eBay Fee Avoidance - Isn't This Illegal?

[TamiyaRacer]

Look at all this seller's listings; under "Location" they all say to buy it now, by email, some give a number which I presume is the "buy it now" price, and one includes free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=1776131857

I know a seller can end their auction early, and presumbably accept an offer that has been emailed to them, but this seems to the outright solicitation for buyers to do that.

I'm not trying to give anyone ideas here, but rather clarify what the rules are.

[mr_lister999.]

i would agree with what you say. Its avoiding the insertion price of using BUY IT NOW and the final value fee would not apply as the listing would be ended without a sale. This is not always good for the seller or buyer as there is no buyer protection so you could loose your money and no option for feedback as far as i am aware. I may be wrong but that is how i understand EBAY works. Maybe somebody else knows. I know for certain i would not risk it.

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If practice makes perfect, and no one is perfect, why practice?

[J3cubfan]

As a rule of thumb. I try to avoid auction that have "sunglasses". Never been burnt, but knew of people who have.

John

[WillyChang]

quote:

I'm not trying to give anyone ideas here, but rather clarify what the rules are.

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Just checking... yup we AIN'T eBay admin here, matey!

Rather sneaky way of doing it, admittedly... although not very posh. I'll bet pretty soon eBay will cotton onto it, and probably ban html from the user-info sections too.

[netsmithUK]

Closing auctions early, when you take someones offer via 'contact seller' option or linking to your site, where you might have a 'for sale' or 'trade' pages both count as fee avoidance too.

chris

[WillyChang]

In the early days eBay used to frown on early closing... do they turn a blind eye to it these days?

Think that was before they rejigged the fee scales to scum you more at the start, regardless of sale or not.

[DJTheo]

quote: I'll bet pretty soon eBay will cotton onto it, and probably ban html from the user-info sections too.

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They can still put their link as text, most people know how do copy and paste

http://www.vintagetamiyarc.com/