Strange Auction Bidding

[Sound]

Have noticed some strange results on Sedo auction platform, have my own idea on what is going on but would love to hear peoples views especially from Sedo

http://www.sedo.co.uk/auction/auction_detail.php?language=e&auction_id=13274&tracked=&partnerid=

Can some one explain how this domain name has 14 Bids all from bidder 1 and has now valued at $999?

http://www.sedo.co.uk/auction/auction_history.php?language=e&auction_id=13274&tracked=&partnerid=

 

[rob]

That is quite funny

What would be good is to publish the bidder usernames after the close of the auction. Then it would be possible to see any connection between the seller account and the bidder.

Likewise feedback style scores / successful transaction counts shown would encourage confidence in the platform ie.

Bidder A (10)
Bidder C (8)

would make me happy to bid, whereas a zero score may not

 

[fred]

Wouldn't that just be because the reserve hasn't been met and the bidder has chosen to increase their bid but still hasn't reached the reserve.


Although if it was me I would have bidded 1000 instead of 999 as the reserve is likely to be a round number.

 

[sedo]

Hi,

We're just looking into this, and will have an update very soon.

Shaun

[email protected]

 

[Sound]

That is quite funny

What would be good is to publish the bidder usernames after the close of the auction. Then it would be possible to see any connection between the seller account and the bidder.

Likewise feedback style scores / successful transaction counts shown would encourage confidence in the platform ie.

Bidder A (10)
Bidder C (8)

would make me happy to bid, whereas a zero score may not

some very good ideas Rob

maybe Sedo can take them onboard?

 

[sedo]

Hi Everybody,

As those of you who bid on domains through Sedo know, the reserve price is not shown to potential buyers. What we had here was somebody slowly inching up their bid hoping that the reserve price would be met, and then deciding the price was too high. I realise that this looks very strange when one looks at the screenshot, I went to speak to one of our auction experts about this before commenting.

We have sophisticated methods for rooting out fake bidders, and are strict in locking people from bidding any more if they are found to be doing this. Apart from being damaging to the domain industry, fake bidders have wasted a great deal of our time, so we are as keen as anyone to solve this problem.

As for rating bidders, that is something we are looking at and have already partially introduced for internal use. Any developments on this, and I will of course let you all know!

Best regards,

Shaun

[email protected]

 

[Sound]

Hi Shaun

Thanks doing some investigating and coming back with your reply.

Looking forward to you havening some sort of feedback score a suggested by Rob in a EBay style i am sure it would increase the bidding on all Sedo auctions..

What percentage of Sedo auctions end with a fake bidder?

How many are started in the same way with a fake bidder placing a bid so the domain name can be placed at auction?