EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Hal Lewis</b><p>Why can I see who is bidding on some items...<br /><br />yet other items just say "Bidder 1" or "Bidder 2" ??<br /><br />This is different than the "Private Auctions" that we all hate.<br /><br />Is it something the seller does? <br /><br />Or is it an EBay function based on the price of the item or the number of bidders or the amount of time left in the auction??

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Steve Murray</b><p>When an item hits $200 it goes into "Bidder 1, Bidder 2" mode.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Hal Lewis</b><p>Ahh... thanks for letting me know.<br /><br />I guess I need to take notes of who is bidding BEFORE it hits $200 if I don't want to bid against friends.<br /><br />But then again... those may have just been "bookmark" bids that they were not really planning to increase.<br />

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>As a seller you can see all the bidders regardless of the bid level.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p>Hal, at the end the winning bidder's id is shown.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>jeffdrum</b><p>the potential shill bidder remains hidden.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>Exactly. I think this "hidden bidder" stuff is aggravating and nonsense and potentially dangerous. I have noticed some auctions lately which I have bid on where even a bid of $50 results in hidden bidder status although I assumed $200 as the determining amount was the general practice...

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>mr. moses</b><p>pretty sure that reflects a reserve price auction where the reserve is over 200.00. I mentioned in a prior thread about the tweaking and what I think is a response to their lower REVENUE.....

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>T206Collector</b><p>...there was an incentive to only snipe auctions -- and even before the advent of hidden bidders there was no incentive to do otherwise -- now sniping is a super-complete must.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Rich Klein</b><p>If a seller sets a BIN at the $200 or above level, the Bidder 1, 2,3, etc. scenario begins.<br /><br />Rich

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>chris bland</b><p>I have recently noticed some auctions that have the generic "Bidder 1" ID when the price is still below $200 as well...

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>peter chao</b><p>So with E-Bay's new "anonymous bidding" procedure, what are the key indicators to look for to determine whether there is shilling.<br /><br />Peter

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Frank Evanov</b><p>It is still possible to "view" the bidder's prior history. If the percentage of previous bids with the current seller is high, it suggests a shill bidder [although some people stick with certain sellers and they would show a high percentage of previous bids also.]<br><br>Frank

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>True Frank, but the bottom line is still that ebay has become less buyer and honesty friendly with the deep throat displays of bidders.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Misunderestimated</b><p>I think that they implemented the "hidden bidders" system was not soo much to address shilling as to deter phony second chance offers and other phishing scams. At least with respect to that problem it seems like it works based on my limited experience...I don't receive nearly as many bogus second chance offers as I was before eBay starting hidding bidder names. <br /><br />I am interested to see the results of the new seller feedback format.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Steve Murray</b><p>Never mind. Someone has already touched on this topic.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Fred C</b><p>It's odd how I've noticed an increase in final value auctions for certain items that I bid on since the bidders remain somewhat anonymous. All it has done for me is to refrain from a lot of bidding. Maybe this was an ebay master plan - they hide the bidders, allow shills and the final value fees increase.... ok, I'll stop reading conspiracy theory stories...

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Jim Clarke</b><p>Because of Ebays new format, I have NOT bid on items I normally would have. PLus I do not bid as high as I used to. Mainly from sellers I do not know. If I know them, then all is OK. I think their new format is NOT going in the right direction.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Ebay has also changed their feedback system- does anybody know what that's all about? I'm too lazy to read it, but I see it looks much different.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Marty Ogelvie</b><p><P>Barry,</P><P>The way I have read it the new feedback system allows buyers/sellers to leave feedback in 4 or 5 different catagories like communications and shipping, etc. I think the scale is 1 to 5.&nbsp; <BR><BR>You might get a 5 on all catagories but if the buyer thinks he paid too much for shipping, they might leave only a 3.&nbsp; </P><br><br>martyOgelvie<br />nyyankeecards.com

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>I just left feedback a few minutes ago and noticed for the first time the new format. It seemed the same and only asked for one sentence (it read "please explain"). I guess there is more to it.<br /><br />Will anybody actually read all this extra information? Perhaps.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Misunderestimated (Brian H.)</b><p>The new feedback is from the buyers end only.

EBay - hidden bidders??
 

Posted By: <b>Steve Murray</b><p>I figured it out. <br /><br />Item listed with open of $1.00 NO reserve.<br /><br />Bidder 1 bids $200.00 (or more) but because he is the first bidder his bid shows as $1.00.<br /><br />Notwithstanding that the bid shows as $1.00 it is hidden becuase he has bid $200.00.<br /><br />So, if you are one of the first few bidders on an item you know will go for more than $200.00 and you don't want anyone to know you're bidding on it bid $200.00 or more.