Re: How redicoulous can Ebay Get?

[Marsha Jackson <Marsha.Jackson@worldnet.att.net>]

Christopher Rose wrote:

> Those prices are outrageous. If I may, let me relate a little story of my
> first time bidding on Ebay:

<snip>

> So I came to my senses and let the person
> outbid me one last time - the price was like $41 now. The other person won
> the auction but a day after the auction the seller emailed me saying the
> high bidder backed out and that I was obligated to buy the game at my
> highest bid (which was $40). Frustrated, I looked up the high bidders
> email address and the person had the same nickname the seller was using
> only it was at a different email address. It turned out this person was
> using a second account to bid on his own item to jack the price up. Having
> learned my lesson, I now wait until the last two minutes of an auction to
> bid as to avoid being ripped off.

So far I've been exclusively a buyer on ebay, but I thought the obligation
thing sounded slightly strange so I emailed ebay customer support and received
the following reply.
Marsha


<<
While the seller may offer an item to the second highest bidder after an
auction is ended if the high bidder backs out, the second bidder is
under no obligation to purchase the item.

Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

Regards,

Drew
eBay Customer Support
>>