Ethics question.

[fett]

A friend asked me (wink-wink-nod-nod), "What would you do?". This person has a situation where he is selling something (not a guitar) at auction. The current bid is $150 with a Reserve of $255. This "person" gets an e-mail saying he'll pay $350 if my friend ends the auction now. My friend told me there is only one other person that is interested in this non-guitar other than the guy that wants to pay $350. My friend told me there are 3 days left in his auction. I am at a loss as to what to tell my friend . What would you guys advise? If this thread gets booted, my friend will understand. And, I will aplogize for him.

[HoWheels]

Is this auction eBay?
If the "person" is local and wants to pay cash and pick it up, I'd end it. But I would otherwise never accept someone's offer to circumvent eBay. Chances are, it's a scammer!

-a

[horns666]

Money talks Brother Fett!

Billy

[fett]

Is this auction eBay?
If the "person" is local and wants to pay cash and pick it up, I'd end it. But I would otherwise never accept someone's offer to circumvent eBay. Chances are, it's a scammer!

-a

My "friend" told me he wants to do a BIN.

[jgcable]

Sold.

[Soloist1]

Are there any bids that meet reserve on it yet? If there is I would at least have the person that wishes to purchase it enter a bid that puts them in the winning bid position and then end it.

[fett]

The last time my "friend " tried to sell this, the high bid was $163. And the high bidder wanted a "Second Chance". My friend chose to re-list it. It's the same guy that has the only bid in at $150 on the current auction.

[rjohnstone]

SOLD!!!
But get the money first of course.

[yabba]

I don't think ending ebay auctions early is unethical at all

[fett]

Should he e-mail the first guy and tell him what's going on? I knew a gay Navy guy the was on the USS Ethics. I think he meant to say "Essex"

[lerxstcat]

If the first guy/current high bidder tried to lowball you - I mean your friend last time, he's not going to go up to $350. He's a bargain humter. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing wrong with ending the listing to do a BIN with the other guy either.

Just make sure the funds clear before you ship the item. I have a bank account just for Paypal deals that I keep at a minimum balance so scammers can't do a chargeback on me. I also have the Paypal ATM card so I don't have to wait 2-3 business days if I'm willing to pay
$3 to get the money right away. Sometimes that's really handy.

[fett]

Will you Admins bust my balls if I showed my "friend's " auction? The item is an object-duh-art.

[Shotgun]

As soon as the money arrived in my paypal account, I'd end the auction and ship it. No money, no ending auction.

[monk]

I knew a gay Navy guy the was on the USS Ethics. I think he meant to say "Essex"

Did you miss the quotation-marks on that one?

[lerxstcat]

Will you Admins bust my balls if I showed my "friend's " auction? The item is an object-duh-art.

If it's really yours, don't show it, that's a big no-no. Or since it's not a guitar, I'd email or PM them, not just ask on the thread. But my guess would be no...