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#47635
Wed Oct 30 2002 06:33 PM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 272
Petro Enthusiast
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OP
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 272 |
A well known east coast auction co had a closing date of 10/16/02 on an auction. I had no problems bidding that night and checked the next day and saw I was the high bidder on a couple of globes. 4 days later get an email saying I'm outbidded. The auction date closing date was moved till 10/23/02. I refused to bid after that. After auction was over, email the owner and questioned him about this. His reply was that he received a virus so he had to run it another week. If I had no problen bidding is this possible?? Maybe he wasn't satified with the prices (no reserves)and this was a way of letting it run longer to drive up the price?? OK you computer experts help me out here, so I will know if I'm going to bid in any further of his auctions, thanks Paul
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Please - NO offers to Buy or Sell in this forum category
Statements such as, "I'm thinking about selling this." are considered an offer to sell.
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#47636
Tue Nov 05 2002 10:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,019
Veteran Member
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Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,019 |
I certainly am no computer expert.. and I can empathize with Pauls frustration over this online auction. I also feel that I am not alone in questioning the reason for extending this auction another week. Is a "virus" something that could shut down a site or an auction for a week?? I also bid on online auctions, and I too would like an education as to how this can happen. I call on our host and moderator. Jim.. you are obviously an expert in this computer stuff.. and I have the highest respect for you. Please enlighten us and let us know if this could be for real.."a virus" or possibly a scam to run up the prices. Thanks much.
------------------ Frank
Frank
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#47637
Tue Nov 05 2002 11:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 464
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 464 |
Most likely it was a scam. If he had a virus, it didn't seem to affect your bidding the night of closing. I would ask for his auctioners liscense number and perhaps report this activity to whichever state board would be in charge of this activity.
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#47638
Wed Nov 06 2002 07:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 289
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,509 Likes: 289 |
I think your assumption that more time was allowed to get higher bids is probably right. But there is no question that any computer system could have problems. Hackers and just plain volume have caused serious problems at eBay at certain times in the past. They spent tons of $$ strengthening their hardware and software to stand up to the challenge. Be sure to read the auctioneer's disclaimer about outages and other problems. The practice of moving a closing time and date should be a known factor before bidding starts.
It would be irresponsible to allow a virus to get into a commercial Web server, but it is remotely possible. More likely, if a virus was involved, it would probably be on the computer that the auctioneer uses to open email rather than the server. If it is the same machine as the server or on a local network with the server where a virus can be spread, shame on them.
Bottom line is I would recommend staying away from this auctioneer because of sloppy or downright deceptive practices.
------------------ Oldgas Your host and moderator
Jim "Oldgas" Potts Your host and moderator
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#47639
Tue Nov 12 2002 09:14 PM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 272
Petro Enthusiast
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OP
Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 272 |
Thanks Jim for your reply and expertise. I felt that things were not right, first its just like bidding on ebay private auction, you never see who's bidding. I also thought this should be a sophistacated system, thanks again Frank and Jim.
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