I've noticed that some ads state that the buyer will ship, for example,
to the US only. However, this doesn't stop bidders from outside the US
from making bid after bid on the item being sold. It seems a little
weird to me that they can jack up the price of the item with their bids
when the item couldn't even be shipped to their location.

Of course, it's possible that someone in Australia, say, might have a
friend in the US who could take delivery of the item, and that's fine.
But it's doubtful that this is always the case! In many instances,
these bids couldn't *win* an auction because they'd require shipment
outside the US, but they can still *jack up the price* of the item.

Am I missing something here, or is this just the way it is?

Steve

On 3 Feb 2005 17:23:26 -0800, wrote:

I've noticed that some ads state that the buyer will ship, for example,
to the US only. However, this doesn't stop bidders from outside the US
from making bid after bid on the item being sold. It seems a little
weird to me that they can jack up the price of the item with their bids
when the item couldn't even be shipped to their location.

Of course, it's possible that someone in Australia, say, might have a
friend in the US who could take delivery of the item, and that's fine.
But it's doubtful that this is always the case! In many instances,
these bids couldn't *win* an auction because they'd require shipment
outside the US, but they can still *jack up the price* of the item.

Am I missing something here, or is this just the way it is?

Steve
The seller needs to change his auction settings. He then can block
foreign votes. He may not have known this. I speak from experience.

Your second paragraph could also be true. I sold a ligature to
someone from Peru with a Miami shipping address. This is before I
found out about being able to block non-US bids.

Warren

"Warren" wrote in message
...
On 3 Feb 2005 17:23:26 -0800, wrote:

I've noticed that some ads state that the buyer will ship, for example,
to the US only. However, this doesn't stop bidders from outside the US
from making bid after bid on the item being sold. It seems a little
weird to me that they can jack up the price of the item with their bids
when the item couldn't even be shipped to their location.

Of course, it's possible that someone in Australia, say, might have a
friend in the US who could take delivery of the item, and that's fine.
But it's doubtful that this is always the case! In many instances,
these bids couldn't *win* an auction because they'd require shipment
outside the US, but they can still *jack up the price* of the item.

Am I missing something here, or is this just the way it is?

Steve
The seller needs to change his auction settings. He then can block
foreign votes. He may not have known this. I speak from experience.

Your second paragraph could also be true. I sold a ligature to
someone from Peru with a Miami shipping address. This is before I
found out about being able to block non-US bids.

Warren

There's also the possiblity that the buyer has contacted the seller before
placing a bid to see if shipping to their location is possible. I've done
this several times and have had no problems. However, I'm in Canada, so
shipping from the U.S. is not that big a deal. (I've been told "No, I don't
ship outside the U.S." a couple of times too.) If in doubt, a polite e-mail
will help in avoiding any misunderstandings. Just be sure to let them know
that you understand their auction shipping rules, but could an exception be
made....or something to that effect. I've found many people are reasonable
and willing, *provided* the buyer is up-front and honest and has some
positive feedback. Someone with "0" feedback might have a tougher time, but
I doubt it. Most folks are pretty decent - after all, they want to sell as
much as we want to buy.

Mike T.