do (change ip, change addresses, etc)?

"shill bidding"

Did you get suspended or just a warning?

If it's a warning, just take the tutorial and keep your nose clean. I think after 6 months to a year it might even drop off the radar. The Alert on your "My Messages" page goes away after a while.

I used to do it all of the time to have the auction creep up to the reserve.

example:
list an item for $9.99 with a $50 reserve and make several bids and stop just short of the reserve so that the next bid puts it over the top. The funny thing is the item could very well sell for $60 or more, but if starting at $50 no one might even put it an opening bid.

I've never done in to make a customer overpay, because with my luck I'd win.

The problem I'm having is I actually won the auction with shill bidding account, so I dont know what to do, make a dispute on my seller account, or cancel the shill bidding account. Its been almost 2 weeks, so is it possible I could do a 2nd chance offer, or something?

file a complaint... buyer never paid , wont respond to emails etc... Then do the second chance offer.

"shill bidding"

So I wouldnt get caught if I did what you said? I actually never sent an email to the shill bidding account. And also, what about the ip address? Do I need to change the ip address before I log into the seller account and file this dispute, and do I need to log in at another computer or change the ip address to cancel the shill bidding account? I had shill bidded on about 3 other auctions on that account, and I wanted to cancel that account before I file the dispute.

I was wondering if anyone can answer my last post. Thanks

Bottom line is...don't shill bid.

I wont do it anymore. I just needed some help on what exactly to do. I want to cancel the account I've been shill bidding with, and keep my seller account. Do I need to change my ip address and log into the shill bidding account and cancel the account, or log into the seller account and change my ip b4 i log into that and file a dispute?

it depends why you got caught, do you know?was it flash objects, cookies, ip? then we can advise from there...

if you have been logging in both accounts and shill bidding previously under the same ip address and user account then both accounts are basically doomed. I would make sure you keep your paypal cleaned out and have backups ready, you never know with paypal.

What if i change my ip and cancel the shill bidding account?

I would change you ip address and log back in, then just log out. I wouldn't cancel it but I would just stop using it and move on to another account. If you leave it inactive for awhile it may be ok. Just make sure there is no credit card or bank account linked that ebay/paypal can charge.

see i won the item i shill bidded on.

so would i do these steps in order:

- change ip and log in shill bidding account, and log out
- change ip again and log into seller account, and file dispute against shill bidding account, and ask for a second chance offer.

correct but why would you file a dispute against yourself? lol Just send the 2nd chance offer to the person that bidded below you.

So let me get this straight:

- change ip and log in shill bidding account, and log out
- change ip again and log into seller account

then how do I exactly do a 2nd chance offer? The bid happened about 2 weeks ago, so do i need to address anything to ebay, or tell the next in line bidder I never recieved payment and do they want to win the auction?

It sounds like you need to purchase and read the stealth book. I would do so if you have not already and read it 3-5 times b/c you WILL miss something everytime you read it. Worked wonders for me.

If your auction ended over 2 weeks ago, I doubt anyone will buy your item on 2nd chance at this point. The 2nd chance thing is usually only good right after the item ends. They have probably already found another seller by now. I would just let this one go and take it as a lessons learned. But hey, you can still try, its free!!!

You do not need to explain anything to ebay. eBay doesn't care if no one pays for your item, so a dispute is pointless. They still get their money b/c it sold and you have to pay the selling fees.

So is there a way I can mark the item as paid on the buyer and seller side, or can i shut the shill bidding account?

-Do the ip change process
- Pay for the seller fees

I will also take a look at the book you mentioned.

agreed %100......I think this will be the best way out

Now I had a question, I 2nd chanced the item, and it didnt sell, what could I do? Should I mark the items as shipped, and paid on the buyer end, and just pay the fees, or would I have to pay double the fees if I re-list it?

anyone could help?

Do a mutual cancellation on the item and never shill bid again. Not only will you most likely get caught, but your screwing over people. Set a reserve if you dont want to let something go at X price, or start the starting bid at the least amount you'd take for it.

You can always just never pay it either and let it fall off. Take the eBay fees as a lesson learned.