Selling something that you don't own

[bafa_57]

Hello While doing some research I came across something that I am bidding on on an auction site and so far I am the only bidder and my highest bid so far is $ 10.00. I was surprised that someone already has the items for sale on eBay and is asking for $ 14,000. How is it possible?

[inhawaii]

Some sellers don't know about the "out of stock" option so in order to keep the listing active, even though they ran out of stock, they will just set the price to something ridiculously high to prevent anyone from buying it.  When they get more to sell, they will lower the price back to it's normal price. 

[itscalledapostingid]

Could be the same person asking 14K and they would end that auction if it sells on ebay.

[bafa_57]

This is actually a government auction. The eBay seller is located in the same city where the auction is taking place. The number of items in the batch is the same. No doubt in my mind that this guy is trying to pull a fast one. I can't believe someone is trying to sell something they don't own.

[bafa_57]

This seller doesn't even have or own the stock to begin with.

[dbfolks166mt]

     It's a technique used for money laundering. 

[soh.maryl]

It would be a lot easier to comment if we had any idea what you're talking about.

How about an item number?

[inhawaii]

Ok you've officially lost me. 

I have no clue what you're talking about. 

[soh.maryl]

Are you asking for help or advice? If so, how about an eBay item #? 

[soh.maryl]

Me neither.  Have requested more information.

[soh.maryl]

You figured that out from the meager amount of info we have been supplied?  

[maxine*j]

Like others, I'm confused. 

Are you saying:

A government entity is holding a public auction on-line.

That entity has the auction lot (more than one item, being sold as one lot) in its possession, with delivery to, or pick up by, the winning bidder to be arranged.

You are, so far, the only bidder on this auction.

Meanwhile, an eBay seller has the exact government auction lot listed for sale on eBay, because he expects to be able to swoop in with a winning bid and then resell the lot quickly, after revising the current "place-holder" price.

Is that the scenario you see?

=

[asset_liquidators]

I understand what you are talking about. You are saying someone is trying to sell the EXACT item that they don't even own yet. I see idiots do this ALL the time and quite often they never become the winner of that item.

[asset_liquidators]

What the OP is referring to is an item that is up for bid at another auction site and someone copies that ad and hopes to sell it on ebay while simultaneously winning it at the other auction. 

[redmodelt]

or someone has the same item and is "selling one like it" using the same photos.