What's going on here?? Ebay seller oddity.

RockBurner · Dec 16, 2019

I was watching this black coral 1000 series up until Sunday night :
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Tag-Heuer-1000-Series-Black-Coral-980-029N-Quartz-Watch/133266232697

Unfortunately it went slightly over my budget (and I missed the end of the auction anyway - damn app settings were too quiet), so I assumed it had been sold.

However - this morning the seller has apparantly re-listed the watch....https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133273723025?ViewItem=&item=133273723025

So - not only has he not said anything about the previous auction, but also he's upped the price by over £100.

Ok - that brings the watch back up to a more normal market price.... but I can't help but wonder if I'd even have received the watch at all if I'd won the previous auction.

I don't use ebay much - so, is this the sort of thing that happens a lot??

All this is somewhat academic as I was pissed at missing the auction end last night (and on 3/4 of a bottle of red) and went and bought myself this instead:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XCSW2QB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lugduno · Dec 16, 2019

I had a similar issue with an auction for a TH 1000 on a national eBay subsidiary ownership some time ago. I was outbid in the last minutes and the watch went slightly over budget. Tough luck, but that happens, right? But some days later, the watch was listed again by the original seller and this time with a markup.

I don't know what to make out of all this, maybe the first buyer never paid or wanted the watch. However, it was enough for me to shy away from the whole thing and it confirmed what some people have told me that eBay and similar sites aren't the best idea for purchasing vintage pieces.

RockBurner · Dec 16, 2019

Lugduno
I had a similar issue with an auction for a TH 1000 on a national eBay subsidiary ownership some time ago. I was outbid in the last minutes and the watch went slightly over budget. Tough luck, but that happens, right? But some days later, the watch was listed again by the original seller and this time with a markup.

I don't know what to make out of all this, maybe the first buyer never paid or wanted the watch. However, it was enough for me to shy away from the whole thing and it confirmed what some people have told me that eBay and similar sites aren't the best idea for purchasing vintage pieces.

I don't like using ebay at the best of times I'll admit.

However - being on a budget it does mean that occasionally something comes up on ebay that is worth a punt.

bdev · Dec 16, 2019

Many times, instances when the watch is relisted after it has sold has to do will shill bidding. Here's a great definition I found on the net.

"Shill bidding is when a seller uses a separate account, be it one of their own, a friend or a family members or they ask someone to bid on their auction to artificially raise the price of the auction."

The seller then cancels the transaction and relists usually for a BIN price or as an auction at a higher starting price.

OttoWilliam · Dec 16, 2019

Happens everywhere, i guess. Not just bidding watch. Art piece, collector items, etc anything that involved bidding or auction might have what it's called shill bidding. (Thanks for the term and definition, English was not my first language and although i am familiar with this practice, i dont know what the exact term was).

RockBurner · Jan 15, 2020

I'm still on the lookout for another 1000 series, (well - if I find a blindingly good deal) - can anyone put up with yet another suggestion of buying sites I should be frequently checking? Pretty please? 😉

Jim Dollares · Jan 15, 2020

RockBurner
I'm still on the lookout for another 1000 series, (well - if I find a blindingly good deal) - can anyone put up with yet another suggestion of buying sites I should be frequently checking? Pretty please? 😉

I assume you already follow the almighty god of 1000 series? Tyler at Simon Watch Company, follow him on instagram to be able to purchase as soon as he posts something interesting. I bought mine from him and can really recommend him, such a humble, professional and respectful seller 👍

RockBurner · Jan 15, 2020

Jim Dollares
I assume you already follow the almighty god of 1000 series? Tyler at Simon Watch Company, follow him on instagram to be able to purchase as soon as he posts something interesting. I bought mine from him and can really recommend him, such a humble, professional and respectful seller 👍

I didn't, thank you! Will keep an eye on that.

In the meantime..... I've received an 'ebay-offer' on an 020B I'm watching. Not quite what I was after (I really fancied a PVD, but they're a bit rarer), but definitely food for thought.

scooby-wrx · Feb 2, 2020

Buying online is risky, however if you pay via PayPal on eBay you're protected as a buyer. If your purchase doesn't turn up eBay can and in many instances will issue a full refund. Same goes for if your purchase arrives damaged, defective, fake etc.. I think eBay has a great refund policy.