Bob Gaines, Mike, & Gents, I differ on your view about listing Ebay Items with "protected identities." We like to run auctions and sell this stuff with all the bidders screen names available to see. We have always felt that our unique CARS and PARTS, make it almost impossible for someone to "pirate" our Ebay customers. Obviously if you have common replaceable item: you could lose bidders. My concern would be having the "pirates" contact my real bidders, and make up stuff to lower final bidding amount. This happens at the car auctions. A crude technique to lower the price, is to inspect the vehicle prior to auction time and then "throw away the keys." Then the car has to be pushed across the block. You can see an advantage for the unscrupulous buyer! I don't think I would bid against "unidentified bidders." This just opens the doors for problems. I would not feel comfortable bidding at Barrett-Jackson against "Email Bidders." I want to feel warm & fuzzy as a bidder! Reputable businesses don't need to hide their bidders. Pete Geisler Orlando Mustang 407 688 1966
Well Pete - your point is one way of looking at it - Again, it appears that the whole shooting match is a double edged sword - Damn if you do and damned if you don't. With so much fraud on e bay, and the like, I will take the heat I may get from running private auctions and know that my high bidder will not be contacted by anyone else besides me and that the transaction is fair to both parties. I do agree with you about the BJ auction, though. I don't feel good about bidding against e mail and telephone bidders - period SGB ----- Original Message ----- From: ORLMUST@aol.com To: shelbymustang@carmemories.com Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 9:10 PM Subject: Ebay / Sales Techniques Bob Gaines, Mike, & Gents, I differ on your view about listing Ebay Items with "protected identities." We like to run auctions and sell this stuff with all the bidders screen names available to see. We have always felt that our unique CARS and PARTS, make it almost impossible for someone to "pirate" our Ebay customers. Obviously if you have common replaceable item: you could lose bidders. My concern would be having the "pirates" contact my real bidders, and make up stuff to lower final bidding amount. This happens at the car auctions. A crude technique to lower the price, is to inspect the vehicle prior to auction time and then "throw away the keys." Then the car has to be pushed across the block. You can see an advantage for the unscrupulous buyer! I don't think I would bid against "unidentified bidders." This just opens the doors for problems. I would not feel comfortable bidding at Barrett-Jackson against "Email Bidders." I want to feel warm & fuzzy as a bidder! Reputable businesses don't need to hide their bidders. Pete Geisler Orlando Mustang 407 688 1966