EBay Sellers Admit to Phony Bids in Car Auctions
Eight eBay sellers were ordered to pay nearly $90,000 in restitution and fines after admitting they bid up products online to inflate the prices, according to an Associated Press report.
Eight eBay sellers were ordered to pay nearly $90,000 in restitution and fines after admitting they bid up products online to inflate the prices, according to an Associated Press report. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said more than 120 people will receive restitution in the settlement of the three cases, which wrapped up last week in state courts. Spokesman Darren Dopp said the cases stemmed from specific complaints, but the office has not conducted a broad investigation of the online auction industry and doesn't know how widespread the practice of phony bidding is. One buyer, Brad Clarke, 48, of Peachtree City, Ga., already has received a check for $3,089 after overpaying for a 1999 Jeep Cherokee sport/utility vehicle he bought on eBay from a New York seller in 2002. “I'd always been suspicious because it seems like an easy thing to do, to just keep bidding up,” Clarke said. “But I was still just completely shocked and very surprised.” Three sellers were accused of making 610 bids on 106 of their car auctions under the user name “Mother's Custom Automotive NY Dealer.” They are paying more than $28,000 in penalties and restitution, Spitzer said. Their lawyers declined to comment. In another case, the operator of an art auction house and two former employees were accused of bidding on more than 1,100 of each others' eBay items for more than five years to drive up the prices. Some paintings sold for thousands more than they were worth. Spitzer said one of the sellers pleaded guilty to a felony charge, the other two to misdemeanors. They were ordered to pay more than $50,000 in restitution and fines. The other two defendants were accused of making 170 phony bids on their sports memorabilia items. They agreed to pay $10,000 in penalties and restitution.
More Remarketing

Used Vehicle Prices Climb Higher As Sales Pace Slows
The higher prices at used retail reflect strong wholesale values earlier in the spring, particularly for older, more affordable vehicles.
Read More →
Wholesale Used Vehicle Market Sustains Moderate Rise In Values, Prices
Trends continue to normalize after a strong start to the year, as consumers contend with higher gas prices in the coming summer months.
Read More →
Commercial Fleet Sales Still Lead Sectors Despite May Mini Dip
The U.S. economy's continued growth and positive business investment are creating a favorable environment for fleet vehicle demand.
Read More →
How Connected Vehicle Data Is Lifting Fleet Resale Values
A vehicle health score could improve the value of fleet vehicles at remarketing. The path to a universal standard is forming, and fleets that understand the process early will be better positioned when it arrives.
Read More →
Wholesale Used Vehicle Prices Slightly Up In April
The Iranian conflict and rising gas prices inject much uncertainty into the future wholesale used vehicle markets, as higher gas prices soak up spendable income from vehicle buyers.
Read More →
CAR2026: James McKinley Wins Value Champion of the Year
James McKinley of City Rent a Truck was named the inaugural Fleet Value Champion at the CAR Conference for his data-driven approach to fleet lifecycle management and vehicle remarketing.
Read More →
CAR2026: Eric Autenrieth Wins Remarketer of the Year
Eric Autenrieth was recognized at this year's CAR Conference as the Remarketer of the Year.
Read More →
CAR2026: Lawrence Knapp Wins Consignor of the Year
Lawrence Knapp won the Cosigner of the Year award at this year's CAR Conference.
Read More →
2026 CAR Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence
CAR’s annual Fleet Remarketing Awards opened a reimagined 2026 conference designed to bridge the worlds of fleet management and automotive remarketing.
Read More →
Inside the CAR2026 Awards: Leaders, Legacy & What’s Next
Here's a look inside the awards ceremony at the CAR Conference, where industry leaders reflected on the growth, impact, and future of automotive remarketing.
Read More →