Something fishy about this auction?

[potablog]

Hey all!

So I'm watching this auction for a Mego/ Palitoy Transporter Room right now-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260813732958&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:ONA:US:1123

...but something is rubbing me the wrong way. The guy goes out of his way REPEATEDLY to remind everyone how rare it is. He also updated the auction to talk about how many watchers it has, and how if it doesn't get more bids soon he will just take it down. Then I look at the questions on the auction. They seem to use the exact style of "broken" writing that he uses in his description. Plus, the first question comes from a "JR BONAVITA" with an offer of $3500 to end it early (again saying how scarce "these 74 UK Bradgate Transporters are"). Now, it could just be a coincidence that the guy's name is Bonavita... but if you look up the seller's name he has listed with the question (OUTOFTHISWORLDTOYS), they haven't used ebay since 2008... when they apparently passed away according to the feedback.

Also, if you check his other auctions, like this one for some carded Black Hole figures:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Mego-1979-Disney-Black-Hole-Old-Bob-Humanoid-/260815682458?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb9d3 7b9a

...you'll see the same M.O. Plenty of talk about the rarity, the same threats to end it if bidding doesn't get high enough, and then the same form of questions written in the same manner.

Am I just looking too much into this? Or should I avoid this guy on the possibility that he has shill bidders that will drive up my bids?

Thanks!
-potablog

[Adam West]

My guess is that the seller is pulling out every stop in trying to drive up demand. I am also guessing that the seller is basically saying without saying that the auction will be ended early if someone offers the right price for it. That way the seller can get around Ebay fees and hopefully get top dollar for it. Not really a good way to do business and am just guessing that this is what is being done in this situation. Seriously, who sets a reserve and then threatens to end the auction even if the reserve is met?

[potablog]

Seriously, who sets a reserve and then threatens to end the auction even if the reserve is met?

Exactly! Isn't that the whole point of setting a reserve in the first place?

potablog

[megoapesnut]

I read his updates and I don't read it the same way you are. He doesn't mention anywhere that he will pull the auction. He states that, if the reserve is met "he might end the auction and let you have it", which I take to mean he would end the auction early and sell to the bidder who met the reserve. Which would be stupid on his part, as it might go higher, but it's not dishonest. He also states that if the reserve isn't met he will relist, which I take to mean if the auction ends and the reserve isn't met, he will relist. Everything sounds above board to me.

[palitoy]

Agree with Scott, a lot of hyperbole in there but it doesn't appear to be suspect.

[potablog]

Did you guys check out the questions too? that's the part that really has me worried... since they are written in the exact same style as his auction, and they are like that on multiple auctions.

As for him ending it if it doesn't get enough interest- Maybe it is just the way I'm reading it, but after reading it combined with this from one of the Black Hole auctions:

"im going to take this down in just a few days if it doesnt get alot more intresting, im pretty sure You're already completely aware of how scarce and rare this piece is especially a carded Black~Hole~Old~Bob !​, so bring it way up real quick and make it intresting, if you want it"

...I am just inferring that he is threatening to drop the auctions if they don't get enough heat. Maybe it is just me though...

potablog

[palitoy]

The thing is, it's a $200-250 item on a good day, it isn't all that rare IMO. I wouldn't even considering bidding on this becausethe seller really thinks he's got gold when it's more of a bronze.

[megoapesnut]

I just read the transporter auction, not the others. So I can't speak for them. As for what he thinks it is worth - Hey, it's a Mego, it must be worth thousands, if not millions of dollars, right?

[potablog]

The thing is, it's a $200-250 item on a good day, it isn't all that rare IMO. I wouldn't even considering bidding on this becausethe seller really thinks he's got gold when it's more of a bronze.

Exactly. Which really has me thinking that those questions with the insanely high offers are from shill accounts, just to drive up interest.

I just read the transporter auction, not the others. So I can't speak for them. As for what he thinks it is worth - Hey, it's a Mego, it must be worth thousands, if not millions of dollars, right?

Coupled with the fact that it's from that new hit show "Star Trek"!

potablog

[alex]

Check the UK auctions, I picked one of these up for $35(box was much nicer than this one, hardly any damage) , it never arrived, guy was really nice, and refunded me the money, and another one literally popped up in three weeks, and bought it for $60( in Really nice box, inserts and no damage) all in the UK, certainly hadnt been looking for it for 14 years LOL, there were a few of these about 6 months ago on the UK site, for a BIN of 50 sterling, which went round twice and didnt sell.