1P Items On E-Bay

[scarlets fan]

Looking at some watches for sale on ebay, how can they sell items for 1p with free p&p. What is the catch. Most seem to be from India or China.

[dizmouk2009]

Is that buy it now or for normal bidding?

[dizmouk2009]

I can't see any that are free P&P. Most are set at + £3.74 postage. Obviously they only pay a very small amount for postage and packaging and hope someone bids it up.

[dizmouk2009]

I've also heard that they use other accounts to run the bidding up (this came from what seems to be a reliable source). Either way I think it is fairly safe enough to bid if you like the item. Just bid up to a point you're happy with. Don't forget to double check the cost of postage and packaging to your address/country. Obviously you aren't going to know how good the quality of the item is until it arrives - probably not amazing.

[EDDIE51]

It will be 1p starting bid they hope the item will be bid up to a price where a profit is made.

[scarlets fan]

Thanks for fast responses. If you enter watches; price + pp lowest first option, pages full appear. I guessed the 1p was a "come on" and the bidding would go up. Nothing to lose if I put my maximum and win. I would guess their auto bidding will stop when it reaches a figure to cover their outgoings.

[boxtops]

I think so - my 99p listings (started at that price because it's free) often attract bids nearer the value of the item. If these watches only sell for 1p, it's a risk the sellers take. If they sell in hugely high volume, they can probably afford to take a loss now and again.

[bazwillrun]

Theres plenty of peple who sell "junk" items for next to nothing.
Its to get an account with a high seller feedback score