Whilst I'm not saying this auction is subject to shill bidding, this particular seller regularly uses private listings, as in this case. There is no reason for using private listings other than to make it completely impossible (as opposed to very hard) to detect shill bidding. I personally treat auctions that use private listing with extreme care (and I'd personally never buy from this particular seller, but that's just me).
The golden rule is always decide that the maximum is you are prepared to pay. NEVER exceed it. NEVER bid in advance and use a bid-sniping service to bid at the very last second. It doesn't fully protect you, but it makes for a high chance that a seller engaging in shill bidding will win their own auction and have to re-list (with some BS about the buyer having pulled out...).
Thanks for the notice Stu. I'd be interested in your reply to Caudimordax's question but I assume it comes down to generating the appearance of a lot of interest in an item in an attempt to drive up the someone's bids in a way that setting a reserve wouldn't?
Shill bidding is simply using another account to drive up the price of an auctioned item. Often friends will bid on items to drive the price up. Some things to look out for:
1) Lots of early bidding and repeat bids from the same bidders. Makes no sense to bid early on auctions like eBay. None 2) Relisted items that sell for a high amount, means the shill bid accidentally won. Whoops. 3) Lots of small bid increased by the same bidder. This could also be a tactic for price discovery from a legit bidder. I have done this in the past.
In the old days it was easy to discern when this happened because you could actually see who was bidding on what items and patterns would emerge. Now eBay hides a lot of the useful information.
eBay is not alone in the antics. Google chandelier bidding to see what the big houses do. Online made it all the more easier to pull tricks like this.
Thanks for the notice Stu. I'd be interested in your reply to Caudimordax's question but I assume it comes down to generating the appearance of a lot of interest in an item in an attempt to drive up the someone's bids in a way that setting a reserve wouldn't?
Is there a sniping service you recommend?
Tapuvae has answered the shill bidding question. In terms of bid sniping services, I have always used Auctionsniper myself.
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