Shill bidding?

I'm not sure if this is a shill bidder, but there is definitely something weird going on.

Check out this item:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-KENNER-STAR-WARS-YOUNG-JEDI-KNIGHT-MAIL-AWAY-SET-MINT-COMPLETE-ULTRA-RARE-/311678105806

If you look at the 27 bids, the bidder k****2 was the second highest bidder and put in 3 bids, including the second highest at $1592.

Now check out the same item relisted. Now, to be fair, he could have had a second one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/142106219954?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Again, if you check out the 25 bids, k***2 features strongly again with a staggering 20 bids, and (again) comes second. Why did he bid only $877.77 if he went as high as $1592 last time?


Now, if you click on k***2 you'll find that 100% of his bidding activity has been on 2 items with only this seller. Either he was a very keen buyer (and ultimately disappointed twice) on this particular item, or there is something naughty going on......

Thoughts?

Cheers
Pat

Looking at who the seller is then I am pretty sure that we know the answer

If there was an Olympics for shill bidding, this guy would win the gold, silver & bronze. Sells a **** load of stuff though. Intrigued what his sources are.

itfciain said:

Looking at who the seller is then I am pretty sure that we know the answer

Click to expand...

I did not even bother to look at the bidding history- FX Toys is notorious for it ( amongst other things- sticker cover ups etc.) from memory someone on RS actually proved shill bidding by FX toys and won .

Yep memory still OK : http://forum.rebelscum.com/showthread.php?t=1104405

edit- look who was first to comment

Bloody hell James, I had completely forgotten about that. Even reading it now, I still can't remember it!

Good one.

Pat

He runs meet ups up and down the country at hotels for people to bring in their toys - apparently pays a fraction of their worth and then gets them all sold through eBay - rarely do you buy an item from them that isn't close to your top bid :shock:

itfciain said:

He runs meet ups up and down the country at hotels for people to bring in their toys - apparently pays a fraction of their worth and then gets them all sold through eBay - rarely do you buy an item from them that isn't close to your top bid :shock:

Click to expand...

Ah very interesting, thanks - makes sense. FX Toys meets Dickinson's real deal! He must be making an absolute killing then!!

Another reason I only bid in the last few seconds of an auction.



Jason

There's shill bidding all over ebay, you can generally spot it a mile away. High prices bid with several days to go or 20+ bids on something or both..! Alarm bells are ringing Tommy :|