As I see it, it is not eBay's ethics policies. It is our ethics that is the question here. The problem from eBays stand point is that they hire employees and build and maintain networks of servers and perform other services to their customers like the sending of invoices and other notices about bids, outbids, and winners of auctions. They maintain database information on the auctions like Feedback of the sellers and buyers, bid histories etc. This costs money for which they make a return from fees and commissions. A seller who trolls eBay for loosing bidders is using these resources and the product that is produced through those resources to profit on their own. They do not pay eBay anything for the service that they are acquiring from the auction listings. As I have said before, I can understand the problem when one person is selling goods and is paying fees for the service that is assisting him. Then someone else comes along and gets the same benefits without having to pay for that service. There is an unfairness there.

also provides the buyer services as well. They compile feedback files so a prospective buyer can weigh whether he wants to do business with a given seller. They maintain the Bid History database which the troller is using to acquire the names and emails of loosing bidders and how much they bid. They enforce against violations and handle complaints when a seller, or buyer, does not keep their end of the deal. You might be able to make complaints or arguements about how well does this job but that is a different discussion. The issue is still whether they are entitled to compensation for the benefits derived by the NON-EBAY sellers who are profiting through their use of the information in eBay auction.

The issue of eBay sellers selling other merchandise to their buyers off the auction pages or contacting loosing bidders and offering more chips is questionable and in some cases, I believe legitemate. The reason I say this is that transactions like this do help to build relationships between regular sellers and their bidders. I know as I become more familiar with certain sellers, I am more likely to buy from them again and bid on more of their auctions. This relationship then has a long term benefit to eBay. I bid on more auctions along with others and the bid prices go up. Ebay than makes more commissions. In the other case, with the NON-EBAY sellers, eBay makes nothing off these sellers. They do not pay any commissions, They don't pay listing fees. They may not even be registered sellers or buyers and therefore may not be doing anything to help generate revenue for eBay.

In closing, it is my opinion that, if a seller is so intent and willing to stiff and cheat eBay out of a few cents or a couple bucks in listing fees and commissions, How can I expect them to treat me. Could they be just as willing to cheat me. That is why I will not do business with 3rd party sellers who offer me items. I just won't take the risk of getting ripped off.