Steve 96C4S

Ughhh - I found something I really want on Ebay, and bid on it. Then I realized I'm bidding against someone here on this list . I'm sure that's a common occurrence, but I feel bad about it, like I'm in a personal "war" against someone here and am fighting to the financial end. Part of me really wants it and is willing to keep bidding up the item till I get it... The thing is, this person REALLY helped me recently with my 993 purchase, going out of their way to test drive my potential car for me in a different state! Because of him, I was convinced the car was sound and relied on that info to fly out and buy it !

It's a rare and an oddball item that would be very difficult to find elsewhere - I've looked. What would YOU do? I really want it for my car, but would be willing to back off for the sake of Rennlist ettiquette, if there is such a thing.

Steve

993chaz

Stever,
I've found myself in the same situation in the past. Its a difficult situation, I actually emailed my fellow bidder and we both agreed that "may the best man win". Even though I still felt funny about bidding against a fellow Rennlister at least I knew we were both on the same page about it, and also knew that there would be no hard feelings. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Steve 96C4S

Thanks 993chaz... I already did that yesterday but didn't hear back from them yet. Guess I'll wait to hear what they say if and when they email me back.

Steve

Mike in Chi

Steve,

If he REALLY went out of his way to help you, I think you already answered your question.

ca993twin

Only one of you will win the item, and all you are doing with your bidding is driving the price up for that person. Figure out some way to determine who will get the item, and the other person should get out. Use lotto numbers, or guess the other person birthdate or something.

Ron

Steve,

Mike in Chi is right.

There is no way you should bid against someone who test drove a car for you in another state.

I've run into a similar situation before with a fellow Rennlister and friend and we agreed that I would not bid against him as he saw the item first. We further agreed that when I bid on an item first he will not bid against me. That certainly is fair.

Mark in Baltimore

I think you've done the right thing by trying to contact him. If he says he really wants the item, there's your answer; he did you a major solid with your new car and letting him have the item would be returning the favor to some degree.

Another more remote possibility is maybe he really doesn't want the item all that badly (possible scenarios: he has two more like it or this item isn't in as good of a condition as what he ideally wants but he'll take it if it goes for cheap) and thinks it's okay for you to bid on it. If he gives you the okay, go for it. But, as previously stated, you guys WOULD drive the price up for each other. But, that's eBay.

Either way, it sounds like you have a handle on communication. If you don't hear from the guy before the end of the auction, I would bow out.

911-TOUR

Beware guys...what you're talking about is illegal on w.r.t. ebay (Price Fixing & Collusion). This website (rennlist) now has a record of the attempt. I'd be more careful...

sean

Mark in Baltimore

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Sean Spicer:
<strong>Beware guys...what you're talking about is illegal on w.r.t. ebay (Price Fixing & Collusion). This website (rennlist) now has a record of the attempt. I'd be more careful...

sean</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Is this really against ebay's policies? I'm not being sarcastic but if it is, I've missed it. Shill bidding is against the rules but that would apply if one of you guys were the seller and attempting to drive the price up with the bid of another. Is it illegal to want to keep the price down?

I'm not sure I understand how discussing whether one or both buyers will or will not enter a bid is unethical. If I go to a regular auction with a friend, of course we're going to discuss the individual goods and whether we want them. But we would not be in complicity with the seller to raise the price nor, obviously, to drive it down.

Todd

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Mike in Chi:
<strong>Steve,

If he REALLY went out of his way to help you, I think you already answered your question.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I agree....

Anir

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Sean Spicer:
<strong>Beware guys...what you're talking about is illegal on w.r.t. ebay (Price Fixing & Collusion). This website (rennlist) now has a record of the attempt. I'd be more careful...

sean</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Sean,

To hell with ebay. They can't (or won't) even effectively police the numerous crooks and scoundrels profiting from their site.

I don't see how they would prosecute or punish two friends who agreed not to duke it out once they realized they were both bidding on the same item.

Steve, all you have to do is gracefully bow out (stop bidding). That's not collusion nor price fixing. My compliments on having the ethical perspective to think about this issue in the first place.

E. J. - 993 Alumni

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Todd:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Mike in Chi:
<strong>Steve,

If he REALLY went out of his way to help you, I think you already answered your question.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I agree....</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Yup. Hell, do the right thing and buy it for him.

Jeff 993TT

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by E. J. - 993 Alumni:
<strong>Yup. Hell, do the right thing and buy it for him.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I agree.

STLPCA

Steve
I understand your concern, but it's really only valid if the 2 of you are the only possible bidders. You're probably not. You do neither of you a favor if you stay out of the bidding &, as a result, the item goes to someone else, perhaps a last moment sniper. If you want to express gratitude it shouldn't be tied to an eBay auction anyway, send him a gift, ... or buy the eBay item & send it to him. My $.02.

Anir

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Dan 96C2 St.Louis:
<strong>or buy the eBay item & send it to him. My $.02.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Dan,

Very nice suggestion.