Sellers And Buyers Need To Be Aware Of Problem On Ebay...

Over the past few months, ebay began using an algorithm which immediately proffered another stamp when the one you were looking at was no longer available. This algorithm kicks in immediately as the auction ends.

At this same time - and I don't know whether it is related to this new algorithm or not, honestly, although I find it highly likely - bids made in the 20 seconds MAY NOT BE RECOGNIZED BY THE SYSTEM.

Four times this has happened to me. In each instance, my bid, which greatly exceeded the winning bid was "kicked out" by the system. I've called ebay and talked with their concierges about this and they have responded back that the technical department was unable to do anything.

The last time this happened, yesterday, I placed a bid for $125.00 on a lot which ultimately sold for $16.50. When I entered the bid, the screen flashed and I was only given the option of increasing the bids by $3.00 increments. With insufficient time to navigate back to the bid screen, I lost the item - again.

When I talked to the concierge, it was apparent that ebay is aware of the problem and could care less. I explained I'd placed the bid with 12 second left (I used to place bids with 5-6 seconds left) and the concierge told me "Oh, no. That's way too close. There's no way you can guarantee this will be accepted." What the #$)&@W@$**))&&)&!!!!!!!

Now, I do not know what the winning bidder's high bid was, but for a seller, this means they lost money on the sale. I'm quite sure this is not just a problem I am having. It's got nothing to do with my internet or the speed of the connection because that works just fine everywhere else.

I explained patiently to the concierge that this needed to be fixed. This is costing them money in higher sales commissions, the sellers in higher prices realized and frustrating buyers, like myself. I also explained that until, or if, they get this fixed, I will not be selling on ebay. I mentioned that there are other venues now, such as Hipstamp which are not having this issue.

If you are a seller on ebay, please be aware of the problem and understand that to date, ebay has done nothing about the problem.

I'm giving them one last opportunity to fix the problem. I also informed the concierge that if this happens again, it will be the end of my relationship with ebay as I can use the other venues available to find what I want for my collection. It is a shame that a venue I've used for two decades has declined in their level of concern to this point.

Bid at a genuine auction house. ebay could care less.

rogdcam, I do use auction houses for a lot of material, but for items which are not sufficiently high value to appear at auction in an auction house, ebay has been an excellent choice - until recently.

For a company which was founded as a venue for collectibles, they've completely lost their way - the compass isn't just broken, it fell over the side somewhere along the way.

Stampman2002: Have you made contact with any of the sellers?

Man, EFF, ebay. Sounds like they are wanting you to bid $3.00 at a time, you know keep you locked into their screen...
STEP OVER TO HIP STAMP.....come on...its just around the corner...
Good luck
Lee

That is very discouraging! I have noticed many changes with the search function on ebay lately. It seems to be driving you in a completely different direction than it used to. It's a shame but ebay may be coming to the end of its usefulness for stamp collecting.

You can no longer obtain direct contact information on sellers from ebay. Everything must now be done through their ebay messaging system, completing their absolute control over what is said and done. Anything they don't like is rejected and never seen by the other parties involved.

I happened to know one of the sellers and had his contact information. I informed him of the problem and, needless to say, he was none to thrilled about it.

This sounds like it would only affect the infamous last minute bidders who wait until the final seconds and swoop in with a final bid. I assume that if you place your bid a few minutes before the end you can still enter it, right?

Personally I don't really have a problem with this since I generally bid about a day before the total amount I am willing to pay. But I can see that this "feature" would disturb certain bidders.