eBay EUB Shenanigans- what can be done?

[Auriaprottu]

I've been looking at a particular style of EUB for a while now and would like to try one out, but it appears that someone is shilling the price up waaay past what I think it's probably worth.

This "Santini" has a Buy It Now! price of $849.95 plus $136.80 shipping to my location (North Alabama). Fine for those who want to spend that much, but I'm not at all sure it should cost almost 50% more than a Palatino. I suppose the seller will attempt to justify the price because there's a cheap bow and bag thrown in with the bass.

So I kept looking and waiting, and a few days later, an identical bass bearing the label "Pro Concert" was offered up for auction with no reserve and only $90.00 to ship. I figured I might be able to get into this one for a price closer to the actual quality of the build (this is a Korean bass, and as such, is not worth more than $600 or so + shipping). Well, within a few days, the bidding has gone up to $630.00.

This is the most blatant example of shill bidding I've ever seen, and I'm inclined to think that someone in the employ of the company selling the first ($849.95) bass is making sure no one can buy the second bass without paying thru the nose. There are several bids by the same bidder within minutes of one another, and without any other bidders separating them.

Why can't/won't eBay find out who's behind the shill bidding, or at least investigate the first seller to see if they're responsible? If you look at the bids, you can see that there are asterisks between the first and last letter of each bidder's username. That may simply be a privacy thing, but only one of these bidders has more than single-digit transactions. It's as clear as day what's going on.

Bottom line- I want one of these basses, but I refuse to get screwed by paying almost $1000 for what is probably a $500 instrument. What have you TBers done with regards to contacting eBay about this sort of thing? Are there any laws against it? Thanks for any help any of you can provide.

[bassbob]

I feel your pain but keep in mind that a cheap EUB will need work one way or another. You're right that the Santini isn't worth more than $5-600 the way it is from the factory.

I took a chance on a Palatino and it paid off but I did put some money into better strings, bridge and pickup etc. The electronics and bridge on the Santini- Pro Harmonia-whatever tag they put on it don't look much different from the stock Palatino stuff and a Palatino is worth about $5oo on a real good day.

As far a shill bids, I don't know but I have bid against a bunch of other bassists on Ebay and sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. Good luck and I'd say stick with a Palatino or try the Ergo.

[Auriaprottu]

Originally Posted by bassbob

I feel your pain but keep in mind that a cheap EUB will need work one way or another. You're right that the Santini isn't worth more than $5-600 the way it is from the factory.

Oh, I'm completely aware that any EUB in that range will need an electronics/transducer upgrade and a setup (which I can do myself), possibly fingerboard planing (will have a pro do that). I'm taking that into account after the initial purchase.

I took a chance on a Palatino and it paid off but I did put some money into better strings, bridge and pickup etc. The electronics and bridge on the Santini- Pro Harmonia-whatever tag they put on it don't look much different from the stock Palatino stuff and a Palatino is worth about $5oo on a real good day.

I have Helicore Orch Mediums and an Underwood from my AUB.

But the bridge is very different. The Palatino's bridge is pretty much a standard shape (I can't tell from the images what size, tho), only with flat feet rather than curved, so that it fits into the block on top of the top. The bridge on the "Sanharpro" is a block curved to fit the arch of the body, with another contoured block sitting on adjusters drilled thru both. The pup appears to be seated between these two blocks. Replacing that bridge will be waaay more trouble than replacing a Palatino bridge, but I understand that up front.

As far a shill bids, I don't know but I have bid against a bunch of other bassists on Ebay and sometimes you win and sometimes you don't. Good luck and I'd say stick with a Palatino or try the Ergo.

I'm still looking at the Palatino, but the Ergo does not interest me at all. It's just a stick. I'm not hating on anyone's bass when I say this, because I'm really describing my own issues, but if I'm going to play an EUB, it's going to have to have some visual and tactile connection to a violin family instrument. I know that's shallow, but I feel strongly about it. The shoulder addition and the overall look of this bass is why I'm still interested even tho I'd be much more aware of what I'm getting with a Palatino. I'm pretty confident that it's at least as good as a Palatino, but I know it ain't worth $850.