Selling high value items, especially cars, on eBay can become a nightmare due to the prevalence of malicious, mischievous bidders who seemingly place bids as a game, with never any intention of an eventual purchase. They continually spoil auctions for serious buyers and sellers alike, distorting values and causing real costs and expensive delays for sellers, to say nothing of the mental aggravation which ensues.

I see this happen time and time again and have suffered the consequences myself on more than one occasion. This practice would never be allowed to happen to such an extent in a live auction hall - but eBay do not seem to have addressed the problem on their popular e-auction site, despite many complaints. 

I realise there are legal hurdles to jump regarding distance selling laws and multi-national legal issues to grapple with. But surely they could do something?

For instance, how about a simple £10 (say) deposit requirement for intending bidders on higher value auctions, probably automatically organised via PayPal, and forfeited if the buyer doesn't follow through for any good reason. It would be easy to arrange and would help deter these pranksters who spoil the eBay experience for the rest of us.  

EBay don't seem to listen to individual complaints. Strength in numbers is the only way forward. Please sign this petition and pass it on to as many of your friends and associates as possible. Change can happen!!