AW: [meteorite-list] ebay question]

From: Norbert Classen <trifid_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:47:10 2004
Message-ID: <NCBBKMGDKLMGIBALJOFCAECKCGAA.trifid_at_timewarp.de>

Hi Michael, hi Listeners,

I agree with you, Michael: just because it is within the range of
eBay rules it doesn't make it legal. In Germany, the highest court
decided just this week that a bid is indeed a contract, binding for
both parties, the highest bidder AND the seller. A guy offered
a brand new car on an internet auction site, but he cancelled his
auction after he realized that he wouldn't get his price. He had
started the auction at a low reserve, and this reserve was met by
the highest bidder. After the cancellation of the auction, this
bidder went to court - and he got his right (and, of course, the
car). This judgement will affect the "rules" of several internet
auction sites, at least in Germany. However, I don't know how much
it will affect sites that are working internationally, such as
eBay...

All the best,
Norbert Classen

----------
>
> > In my opinion, what this seller did is wrong.....he's manipulating
> > the auction service so he doesn't have to take any risk.
> > Cheers, John Gwilliam
> ----------
> Hi John & All,
> I am not sure it is not illegal. Just becaus it falls within
> eBay "rules" does NOT mean it is legal. As I said, a bid is a
> legally binding agreement unless there is a minimum or a
> reserve - PERIOD.
> However, given the nature of eBay, your approach
> (flooding eBay with complaints to "Safe Harbor") would be
> the more practical solution here.
> I also agree that if we DON'T do so, this BS will escalate.
> I would consider it completely apropriate to warn people who
> do this with meteorites ONCE, then officially "SHUN" them
> AND flood "Safe Harbor." This is, as I said, in total violation
> apropriate conduct for an auction - absolutely, without question,
> unacceptable!
> Sincerely, Michael Blood
Received on Sat 10 Nov 2001 05:26:49 PM PST