What would you do if you realized that someone from this forum is bidding on the same fig cuttings you were intending to bid on, Do nothing and bid anyway, would you contact them, or skip it and hope for other cuttings of the same at another time?  BTW I'm leaning towards the latter.

Better question would be, Is it wrong to contact members to negotiate potential bidding and prevent driving prices up?

Example would be, "hey you are bidding on this auction that I really want, I won't bid on it if in return you don't bid on another auction of so and so". 

I'd like to hear other opinions on this matter.  This is the opposite of conspiring to drive prices up, which of course is just wrong.

If someone I know personally I would just not bid. Calling someone to fix price borders price fixing, not fair to seller and maybe illegal.

There is nothing you can do except bid what you are willing to pay at most for that cutting. Who knows how many of those cuttings the seller has and there is no guarantee either one of you will end up with them anyway.

I agree with Calvin.  You can also ask the seller if they plan on offering another set of the same variety.  Good question!

I think the main thing is if you've interacted with the other bidder before. There are a lot of forum members here and they have been around for different lengths of time, and it seems many of them have become friends. Having a previous history helps, but it would probably be an awkward conversation nonetheless.

In the end, the only logical strategy for any auction is to keep your capped price in mind and not exceed it, despite your interest in the variety.

If you were both businesses and you colluded like that it would be illegal.  In business, companies send 'signals' to one another regarding price, which can often result in a near form of collusion, yet still legal.  But outright collusion is illegal.  As individual buyers on ebay, I'd say it's more of a morality question than anything.  I agree that setting your price and bidding appropriately makes sense or if its a close friend, just back off is an option too.  Maybe they'd share a plant if two root for them. 

I had a similar question, where I was thinking about whether contacting a forum member that has cuttings for sale on ebay and buying outside of ebay, not for those same ones, but if they have more they want to sell.  This I seem to recall is against ebay policy, but not really sure.  I don't really have an opinion on it either.

I would talk to the other buyer and see about splitting the cuttings if possible.

I agree with timmy2green- bid like you normally would, not exceeding your predetermined limit.  If you win and you've bid against a friend, then, if possible, give your friend half the won items.  Seems like a kind, unexpected action to take.  Most likely the kindness will be repaid in some way in time. 

Hi,
Unless if you're sure of the second guy, he could still say yes, "I go for A and you'll go for B " and in the end, he might try to outbid you on B as well, or
you may get outbid on B by a third fella and get p*ssed if the other one got the auction A.
Ebay is public, I don't see how you can know all the bidders before they bid as some have the "bid on the last 2 minutes before end of auction" strategy .
Fix an amount that you don't want to go over and keep your bids under that amount.

Whatever you bid, you can loose the auction .

That is the basics about bidding .

If you know well the other bidder, try to talk to him BUT keep it private, and don't make waves if he gets pissed from your contacting him and hope he won't make waves.
Don't insist if he doesn't answer your emails .

... you should perhaps delete this topic :) .
And paddawan, my only advice will be: "bid on the last 2 minutes before end of auction"
Good luck !

Its the beauty of eBay to allow as many folks to bid on a product as much as they want.  Just keep bidding!  If you really want it, then pay for and enjoy it.

Price fixing is only illegal if sellers do it....buyers are free to do as they wish.   If it was me and I wanted something and the seller was a member here I would PM them and ask what they would charge for the cuttings or plants off Ebay.  Not sure why anyone would get angry for your asking a question.  

I would stay on the high road, I would bid to my point, regardless of whom may be bidding.  We have heard the ethical issue (ad nauseum) with many people railing against corrupted selling practices, does not the ethics apply to buyers? or is it one sided when it benefits you.

I do not care what or how you handle your ethical issues, but do not ask unless you want to know, if you are troubled, you already know the answer to your question.

Just saying.

Millions of potential bidders, it is not price fixing and not illegal for buyers to discuss what they are willing to pay.  

Personally I would bid whatever I thought it was worth and accept the results.

I'm far from an expert on this, but I phoned a friend, google, and here's what came up:

Thanks for commenting.  I had already made my mind up before I asked as I alluded to in the beginning.  I'm thinking they have deeper pockets than I, so I'll wait til next time.  It is my nature to look at all sides, my wife used to tell me I would have made a good detective, or preacher...

We enjoy lots of philosophical debates in our household.  I absolutely abhor the notion of (thankfully a few) people who say "well it's not illegal, so..."  Think Wall Street bankers who own the politicians that make the laws, who steal billions from everyday Americans and seem to lack any semblance of morality or empathy.

I was just getting a feeling for what is norm, because I have a hard time being normal :)

The phrase you are looking for is "a joint purchasing agreement."  That is different from two sellers agreeing to fix prices, of course, and JPAs are common in business.  Agree on the maximum bid the two of you would be willing to make, split the costs and goods obtained. 

-Ken

Great question.
I was raised going to house auctions and the like. If I were standing in a crowded auction with a friend and we both wanted the same item we would naturally discuss it and decide which should bid on it. To watch a friend bid against you while standing next to you would be pretty strange. Nothing illegal there just common sense. Not to mention saving you from an awkward ride home.
Just my two cents

I had something like that come up once where I knew someone that was looking for the same thing I was so we chatted and pooled our money deciding we try for it and split it... we were out bid anyway...

Nothing wrong with going in halfs thats a good idea.