Online Auctions - Don't let the Hammer Fall on You!

It's estimated that around 60% of all internet fraud involves online auctions or merchandising not being delivered. Sadly, the more times you deal with online auctions, the greater the chance of becoming a victim of one sort or other.

Having some sort of idea of the different methods these fraudsters use to relieve you of your hard earned dosh can, hopefully, give you an edge. Pre-warned is pre-armed as the saying goes.

Some of the more common complaints from users of online auctions have involved the following methods.

Method 1.   Failure of the seller to ship the goods at the end of an auction.

Method 2.   Goods despatched are of inferior quality to those advertised on the site.

Method 3.   'Shill' bidding. Where unscrupulous sellers sometimes bid on their own auction items in order to drive up the price.

Method 4.   Bid Shielding. Where equally deceitful buyers place very high bids on an item before withdrawing their bid at the very last second, allowing a much lower bid (normally their accomplice) to 'win' the auction.

Method 5.   Bid Syphoning. Where 'dealers' offer losing bidders the same item 'off auction' at much lower prices, and when you've paid the money over they don't send the goods.

Method 6.   Failure to disclose certain information about items in a listing, and to disclose pertinent information about terms of sale.

As the biggest online auction site in the world, eBay have been fighting these online auction fraudsters for a long time, and have a number ways of dealing with them when caught. If you think you're a victim of any underhand dealings on eBay, don't be afraid to report them to eBay administration. 

Make sure you use facilities such as PayPal to make your transactions as they have a number of ways of dealing with fraudulent tricks. Remember, if something doesn't feel right, or you have doubts about a transaction, don't do it. The vast majority of eBay sales go through without a hitch, so don't have sleepless nights about it, just be careful.

To get the complete low down on all things to do with eBay and online auctions, check out Amanda O'Brien's £2,500 a week eBay Powerseller Secrets. This book alone will save you hours and hours of ferreting out information, trying this and that, and still wondering why you haven't sold anything yet. Get the REAL story behind what makes an ebay Powerseller tick!