Really odd message

[ginseng2]

A little context; I'm selling something right now that's popular for only about a fraction of a profit that most people are selling it (but let's be honest they are overcharging like no one's business). 

I woke up and received this message today in my Ebay inbox: 

Hello my friend, we and other sellers agreed to keep the price of this item on $470, do you agree? we listed the item like that with shipping included, that way we all will sell it with a good price and we all will have someone who purchase the item. 🙂

Please let me know if you will change yours, thank you very much.

Seriously, what? I'm both ticked off and amused. Plus this seems like it might be against eBay TOS. Not sure if I should reply, ignore, or report but either way I wanted to share this extremely odd message.

[heyyoufoundit]

I'd ignore it.  Once you sell it, (if you only have one) they'll have no reason to mess with you. 

Or, if yours is such a great deal, they could buy from you to resell.

[7606dennis]

So whoever sent the message is admitting that they are violating the price fixing prohibition of the Sherman Anti Trust Act and want you you to agree to join them in this criminal activity.  Interesting.  I'd probably avoid contacting them as much as possible.

[abfabvintage]

@ginseng2 

Hi, I do not work for ebay lolol. If you get any more, send your information to the following thread set up to convince ebay to replace the Report Button. That is where the Blues are collecting the information.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Reply-Re-Removal-of-Report-Button-from-eBay-Messages/m-p/29921...

[abfabvintage]

@ginseng2 

Forgot to add: I already add your thread to the mix. 

[18704d]

I would block all sellers who are selling that item, at that price.

imo

Lynn

[ginseng2]

I thought it was against TOS to do such a thing because it seems like it would be, and I have no intention of going along with their little pricing cult -- but because sometimes I'm a little catty I wanted to reply "If you message me again I'll lower it more". A total lie but still. I'll just won't respond to them at all though.

[pburn]

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@ginseng2 wrote:

Not sure if I should reply, ignore, or report but either way I wanted to share this extremely odd message.

---

(Full disclosure: This is a copy/paste of my post on several other threads.)

Another member has asked anyone who has received inappropriate messages via the eBay message system to copy/paste them in his/her thread for the eBay team to take a look at.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Reply-Re-Removal-of-Report-Button-from-eBay-Messages/m-p/29915...

S/he's trying to encourage the return of the "report" button on eBay messages in order to report messages like this.

[dentalsales4u]

I received a message about 1 1/2 weeks ago from a competitor regarding what my prices are on my other buying ID. On my other ID we sell new old stock, open box or demo/used products.

"Why would you sell this product $89.00 over cost. People like you screw the market place up. 6.5% above cost. and I see your other products are like that also. I think i need to say something to XXX. This is a joke."

[7606dennis]

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@ginseng2 wrote:
I thought it was against TOS to do such a thing because it seems like it would be, and I have no intention of going along with their little pricing cult -- but because sometimes I'm a little catty I wanted to reply "If you message me again I'll lower it more". A total lie but still. I'll just won't respond to them at all though.

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If I remember correctly, the penalty for violating federal price fixing law under the Act is a fine of $250.000, five years in prison or both per occurrence.  Of course, I'm not sure of that.  However, I believe it is quite severe.

Frankly, I'm not sure of eBay's policy regarding price fixing but I doubt if they would condone the commission of a federal felony.

[yuncreations]

WHy remove the report button? And replace with what?

[abfabvintage]

@yuncreations 

Not sure re: your question? Trying to reinstate the ebay messaging Report button. No replace. Just put it back. It worked (I think) but again, we never know anytime we report anything like "report buyer." lololol. Even if it is just a psychological fix that at least you reported the bad behavior or whatever. Hope is eternal. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

Let them know what they are doing is illegal. Tell them that you can price any item at any price. Ask them not to email you again or you have NO CHOICE but to call ebay and read your emails. Put them on your block buyer list.

[bsarafian]

Maybe it's just me but the way the message was phrased made me instantly think of one of those scam "Nigerian Prince" messages.  

[ginseng2]

I know I said I would not message them back but I hate the idea of not saying at least one thing. I really want to let them know they haven't messaged someone gullible/criminal. I'll take your advice and message them pretty much what you suggested.