by Morsecode » Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:17 pm
It may be some kind of scam, but shill bidding probably isn't part of it. There were 22 individual bidders, most of them with high feedback numbers. I don't even know 22 people on ebay, much less 22 who'd be willing to shill my auction.
Besides, to what end? The seller has to pay ebay fees based on final value (in this case around $100 out of his pocket)...what's he got to gain from screwing around? Not to mention he has several more of these 'pre-sale 2025 cent' boxes listed, most of which are already north of several hundred dollars. I can't see him getting away with telling ebay none of his buyers completed the sale. They're gonna want their fees.
I put the blame on the bidders. He has terrible feedback, but it's mostly from greedy snipe bidders who thought they were buying mayonaisse jars full of 90% silver for 60 bucks, when the fine print clearly described otherwise. Shady certainly, but not outright scam.
My theory is there are gullible people out there with more money than common sense who believe the facebook rumors the penny is ended. As for sure some bidders who are just clowning him and trying (succeeding) to make his listing look ridiculous.
From hence ye beauties undeceived, know one false step is ne'er retrieved
and be with caution bold.
Not all that tempts your wandering eyes and heedless hearts is lawful prize,
nor all that glistens gold.
- Thomas Gray, 1747