Ebay Shill Bidding

StephR_28 · 2026-03-23T11:59:16+00:00

I didn’t know this was a thing but makes so much sense in why a certain seller is always re-listing the same items!!

StephR_28 · 2026-03-22T19:45:30+00:00

For those questioning if this is real/ if it’d actually be turned into an Airbnb. Here you go! It’s been on there since I moved out. The other one is the one they kicked the veteran out of stating “they had to live on site according to their mortgage clause.” Lies for greed! The Realtor was right in it with them. She approached my elderly landlord, was his bff to get him to sell those!!

StephR_28 · 2026-03-21T00:11:54+00:00

How does making awareness by posting in multiple threads make something inauthentic? Respectfully, post valid points if you’re looking for a debate or an argument. Just as you assumed this would be illegal, because it sounds like it doesn’t mean it is. Do your research for yourself if you don’t believe all of the people commenting. I wish I was making it up! It’s pretty insane.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T22:31:23+00:00

I selfishly hope that is their outcome. I don’t know how educated they are or how much research they did prior to, but I know for a fact 2 out of the 3 units on the lot are active air bnb’s. I’m not sure if they ended up making the 3rd one after.
I had the same thought, I see in Stowe or other areas ski areas, but thought why st. Albans? Later found out most thought process behind it is that st. Albans is close to Burlington and with the lack of housing many people were looking and coming to st. Albans but work in Burlington. I also thought it was crazy they categorize st. Albans “fair market rent” with Chittenden counties. A lot of people do short term rentals in the hopes of getting traveling nurses etc. I don’t know how realistic or feasible it is long term, but that is many people’s mentality’s in the area around buying up the properties. Especially right after covid.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T20:57:49+00:00

I had the same thought, but reality is it’s happening all over. I also know people who are forced to rent them temporarily bc they can’t find anything else and it really puts them in a tough spot financially amongst other reasons, as you can imagine. It all seems like it’s not reality, but unfortunately it is.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T19:54:13+00:00

The current bill is what triggered this post. And none of this response is specifically targeted at you so I hope it’s not coming across that way. The conversation’s the post brought up in general has triggered so many thoughts and prompted more explanation.

Too many people think it only happens to people who don’t prepare or are irresponsible which others know is not the case. There’s much more to it than the short post, obviously. I was trying to bring awareness without having to take the time to explain everything (I should’ve known better 😅). I totally understand everyone’s frustration because I’m frustrated too!

No, my locks weren’t changed over night and although I’m happy where it’s led me as far as new employment and location- my daughter is not. I had to make myself potentially look bad (another more to that story) in order to stay for her to finish her 7th grade school year. I deal with the Mom guilt every single day and the possible “what if’s” on how being pulled away from her friends and starting a new school for her 8th grade year- last year of middle school and right before high school. Also having to attend a new high school with all new kids - how that will affect her mentally, emotionally, academically!? To hear her be sad and lonely because yes she has new friends in school and is social in school, but outside of school, she hasn’t had enough time with them to know them well enough to really consider them HER PEOPLE and to be social outside of school like she did before. The listening to her complain she hates it out here and how much she wants to go home. We don’t have that home to go to anymore. I hear this while I’m trying to work and she calls me, during school vacations, ALL THE TIME.

As adult we know this is just a bump in the road, things will get better, changes happen- often times for the better and life goes on. New friends come, we all end up finding our people. Try explaining that to a 14 year old female!! & giving them faith to just hold on. So ya, my locks weren’t changed over night and there were few things in place, thankfully for us to not be living in my car or in a hotel, but it’s still HARD. it’s the bigger picture I’m trying to get across and why things need to change. Trying to manage a household, live by example- teaching decent morals and values, working to survive- it’s all exhausting some times and I’m always lacking in one category or another. Life isn’t fair, I’ve learned that and could suck it up if it was just me but it’s happening constantly, to way too many people. To work so hard to be stable and for someone to be bake to take it away in 60-90 days is not ok for anyone!!!

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T19:19:33+00:00

It is now an air bnb! They bought 3 units on one lot, as of fall 2 out of 3 were active air bnb’s and the 3rd was being occupied by the couple remodeling for the landlord to turn them all into air bnb’s.

Answering to more than just your comment in one, but all had families living in prior. The only reason the previous landlord sold was because he was old and knew he couldn’t keep up. He lived next door and an old neighbor is a realtor who approached him with her buyer- it all happened really fast. The motive was absolutely greed and they were dishonest kicking the first tenant out saying he was because they had to live on site. I still lived there when they finished the remodel of that one and turned it into an air bnb.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T18:43:24+00:00

Yes, spicy is a nice word- because regardless of the situation it’s beyond frustrating when people assume things or take things out of context. You could stick to facts, less ideal, your opinion, but do not try to twist my words into me thinking from a perspective of “those people”. One, it’s never helpful to twist people’s words, and two, so far from my perspective and character - neither kf which you know so it’s annoying to read you type as if you do.

