If you can make that actually happen, the bot will end up canceling your order and take the reputation hit. It's all a numbers game to them.

I remember reading an article before which stated that the bots are able to charge a higher price because they have a good reputation. I guess it depends on how much you want to make. Maybe the bot would pay $1 extra, but not $20 extra?

The reason this doesn't work is that it isn't like eBay. You are not required, as a seller, to complete a transaction.

You pay $100 for the book and get $15 back, say, as your 30% cut. Then they buy the book from you for $90 ...

/jk