Cigar auctions

[veteranvmb]

Just wondering. Does everyone think all the cigar auctions on various auction sites are always completely legitamite in the bids. I know this is illegal, but I do some some peculararities(spelling) once in a while, that makes me so hmmmmmm.
Do you think they have employees who pump up pricies on their home computers, so not to be associated with the companies computers, and then if they do win, the computer program just negates the sale, knowing its an employee.
Not accusing, but a lot of bid sites,(in general) have been closed because of these things, but have you ever seen such a thing on an auction, and you just say hmmmmm, doesnt make any common sense.
I never see any such things on the jr site, but on some others I have said to myself something is not right. Could just be my imagination, or distrust or corporate america to a certain degree.

Much regards Jerry

[jadeg001]

I haven't noticed anything Jerry. But if you can prove it, call me in three years and we'll have us a class action! (I'll have my JD in 3 years God willing).

But in all seriousness, as you said many places have been shut down for this and it is illegal. Because of that I doubt the would risk it.

[Cigary]

I have often raised this question in my own mind having been on auction sites for awhile now. I readily see and recognize ID's on the auctions of the cigars I usually bid on. What is strange is that when you see the same ID's over and over you know these are legitimate and when you see ID's that hardly seem to be bidding on any kind of auction but just all over the board seems a bit strange.

I know this happens on Ebay where the actual person who holds the auction will come back with another ID and keep the bidding going. How do I know that? I know it because there was and is a consortium that meets with like minded members and they discuss how to maximize profits. Of course, this is a closed door meeting where minutes are never taken.

[Pugsley]

There's a guy I work with who sells baseball cards on Ebay and he has his girlfriend log in and bid on items he sells, but that's just a person with no connection to the company. I also doubt that any reputable company would take such a risk. The few extra bucks they'd get for the product just wouldn't be worth it with all they stand to lose.

[gjcab09]

Could just be overly enthusiastic bidders who get caught up in the process. I was pretty naive when I found out about cigar auctions, and I spent more than I should have on several items because I (A) didn't know the going online price for an item and was comparing the deal to a B&M price or (B) got caught up in the "fun" of trying to win a bid and lost track of what the item was actually worth and the relative ease that it could be had through any one of several other online retailers.

What you're suggesting may indeed happen, it just seems to me an unnecessary risk for a company to take, when there are plenty of excited bidders out there, all wanting to score the "latest and greatest" at what they perceive to be a great deal, regardless of the facts. Some people see that "opening bid $1" and the fever takes over and that $1 item turns into a $50 item with a retail value of $41...but they won it right?...So it must've been a good deal!

[veteranvmb]

Originally Posted by Cigary

I have often raised this question in my own mind having been on auction sites for awhile now. I readily see and recognize ID's on the auctions of the cigars I usually bid on. What is strange is that when you see the same ID's over and over you know these are legitimate and when you see ID's that hardly seem to be bidding on any kind of auction but just all over the board seems a bit strange.

.

What gary said. Plus one thing that puzzles me, is that I see a bid that starts at say a dollar with 3 dollar bid increments. I watch it for a day or two, and there is either no action or very limited action. It always seems to work that way. Then a bid comes in way over everyone elses without any automatic bidding on it.
Now if it was me and the bid was closing in 12 hours and the high bid was 12 dollars, and I was willing to bid 70 dollars on the item, I would put a bid in for automatic bidding up to 70 dollars, which would keep me the winner, as being first at every price level up to 70 dollars. Not a straight bid to 70 dollars.
It seems like some of the bids that have little action, all of a sudden get this highish bid, and no on automatic. That is where I suspect something is awry
And in response to someone saying why would a company do this when they are making money. If you read the news or financial pages, you see everyday, large money making conglomerates, doing illegal shenanigans to make a bit more money. Its called greed, and they want it all. Maximixation of profit potential.
Why do millionaires do inside trading. So little of it is caught, but it goes on everyday.
After hours trading was done all the time, till a few years ago. Can you imagine betting on a horse race, after knowing the results. Thats what corporate america was doing with the after hours trading. Just because they were big clients they were making sure profits illegaly.

