[AT] Shill bidding

[Carl Tatlock]

You notice that this seller does not own any of the things he is 
selling.  He is a drop shop- and does business only as a lister for 
anyone who wants to sell something on eBay and doesn't want to do the 
work of listing it themselves.   They work on commission, and just 
simply offer a service.  The bidders?  Friends, family?  People who 
listed thir own stuff trying to bid it up?  People who buy cheap and 
relist later?    There are a number of these commission listers now-- 
most are legitimate.  You take your item (the starting crank for Jack 
Benny"s Maxwell, with Rochester's glove still attached, for example) 
tell them what you want for it, they list it and do all the paperwork, 
take a commission, and your transaction on eBay is complete. 

They have no store for Farmer to visit-- and they don't own the stuff 
they list.  A lot of it (capri pants!) looks like flea market stuff, 
true.   The idea is a good one from the point of view of offering a 
service, if the agent is honest-- just like the rest of business world 
(Ooops- forgot about Enron).   Caveat Emptor-- Buyer beware......    
eBayware