Price Gouging Auction

[holsteinatlanta]

I have a question about price gouging.  I have an item that I listed as a 3 day auction.  I think the retail price is say $29.99 before covid.  I listed it at $39.99 three day auction.  Well it got bid up to $81!  So there are losing bids of $80, $75, $70.  Now I wouldn't ordinary list this item at 80 and never expected it to go this high or get bids at all.  So what is price gouging?  The bidder ran the price up 

Now it turns out I have 12  more of the item.  I offered it to the winning bidder for $81 each, then told him that the next lowest bid is $75 so he can have 12 more at $75 each.  (Is that gouging) btw my item is a package of 12 other sellers have just one for $20  and getting it. That may  be gouging. 

Please tell me how to proceed.  Do you thing the ebay support reps can answer the question or will the lange barrier be a problem

[holsteinatlanta]

I got them from an unpaid storage unit. Should I try to find that person and ask why he was storing them?

I listing them at auction on the same day I acquired them.  Some of you guys always jump to your own conclusions that I bought them to resell at a huge profit without  even  asking where they came from.

I got my answer from contacting ebay.  

[coolections]

@per50nl_5LOL, not sure why this post would be an accepted solution. If you want to purchase for hundreds and let others go without that's on you. At least Ebay is not going to allow such unethical things to happen here. Kudos to Ebay for removing all these items as they show up. Keep up the good work.

[mesodude]

I just find it comical how some people here are twisting themselves into knots desperately rationalizing selling a product to the highest bidder. It’s really quite remarkable.  Just because someone is willing to buy something for an exponentially higher price than it normally would cost doesn’t change the fact that the seller is making an obscene amount of money on a necessity that is only in higher demand due to a health crisis. That’s price-gouging. The specific reason why there is a shortage is IRRELEVANT. There is no meaningful difference between selling an obscenely priced item outright and auctioning an item whose winning bid is an obscene amount.  If you don’t have enough money to outbid me on an item that we could both equally afford if there weren’t a health crisis, then you are a victim of price-gouging. This is not complicated.

[per50nl_5]

Jealousy

[per50nl_5]

They're going about their business. Making money and procuring items they want. You don't control them.

[mesodude]

"They're going about their business. Making money and procuring items they want. You don't control them."

Thanks for sharing...well, whatever that was...but unfortunately for you, nothing you wrote changes the law or the FACTS. What I control is irrelevant. This isn't about me. This is about eBay taking action to stop greedy and sleazy individuals without morals or a conscience from trying to exploit a pandemic. It is my great pleasure and civic duty to report disgusting, soulless behavior that's against the law. I'm so very sorry if this frustrates and upsets you, as it clearly has. 

[coolections]

@per50nl_5 

Not jealous at all and in fact I feel sorry for you. Fortunately there are laws against such unethical practices. and Ebay won't allow it.

[soh.maryl]

Care to share that answer with the rest of the class?  

[muttlymob]

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@per50nl_5 wrote:

I don't know how anyone can figure an auction as price gouging.

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It's not how the item got to its selling price that matters.  It's what the selling price is.  The amount of money that actually changes hands.  Laws against price gouging don't care whether the seller ran it as an auction or set a fixed price.  Because it is only the cash that passes from buyer to seller that counts.

[per50nl_5]

Some of you people should try North Korea.

[per50nl_5]

I feel sorry for you

[per50nl_5]

Mayberry needs a deputy...you should apply. haha

[mesodude]

“I feel sorry for you.”

Why? Because I have a conscience and I believe people who would exploit the sickness of millions and the deaths of tens of thousands of people all over the world for profit are morally bankrupt criminals? 

[dealwix]

Had the Same problem. Listed TP for $.01 and it is Bid up to $26.00 and i get charged with Price Gouging. I only changed $15.00 for shipping. And the shipping price is not enough to mail Bulky TP across the nation. Plus, eBay is trying to charge me $1.00.   Does anyone have a solution?

[dealwix]

That is complete **bleep**. I had an item (toilet paper) listed for a penny, and I am a price gouger?