Auction sales - an ethical question

[RedFeather]

Just saw another air gun listed on the auction sites as well as a couple of forum classifieds.  It has a BuyItNow price on the auction.  Here's the question - Is it ethical to offer a gun for sale at auction AND on a forum classified?  Reason I ask this is, say you see it on the auction site and hit the BuyItNow button.  According to the auction it will say "You're the Winner!" while sending an email notification to both you and the seller.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, AirGunAddict says "I'll take it!!!!" to which the seller responds "It's yours!!!"  Who should get the gun?  (Be aware that the seller is in violation of the auction site rules the moment he puts the gun up for sale on the classifieds.)

Your thoughts.  And, before you answer, let's say YOU are the auction "winner".

[gene_sc]

All I can say is he better have more than one of those guns...  But if he only has one then he is wrong and not to be trusted.

[a1Bogey]

Question.  "is it ethical to offer a gun for sale at auction AND on a forum classified"?   Since this is on the internet where replies can and do come come in at high speed and in high numbers.   A person would have to say no.       List on one forum at a time.  If you don't like the reponses, then list on another forum after removing it from the other site.   As Gene said, " he had better have more than one of those guns".

[RedFeather]

I have no problem with someone listing on multiple forums.  That's like posting flyers.  On the other hand, the auction sites allow you to sell through them for a modest commission and the promise that you will sell only through them.

[Big_Bill]

I don't like the idea of posting on other forums, let alone an auction site AND on other forums .

I have posted that "I'll take it", thinking that I was the winner, then receiving an e-mail that it had been sold on another forum 

How is one to know who bid first ! And I didn't like it one little bit either

Just another reason I don't go cruising forum Classifieds any more, and now I won't bother to look on the auction sites either !

I would rather buy it new, than go through that &^^& !

Bill

[daveshoot]

I just saw (and participated in) something like that.

Person countered a WTB ad on a classified with a similar but different item, which I found interesting. I inquired about it via email, since it wasn't my deal, but if the WTB guy didn't want it, I might. The original WTB guy never responded.

The next day the seller indicated that it had been placed on the auction site, where I could Buy Now if I wanted. I didn't at that price, so I bid what I wanted to spend on the auction. It did not meet the reserve.

The item did not sell at the auction. After it was closed, they contacted me and said if I still wanted it at my price, it was available. I took it.

In this case I don't think there was an ethical conflict. I guess the guy really wanted to turn it into cash, and I didn't really have a problem with him seeing what the market would bear, first. It sure went up there in a hurry after being offered on the classifieds though.

Having it in two places at once, one of them an auction, would be very bad form.

[dust]

Some people will list auctions as for sale local or something CYA to that effect.

[airiscool]

Clearly breaking the auction site rules would be considered unethical in my opinion.



Daveshoot,

".........In this case I don't think there was an ethical conflict. I guess the guy really wanted to turn it into cash, and I didn't really have a problem with him seeing what the market would bear, first. It sure went up there in a hurry after being offered on the classifieds though.

Having it in two places at once, one of them an auction, would be very bad form ........"

There wasn't any ethical conflict in you buying it after the auction. The auction site had a fair chance to sell the item and couldn't. If it doesn't sell and the auction time limit is up, the item owner is free to do with it whatever they please.

Paul.

[RedFeather]

Technically speaking, if the contact came through the auction, especially since the seller offered the gun to a bidder, the seller is at fault.  He should be selling through the auction site, since he used that site's resources to enable the sale.  But it's done all the time.

My question was really specific to those who sell on the classifieds and simultaneously list a gun at auction.  It ties up the auction participants who think they are in an exclusive bidding contest when, in reality, they are not.  Plus it screws the auction website, in effect, hurting everyone who sells/buys there.