Cancelling bids on eBay from a suspicious bidder? Some advice much appreciated!

[StevenJGore]

Hi,

I currently have a high-value Amiga-related auction on eBay, and the current highest bidder has zero feedback. Not that I mind buyers with zero feedback, everyone has to start somewhere! But whilst browsing other Amiga eBay auctions today, I came across an auction for a near-indentical high-value Amiga item, and noticed that the current highest bidder is the same person as for my auction!!! The two auctions finish two days apart, and I'm almost certain that the bidder intends to try and win both auctions and then just pay for the cheapest (or am I just paranoid?!). So do I:

1. Wait and see what happens (risky!)
2. Add the bidder to my blocked bidders list to prevent them bidding again if they are outbid (they could still protentially win, since I've no idea what their maximum bid is)
3. Cancel the persons bids and add the bidder to my blocked bidders list (hopefully eliminating the risk)?

I believe all of the above are within eBay policy.

Any advice or comments appreciated!
Has anybody had similar experiences on eBay?

Steve.

[that_punk_guy]

You could talk to the bidder themselves about it. There's no reason there has to be such a taboo about that.

[mikeymike]

Surely there's no problem for you, considering they have to send you the money before you send whatever you're selling...?

[StevenJGore]

You could talk to the bidder themselves about it. There's no reason there has to be such a taboo about that

I have done, and they're not replied.

Surely there's no problem for you, considering they have to send you the money before you send whatever you're selling...?

True, but it's a pain to have to relist it and get eBay to refund the final value fee (or whatever it's called).

[that_punk_guy]

StevenJGore wrote:
I have done, and they're not replied.

Ah, in that case it's dead simple. E-mail again asking that they reply, and say that otherwise you'll have to cancel their bid to protect your interests.

[slippymadfrog]

1. Wait and see what happens

99 out of 100 times you will be fine.

[redrumloa]

I pretty much just wait to see what happens, and yeah I sure do get burned now and then. However with eBay's policies in place you can at least get your fees recovered if the buyer does not follow through.

However you stated you emailed him and he didn't reply? That's suspicious. Tough call, though Id probably just wait it out.

[Cyberus]

It IS bloddy annoying when buyers don't pay up...but there's always the second chance offer option. But you're right, its a lot of needless hassle going through all the non-paying bidder malarkey. Fingers crossed is all I can suggest....