The "Remarkable Rushmore 219-D" ...

Current Listing : Superdeal70

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-219D-...121445778947

Sold 9/1/14 : postage-dues

http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Scott-21...em1c452a0825

Sold 8/17/14 : rushmore_bargains

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1890-93-US-...em43cd9214e1

Wow. Scam alert ... A stamp that previously sold for $480 and $287 now being offered at a starting price of $0.99? Let the shill bidding begin!

I just had this exact very thing happen to me recently with a hometown stampless J.S.,PA. cover! I was the highest bidder every time until just the last few seconds then lost it. It was then quickly re-listed and again I placed my bid...last second I lost...one more time it was re-listed but this time for only $8.00 and I wrote the fellow about it and directly asked him if he was shill bidding against me?...he replied that I must have done something wrong (not he) because, if I was the highest bidder I should have won...(no kidding?) So, like a total "dumb butt" I re-bid the asking $8.00 and not 1¢ more, and finally, you guessed it!- I was out bid once again! The original listing for it was at first $18.99 then, $22.00 then the final $8.00 offering. I lost it all three times! TO my ultimate dismay. The seller responded (elkman) that if that was the case and no one was winning his auctions then he was losing money and that I should contact ebay...I didn't but I DID make note of the seller and won't use him again. I initially wanted it because it was a 6¢ rate. Well live and learn I suppose.

Well, the previous two times, it was offered at the starting price of $0.99 also.

But can somebody explain to me what is going on here, and how anybody is making money? I can see the suspicion about the first two sellers, perhaps. The third is supposedly based in MD. Is this third a shill account too? So how does this work? They keep selling it, under different accounts, until they get the price they want?

^^ Exactly^^ just different accounts from the seller to bid you up.

These crooks have been exposed time and time again. I don't understand how they are covering their final value fees. On the OP example they are out over $70 just in selling fees and that's only if this is only the 3rd offering. I know of others with several more.

All of the recent ebay changes have made it easier for them to hide their activity. I'm just glad forums like this have exposed them and most of us steer clear. It's evident by the declining sale price with each auction.

Sorry to say, I believe this is going on with a number of other sellers as well. I'm always concerned when a bidder with a low feedback purchases a relatively expensive item. It took me quite awhile on ebay before I had the courage to place such a bid.

They're not out any selling fees... the "unpaid item"
gets credited, and the re-listing is free...

I can't believe ebay let's them get away with that ? Not as many of these, as are going on. It would have to set off red flags in their system.

There is no way of checking this stuff any more with all of the recent ebay changes to advanced searches and feedback information.

There needs to be more transparency, not less like they are moving to.

I could see ebay turning a blind eye as long as they are getting their cut. If they are being biled as well, I would think they would take action.

As I mentioned in another post, I think they are paving the way for other sellers to get involved in this activity as well. I won't mention names, but I've saw some similar things elsewhere.