Shilling

[chrisbrou0]

is it unethical for me to see a product I want, make an offer for it, and have my friend make a lower offer?

[fab_finds4u]

Trying to manipulate is not allowed. 

[bonjourami]

Thats not shilling.

[gracieallen01]

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@chrisbrou0 wrote:

is it unethical for me to see a product I want, make an offer for it, and have my friend make a lower offer?

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Yes.

[letsm8633]

Yes. Be honest, make YOUR offer and don't play games with the seller

[luckythewinner]

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@chrisbrou0 wrote:

is it unethical for me to see a product I want, make an offer for it, and have my friend make a lower offer?

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I assume the goal of this would be to make your offer seem more attractive to the seller in comparison, and maybe that will nudge him to accept your offer?

a)  That is not "shilling".

b)  That is not illegal (provided your friend is committed to paying if his offer is accepted)

c) IMHO it is not unethical.

In addition, I think if you were to substitute "used car dealer" for "eBay seller" I doubt anyone here would find this practice unethical either 🙂

[coolections]

Why would you not do the right thing and make your offer. When your offer is turned down make a lower offer instead of your friend ? I think it is not only unethical but, ....……...... ….........… …..........….. insert your own words here .

[letsm8633]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

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@chrisbrou0 wrote:

is it unethical for me to see a product I want, make an offer for it, and have my friend make a lower offer?

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I assume the goal of this would be to make your offer seem more attractive to the seller in comparison, and maybe that will nudge him to accept your offer?

a)  That is not "shilling".

b)  That is not illegal (provided your friend is committed to paying if his offer is accepted)

c) IMHO it is not unethical.

In addition, I think if you were to substitute "used car dealer" for "eBay seller" I doubt anyone here would find this practice unethical either 🙂

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That's like comparing apples to oranges. Anyway you hack it the Op is wanting to play games rather than just make their offer. It's dirty and underhanded.

[hawkwind5454]

I don't know about "unethical", but it WOULD be comical.... if you retracted your bid, and your friend won the item.

[reallynicestamps]

It seems pointless.

You would be making the offers on Fixed Price items, which the seller will have up for a month and which will relist month after month if it does not sell.  The cost of that relist is anywhere from nothing to 35 cents, and no labour. 

If he doesn't like your offer, or your "friend's" offer, there is no compelling reason to accept either. He can say no or ignore both of you. He can even Block you as a buyer if he is insulted by a ridiculously low Offer.

[7606dennis]

Yes, it would be not only unethical, but may also be illegal.

[7606dennis]

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@bonjourami wrote:

Thats not shilling.

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You are correct.  It is not shilling.

[7606dennis]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

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@chrisbrou0 wrote:

is it unethical for me to see a product I want, make an offer for it, and have my friend make a lower offer?

---

I assume the goal of this would be to make your offer seem more attractive to the seller in comparison, and maybe that will nudge him to accept your offer?

a)  That is not "shilling".

b)  That is not illegal (provided your friend is committed to paying if his offer is accepted)

c) IMHO it is not unethical.

In addition, I think if you were to substitute "used car dealer" for "eBay seller" I doubt anyone here would find this practice unethical either 🙂

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You are correct in a)

I'm not sure that you are in b) & c) though.  Legality would depend upon the laws of the state that the seller is in and as far as ethics goes, it wouldn't pass the ethical codes of the associations I belong to.

[7606dennis]

By offer are you talking about a bid being placed? 

While it wouldn't fit the definition of shilling, it could fall under bid shielding which is criminal as well.