Recurring Bid Retractions

[orbitdrop.ont_01]

Hello,

I seem to have a problem with a certain bidder who bids on a good portion of items I am selling, then retracts bids close to auction end to start bidding on the same item from other sellers at lower than the bid on my items. The same bidder has done so to me a few times now.

I realize bid retractions are perfectly ok behaviour, but I believe this bidder is placing a high bid at auction start to determine what my reserve price is (as I have reserves on all the items this bidder was bidding on). By placing a high starting bid on my item this bidder is instantly meeting the reserve price and waiting until he can find an auction with a lower reserve to bid on that one.

My question is.... Does eBay tolerate this recurring behavior? I thought reserves were a means to protect yourself from selling for less than you are expecting. Can I report this bidder for bid/retract, bid/retract tactics to determine my reserves? When I am asked questions about my reserves I always reply but this bidder has never asked.

I appreciate all opinions on this matter.

[zarzuella]

Yes, excessive bid retractions are a no-no. Whether eBay will act is another story.

If this buyer bothers you, block him. That will solve your problem.

[3jcc14]

I've reported a bid retractor in the past. I had a guy with 81 bid retractions after being active for 6 months. After I got the standard "we will follow up" email from e-bay, I checked his user name a few times over the next few weeks and there didn't appear to be any sanctions.