Hi Jim ----- I share your frustration over the lack of easily accessible (and/or understandable) rules on eBay. During my discussions with Jo King, she cited several "rules" which I could never find in writing anywhere on the site. She nevertheless insisted that they were in fact eBay rules (even threatened to banish me if I violated any of them).

For example, received the following message from her:

>While we have no actual rule that specifies users cannot interfere with other
>users' auctions, the SafeHarbor warning against auction interference is based,
>at least in part, on our Disclaimer statements:

>* eBay users may use available information about each other only to the
>extent necessary to facilitate eBay related transactions.
>* The use of private user information, other than as expressly permitted
>by these Terms and Conditions is strictly prohibited.
>* Users agree to refrain from "spamming" (sending unsolicited commercial
>e-mail to other users).

>It is also a matter of common courtesy to other users. After all, you would not
>expect to be allowed to stand up at a live auction and dispute the authenticity
>of the items being sold, would you? Or to be allowed to greet buyers at the
>door to the auction house with a warning that you believe the items are being
>misrepresented?

>It is all right to inquire by email to the seller for additional information
>about an item. It is not all right to gather the bidders' email addresses and
>contact them.

In another email, she said:

>I am not a lawyer, and am not going to get into a discussion of why it is not
>allowed for you to email other sellers' bidders. I am just telling you that one
>of the suspendable offenses is auction interference, which is defined as
>"emailing bidders at auction with intentions of causing them to retract or not
>complete the transaction for which they have contracted by bidding." We advise
>bidders to ask questions prior to placing bids.

Hope this helps!! ----- jim o\-S