Another e-Bay question (sorry)

[TEK224]

For all you eBay experts out there I have a question. How can you tell if someone is shill bidding? I've bought a few things on eBay and never really had a problem. I've been watching a couple of items for the past few days, trying to decide if I wanted to bid. The last couple of times I checked, the price has jumped. When I checked the bid history, those bidding the price up were new users with 0 feedback. This has happened a couple times with the same item. A few days ago a new bidder jumped the price up by $20 then never bid again. A different bidder did the same thing yesterday. The ID history said they registered the day they placed their bids.
The only reason I'm curious is that the items are going for about $400 each and it seems kinda strange that a new bidder would jump in on such a high price item.
Am I just being paranoid or does it seem kinda fishy?
Thanks.
Terri

 

[swilshire]

It could go either way. Usually to develop a suspicion of shill bidding you would see the same bidder bidding on the same seller's auctions. Or maybe even a small group of bidders.

It's not out of the question that a new legitimate eBayer would jump in and bid (maybe too much) on an item. Newbies get excited and overbid. I've done it myself.

Bottom line, if you suspect it and it's not an item you're in love with, just don't bid. Let the shills win and the seller is the loser in the end.

Sheila

 

[jwfla422]

Agreed, there really isn't a way to tell. I've gotten to the point where I actually request anyone with (0) feedback contact me prior to bidding on my auctions, if they don't and don't respond to my email, they're bid gets cancelled. I've had many NPB (non paying bidders) that were newbies (unfortunately it ruins it for the legite ones but if they contact me at least I know they're most likely serious about the auction).

Not only can they be shill bidding but they can just be downright "playing games" --seeing if they can win the auction planning not to pay or follow through, not caring it's "real" business (just a big challenge to win). I've had a few of those too! That really irritates me.

If it's the same bidders bidding on the same seller's auctions I would be a little suspicious...but in the end if you suspect a shiller I would just stay away from that auction. You're not being paranoid, I know it goes on.