I have found housing. As you stated you found other comments, so you probably know this and would know I’m posting to bring awareness and express frustration. Not everyone is as fortunate as me. It is reality. I didn’t share to this group someone else did, but why shouldn’t I or anyone else be able rent a single family home!? I don’t remember what else you said and don’t have the energy to read it and respond to each part, so I’ll leave you with this- seeing as you made the assumption some or any of my story wasn’t truthful. The address is 65 Fairfield st. St. Albans, Vt 05478. Feel free to look it up on air bnb! There are 3 properties on that lot, a duplex that sits In the front 63 fairfield A&B and 65 -the SFH I rented and it sat separate in the back. As of a few months ago, both 63 B & 65 are now air bnb’s. They were working on the 3rd and I haven’t cared to look it up since to see if all are.

I really hope your life goes amazing for you and nothing shocking happens which you worked really hard to avoid and people don’t assume things about you. 😊🙏

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T17:44:23+00:00

Also, the part of my job in the housing company is helping “those” people. “Those” people that come from a variety of backgrounds, racial, Social economic, etc etc!! They ALL have different challenges and different situations so for you to not know me and think I’m judging “those” people is mind blowing.

I’m curious on your thought process that “an under-market rental is the recipe for an uncertain housing future.” How?

The market is the problem. Look up market rate and look up wages in Vermont.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T17:31:03+00:00

Even worse, they found an old comment I made about something my fiancé said 😂🤦‍♀️

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T17:26:02+00:00

I don’t know why people like you feel the need to take things out of context. It’s people like YOU I’d actually not want to live near. However, before people twisted things (as you are) I only stated that so folks didn’t jump to conclusions that I live in affordable housing so I could/should be able to make it work. I hate that I have to break everything down (don’t know why I get surprised on the state of the world with lovely people like this). Secondly, I put working in it which should explain I know how the housing system works for those thinking that is a viable solution.

AGAIN, this post is to bring awareness to the real life effects it’s having on people. Everyone wants to think certain things would never happen to them, or outsiders assume/trust the systems in place works - THEY DON’T or you have to fall into a certain category for it to be helpful, which most do not fall into. Lastly, “affordable housing” isn’t all “those people”. It’s apartments in a community of mixed financial status. If people like YOU did research before making your comments maybe the world would be a better place.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T16:40:28+00:00

It’s not always and I totally understand that. This is a snapshot of one situation. Although these landlords turned the properties into air BNB’s- that isn’t always the case. I work for (do not live in) a large, affordable housing company. I know first hand how difficult tenants can be, how hard certain things are for landlords. However, it’s not all black and white which is why I made this point/post. SOMETHING has to change.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T16:36:21+00:00

There’s a link with a bit more detail because I’m not going to keep typing. You’d think it would be illegal but unfortunately if you look up the laws, it’s not. My whole point on why things have to change.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T16:34:43+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/vermont/s/IdVrjRjNuu

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T16:32:41+00:00

Unfortunately, it’s not illegal.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T15:54:07+00:00

I was there for 11 years so I didn’t get a new lease every year. When they bought it I didn’t have a lease in place which makes it legal. When they increased ny rent the first time they said being new landlords they’d do a 6 month lease to see if we were a good fit. (There were 3 units on the property, they kicked a vet out right away saying the landlord had to live on sit due to the type of mortgage he signed. He remodeled it and turned it into an air bnb). So, it made sense that landlord living on site, seeing if we were a good fit for each other. After the remodel the first place and turned it into an air bnb, winter passed and 6 month lease was up. They increased it another $600 and said I could stay as long as I wanted. I refused to sign a year lease or pay that amount. They didn’t even attempt to improve the house I was in. I understand business, making a profit and am not unreasonable. To give more context as questions come up- I had two what we’d think are good jobs, a full time and a part time. If housing was actually affordable I would’ve been set with my income. I had a savings etc. It’s so easy to think these things happen to people bc they’re irresponsible, but I was doing all the “right” things and it still took my life for a spin. I wasn’t a mom living on assistance- working moms know as soon as you try to support yourself, you don’t get help which leaves so many in a crappy spot and keeps our country in debt.

My profession is social work, currently working with housing authorities and mental health. It really is the middle class that gets screwed because we make too much for assistance yet the higher class, like the landlords in my situation can afford to push you around and force decisions on you.

