How Is This Legal?

[Pat R]

Can a seller charge a buyer's premium on ebay?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1909-11-T206...AAAOSwHPlWcB9z

[ZachS]

Ebay Live Auctions

We’re opening the doors of traditional auction houses, giving global shoppers a new way to bid on world-class art and collectibles. This is the classic auction house experience, with an innovative twist.

Buyer’s premium
When you win a live auction item, you pay a buyer’s premium — a fee from the seller. The amount of the fee is based on the sale price of the item. We’ll always let you know the amount of the buyer’s premium before you bid — or you can check the listing for more info.

[Cozumeleno]

From my understanding, those are separate auction 'houses' that use eBay to set up shop and conduct live auctions. I avoid them entirely, but I believe they are able to charge the buyer's premium.

[bn2cardz]

This is Ebay's way of competing with places like Liveauctioneers.com, auctionzip.com, and proxibid.com. This allows live auction houses to advertise and receive bids from people unable to attend the auctions themselves.

[Jeffrompa]

Just look at their feedback

[T205 GB]

With that awesome feedback who wouldn't feel comfortable paying an additional 18%

[Shoeless Moe]

The bad feedback is from one buyer.

That aside, I've seen Hunt and a few others do this too, anyone every bid on Ebay then rather then the auction houses's site.

Just curious how this works when the auction house has extended bidding. So does Ebay then have that same extended bidding?

[JustinD]

I've noticed these becoming more common in the past year. I find them a little questionable as I have yet to see one with a reasonable feedback level. Avoiding them for the time being entirely.

[egbeachley]

Originally Posted by Pat R

Can a seller charge a buyer's premium on ebay?

I'm not sure what would make it against the law (illegal).