[drc]

My mom has an eBay account but is 72 and isn't savvy with the process so once in a while has me buy stuff for her on eBay on my account. I swear it's all on the up and up when I win wool yarn for her.

I suspect there are some well healed collectors who aren't into bidding at 3am or are not familiar with bidding, so have someone do it for them. I think there are some very well healed collectors who have others do the whole buying process.

If it involves fellow collecting relatives, I can see a brother bidding for a brother or something like that. Maybe they want to combine shipping costs.

Jeff's is a good one, and I have no doubt has happened before. I also imagine there are collectors who are in the doghouse with an auction house and isn't allowed to bid.

If you are in good status, I don't buy #i (I mean letter i?). You would want an auction house to know you're a big bidder with lots on money, because then you will get favors and considerations from them.

I can imagine the sales tax avoidance, but that doesn't sound like a wise idea. You don't want to go to jail because you have a taste for baseball cards. If you are a busy seller too, you can get a state business/tax/reseller license and not have to pay sales taxes for stuff for resale. And I'm talking legally.

In conclusion, in summary and upon quiet reflection while gazing upon the sunset, I can see both legitimate and dubious reasons for having someone else bid for you. Anything I listed where I was involved is cataloged under legitimate.

Yes, I know there is no sunset at noon. Quit being so literal. I was being rhetorical.