question for experienced ebay sellers

[ClementeFanOh]

Good morning net54-

I've got a question for those who sell a lot on ebay. I'm a 25 year ebay
member whose activity is 99% buying, and I don't use the venue much
for reasons many of us have discussed in great detail. Here's the scenario
I need some advice about...

Okay, I am looking at a very high grade, scarce comic that is running in
true auction format. Seller has a 4 figure 100% positive feedback rating.
Problem is the bidders' identities are protected in EVERY one of his auctions.
When I inquired- I fear shill bidding in these auctions- he said the "private
listing" option is always checked when he lists new items, he's not doing it
with purpose. I don't sell so I don't know how to verify this.

Question 1- do any of you experience this situation as sellers on ebay?

Question 2- if this seller is legitimate in his answer, can he change the
current auction so that bidder feedback ratings are known?

Please stay on topic if you reply. To anticipate a couple responses, there
aren't any other copies of the comic in this condition that I could buy
instead. Next, I haven't bid and am naturally cautious- that's why I'm
reaching out to you. I prefer PMs, as conversations tend to stay on point
that way. Looking for specific best information on this issue. Thanks!

Trent King

[bnorth]

Just bid what you are comfortable bidding and don't worry about something beyond your control.

The seller could have hit the "private listings" option by accident. I know I have activated options I did not want on eBay. I usually spend the time to figure out how to turn them off. Maybe this seller don't care about private listings thing or feedback like 99.9% of people. Maybe they turned it on for a reason but really why care?

Best of luck getting it at a reasonable price for what it is.

[ClementeFanOh]

bnorth- the fact that I posed the question, indicates that I do care. With specific regard to my question for experienced sellers, can you advise if it’s easy to activate “private listing” as an option? Or does a seller have to make an effort to do so? I’m also aware eBay doesn’t make it easy for anyone but themselves on the site. Is is possible that auctions that reach a specific financial threshold, now convert to “private listing” of bidders? In fairness to the Seller he responded promptly, I’m just seeking specific advice from current sellers. Trent King

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

bnorth- the fact that I posed the question, indicates that I do care. With specific regard to my question for experienced sellers, can you advise if it’s easy to activate “private listing” as an option? Or does a seller have to make an effort to do so? I’m also aware eBay doesn’t make it easy for anyone but themselves on the site. Is is possible that auctions that reach a specific financial threshold, now convert to “private listing” of bidders? In fairness to the Seller he responded promptly, I’m just seeking specific advice from current sellers. Trent King

We have both been on eBay a very long time. I have noticed eBay will just activate an option sometimes. I have had it done many times over the years. So maybe he done it and maybe he didn't there is no way to tell. I have been an active seller the whole time I have been on eBay. I don't sell much but regularly sell a few items. I probably have 20 or so things listed now.

If you care that much just avoid the listing. There are many reasons to have private listings and being a scumbag isn't always the reason. Best of luck on whaterver you decide is best for you.

[D. Bergin]

I've never used a "Private Bidder" listing. I just listed a bunch of items for auction yesterday and I just went to look at my last listing which was still open, and it took me awhile to even find the "Private Bidder" option. It was hidden behind another tab.

I have seen many legitimate sellers use that option sporadically. Say if they listed something adult oriented, like a vintage Playboy or Penthouse magazine, and then turned it off for like Sports Cards, Comic Books, etc....

It would be easy to forget you had it on, and for it to carry over into subsequent listings.

Would be impossible for me to know your guys intentions, without knowing his history of listing. Was this unusual for his M.O., or has he been doing it for years? If all his listings for an extended period of time are "Private", I'd have a hard time believing he had no idea all along.

Personally, I'd be wary of "Private Bidder Auctions" on Ebay...though to look at it another way...aren't basically all Auction house auctions Private Bidder Auctions? I just looked at the bid history of a random auction on the Lelands site and they're all Private ID's.

[ClementeFanOh]

Dave- thank you for the insight, especially on the steps needed to get to the Private Listings tab. The specific seller has extensive comic sales history, so his current auctions aren’t an anomaly. To your final point, I’ve seen so much absurd or suspicious behavior on eBay that I suppose I’m prepared to expect the worst. I ended up sending him a second message, asking him to disable private listings. I can’t think of a valid reason on eBay to hide the bidder Feedback- the idea that sellers activate to protect bidder privacy is absurd, their privacy is protected from the start. Thanks again, Trent