Much regards Jerry

[Aaron871]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

What gary said. Plus one thing that puzzles me, is that I see a bid that starts at say a dollar with 3 dollar bid increments. I watch it for a day or two, and there is either no action or very limited action. It always seems to work that way. Then a bid comes in way over everyone elses without any automatic bidding on it.
Now if it was me and the bid was closing in 12 hours and the high bid was 12 dollars, and I was willing to bid 70 dollars on the item, I would put a bid in for automatic bidding up to 70 dollars, which would keep me the winner, as being first at every price level up to 70 dollars. Not a straight bid to 70 dollars.
It seems like some of the bids that have little action, all of a sudden get this highish bid, and no on automatic. That is where I suspect something is awry
And in response to someone saying why would a company do this when they are making money. If you read the news or financial pages, you see everyday, large money making conglomerates, doing illegal shenanigans to make a bit more money. Its called greed, and they want it all. Maximixation of profit potential.
Why do millionaires do inside trading. So little of it is caught, but it goes on everyday.
After hours trading was done all the time, till a few years ago. Can you imagine betting on a horse race, after knowing the results. Thats what corporate america was doing with the after hours trading. Just because they were big clients they were making sure profits illegaly.

Much regards Jerry

I believe what your seeing there is what's called "bidding software". A lot of guys that buy at online auctions, buy software that will enter their bid at the very last millisecond possible. This is especially popular with items that have a predetermined resale value.

[eyesack]

I've noticed this too, Jerry. I've been on C-Bid quite a lot this weekend, looking for deals on a particular 2nd that I think might find its place in my rotation as a mild smoke. A few times I've seen an auction go from 1.00 bid to 16.00 or so. Fishy.

Honestly, I wouldn't put it against a company to do this. I've thought of it, so they most probably have too, just they actually DO it. (I've seen this on eBay auctions all the time). Not very honest, but we, the consumers are still usually rewarded with deals otherwise not had.

[gjcab09]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

What gary said. Plus one thing that puzzles me...

Not discounting your arguments at all, the scenario that you describe lends itself to underhanded shenaniganism by the auctioneer. That being said, it's not inconceivable to me, that, to some degree at least, over-eager and inexperienced bidders may be accidentally jacking up the prices on themselves, especially on the high-demand (Opus X, Tat, etc.) items. There's one site in particular that makes it quite easy to place a high bid, rather than a progressive bid, if the bidder isn't paying attention to what they're doing, or if they're unfamiliar with the workings of that particular site. Now, whether that kind of 'accidental' overbidding happens on a regular enough basis to make it appear nefarious, I can't say.

To your point that greed is well entrenched in corporate America, you're absolutely right, and my own preference to believe that goodness and fair play dominate, may be blinding me. After all, if things were totally above-board, there'd be no need for a built-in capacity for errors in bidding.

[smelvis]

I wondered the same thing I am an old ebay bidder and seller from way back, when a 400 feedback rating was good. I then stopped over some bad feedback over duties and such, I guess I just had enough and like stress free life.

On to cigars and JR I checked the auctions and weekly specials often and bought some specials but the auction were always so close to actual price it seemed strange!

Then Juicestain brought me A Cohiba Dominican Puro and I had to finish my cohiba humidor. So I said what the heck and so far have bought four or five nice quality boxes including two Churchill puros for around half the JR selling price. I think I found the secret is finding the auctions that ends early on weekends and just bid what your willing to pay.

[StogieSteve]

My take is of the Devil's Site auctions is as it gets closer to the end of the auction people go on and "bottom feed." They see something that is going real cheap and they get in with their auto-bid and bingo the price runs up. Remember for everyone who knows what these sticks actually sell for on the site there are many that haven't done their homework. How many times have you seen stuff selling at auction for higher then the catalogue or even the quick buy price.

[kingback56]

Thanks for the advice, I'm new to this and it is very helpful