Online Auction Etiquette: MIND YOUR MANNERS! (from Auction Watch.com)

by Dave Baranowski
6.8.01

In society today, there's often a real lack of respect and common courtesy. Why even the whole nation saw a presidential candidate sigh while his opponent answered questions during a television debate.

So is it any different in the online auction community?

Many would say no. Frequently, exemplary members of the auction community are forced to suffer the antics of discourteous, uncaring users who make life a little more miserable for everyone else.

Exactly what kind of behavior are we describing? It's not the type of fraudulent behavior that will get a person kicked off a site, but rather a disregard for social etiquette. And it's found at every auction site.

A cursory check of AW's Message Center underscored that fact. An amazed Yahoo Auctions seller shared one of his recent deadbeat bidder excuses. "It was a faulty bid," wrote the winning-bidder-turned-deadbeat. "I was drunk." The seller lamented, "At least he apologized."

An Amazon.com Auction seller jested, "How are your deadbeats today?" One seller responded, "How are my deadbeats? They're fine, thanks. They email all the time and say, 'Hi! I won your rare widget, I do not intend to pay.'"

Fortunately, the online auction community isn't as anonymous as the practitioners of pathetic auction etiquette might imagine. Boorish behavior is exposed on message boards all the time. People talk. They compare notes. They exchange usernames. They repudiate discourteous users.

To help you keep your reputation squeaky clean, we searched eBay's message board for shocking tales of auction apathy and inspiring tales of auction etiquette. Discover the kinds of antics that could get you branded as a real jerk, as well as the winning moves that will make you a shining example in the auction community.

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