Is “User ID kept private” an easy way to shill?

[foptiludrop]

There’s an item on eBay I’m interested in purchasing. The seller is also the exclusive online retailer of this same item elsewhere, so I know how much the item is worth. Now, since the item is not the least bit “naughty” and this seller knows how much he/she needs to get for it to turn a profit, why list it at a penny with no reserve and then hide all bidders’ names?
Am I right to suspect that this seller is either shilling (with his own ID) or having one other ID do so in order to drive the bidding up to an acceptable dollar amount?
Is it more difficult for eBay to spot shilling activity when user IDs are kept private?

[tekobari]

it's not more difficult for ebay to spot, but it's impossible for another buyer to spot. if you really want the item, bid what you think is a fair amount, based on its market value, in a five-second snipe. for god's sake, don't put a proxy bid on it.

[blissmeister]

in a five-second snipe. for god's sake, don't put a proxy bid on it. Precisely~!

Also, is it a private listing as well?

[foptiludrop]

Thanks for the advice.

Nope, not a private listing. It's not a unique item, either, just a particular version of similar items regularly sold on eBay by the hundreds. I'm in no great hurry to acquire one so will probably watch and see what the final bid amount is and whether or not the seller ever gives/receives feedback for the auction.

[blissmeister]

It's not a unique item, either, just a particular version of similar items regularly sold on eBay by the hundredsGood LORD, you're not planning on sniping a deck of those extremely rare Sadam Hosein cards, are you? :eek2

/kidding

[z Irene z]

E-mail the seller through the eBay system and ask. Then evaluate the response. Since you're already suspicious, you've got nothing to lose by asking.

[peeep]

after checking their feedback left and received to my satisfaction, I'd do a 3 second snipe through esnipe.com. if the price was within my buying range.

[foptiludrop]

hahaha, you'll love this, Irene: when I first read your advice, I thought you were suggesting that I email the seller and ask if he/she is shilling the auction :D Upon rereading, I realized you meant ask why bidder IDs are being hidden. Heh... I just might ask both questions!


Peeepity! How art thou, and has Wicked Jon made a new board for thee yet?

[Toy Ranch]

I have bid on and won items when I was pretty sure the seller was shilling. Got a great deal and was very happy with my purchase.

[newslady]

As a general rule, I avoid eBay auctions where the bidders ID's are kept private. I don't trust them (read the seller).

[Rawbunzel]

I have wondered this same thing myself.Seems like such an easy way to cover shilling.

[Heartland Antiques]

I've heard another reason given by some sellers that they do it to protect their bidders from bottomfeeders -- those who will contact the bidders with an offer to sell at a lower price offline.

This used to be a big problem before eBay had all e-mail forwarded through their system. I don't know that it's still much of a problem, and I don't know if this would be applicable to the item Fop is interested in.

I also shy away from auctions when the bidder ID's are kept hidden.

[peeep]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Peeepity! How art thou, and has Wicked Jon made a new board for thee yet? <hr></blockquote>

Thee is hangeth uponeth doom by the thinnest thread.

Nay, Wicked Jon hath not ventured forth upon new creations in my stead.

How art thou?