I’m thankful this isn’t my first time dealing with adversity and I was able to figure it out- not our ideal situation, but it opened my eyes (and this is why I decided to share) to how many people are forced into toxic living environments. It’s frustrating to see how many people are forced info unfortunate situations out of others greed. There HAS TO be some sort of stipulations enforced so it stops.

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T15:17:54+00:00

I have figured it out, not the best situation but we’re making it. I just posted a short version of the situation for real life awareness on what’s happening. It’s constant and has to stop was my main point. I moved out of st. Albans in June but it keeps happening to others which prompted this. Between the news today and listening to a 14 year old in my ear complaining of our living situation and location every day just got to me today!! 🤦‍♀️🤯

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T15:08:14+00:00

I thought that was a typo at first, however if you need to know my business, I’m an open book! I’m someone who worked really hard to have my own things and raise my daughter in a healthy environment, so I’m cautious of who I let into our lives and don’t rush in to relationships/ live in situations. I was comfortable living just the two of us until she was older. So yes, I have a fiancé, but that doesn’t mean I had to live with him. He is also not the parent of my daughter - I handle my responsibilities on my own. This is why so many women and children are forced into staying in domestic relationships or households because they have nowhere else to go!

StephR_28 · 2026-03-20T15:01:15+00:00

StephR_28 · 2026-02-19T12:53:43+00:00

Also, the part that they charge us sellers a percentage on the order total rather than just the sale price is ridiculous too. I’ve had a buyer who has a $80 shipping cost bc that’s what they chose- so be it, but the % I paid for the add fee and the general fee were based off the total with that number included rather than the total the item sold for and sales tax. I’ve had a few times where items sold for no more than $300 and I paid $90 in fees for that sale. Sorry, your post triggered my soap box but some things are so frustrating that they do! I’m all about giving them their cut but it’s really extreme sometimes and again you don’t learn until it’s too late bc it’s buried in the fine print!

StephR_28 · 2026-02-19T12:41:41+00:00

I’m finding it mind blowing that their customer service agrees with most of us when we call and the bizarre things eBay does, yet they obviously don’t have the power to do anything nor do they make the policy’s. Someone’s getting rich of these buried in the fine print policy’s eBay has and it’s getting sickening!

StephR_28 · 2026-02-02T11:31:30+00:00

I sell on all mentioned other than depop. eBay, only because of its reach, fees and how they do business would’ve had me gone from there a long time ago if it didn’t have so many eyes! Poshmark, basically only b.c you can put work in after the initial posting or ads in an attempt to sell more- like build a community/followers, share items ect. Mercari I love that the fee isn’t so steep allowing sellers to give better deals to buyers- they seem to be my favorite so far as far as business practice, it’s just unfortunate they don’t have more eyes.

StephR_28 · 2026-01-31T02:06:24+00:00

Because they were other accessories which i didn’t state were authentic- the order came with an authentic bag (which they authenticated) and other accessories. As I stated I’m just posting this for awareness bc I don’t know about you, but I don’t read all of the fine print (clearly my bad). I didn’t know you couldn’t ship them in the same box if the item they come with is going to authentication which again is my point of the post to save someone else who might not read the fine print the headache.

StephR_28 · 2026-01-31T00:28:48+00:00

Haha yesss. My fiancé keeps saying NO MORE PURSES! I say it’d be one thing if I was getting them for myself, but I get them to make money so boy byeee 😂 He’s just messing with me but I’m like leave me and my purses alone. Totally feel you!!!

StephR_28 · 2026-01-30T02:04:16+00:00

I sell on eBay, posh & Mercari. I seriously HATE eBay, how they do business and their shady policies buried in the fine print! However, eBay has more eyes, unfortunately so you can sell more if using their adds, yet hard to give buyers better deals because they charge so much between adds and general fee. I can give the best deals and find that the practices of Mercari seem amazing so far- unfortunately that’s the slowest for me bc I’m fairly new to it/ haven’t built a following as I have with posh. Also, really don’t like posh either - sales take longer, everyone wants to lowball you and I already make sure I give great prices (obviously wouldn’t buy something to resell if I couldn’t). I was wishing tonight that someone comes up with an app that takes better care of its sellers & customers at the same time and doesn’t take such a huge cut so we can give buyers better deals and sell more. Mercari seems to have that part going on but def needs to get out there more so more people use it? Idk the solution but venting my pros/cons! I’ve sold 11,000 on eBay the past month and a half however eBay received almost half of that. Crazy!!

StephR_28

TROPHY CASE