I live and invest in West Philadelphia.I understand the bidding process and the different rounds of bidding (non profit, owner occupant, investor), but I'd like to know if there are loop holes or back doors to the process that can be exploited to help me win more bids.Thanks!

Lately STR co-hosts have been exploiting a loophole by offering limited services like scheduling cleaners, handling complaints etc. while explicitly avoiding any leasing, marketing, or money transactions/ activities which would require a license. 

In markets where sellers seem to be all over the place in pricing, where wishful thinking dominates or where there are a lot of FSBO's and/or rookie agents whose market analysis leaves something to be desired, opportunities plainly exist to exploit market pricing inefficiencies through lowball offers.   

I think your greater offer may have signaled that there was a possibility of exploiting the situation, don't be too quick to cave in on demands, but be fair.

Some new type of reservoir is discovered and the technology is able to exploit it.

I don't care if they are legal, its a slimy exploitative business.

And now it is being exploited to the down side.

They asked for reloadable gift cards because he can return unused material, buy excess material and return for credit to future supplies or sell the gift cards outright....it's a very exploitable arrangement.You should not go the lawyer route....it will cost you way more time and money....don't cut off your nose to spite your face!

If you feel like you are being exploited, nothing is preventing you from walking away and finding a better company. 

The only way I figured out an LLC wasn't worth it for us was following the exploits of another guy I met with 25 long-term rentals.