ok Lawyers- Is shill bidding illegal?

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Posted By: Nick G

Not that anyone wants to be shilled... but.. A lot of the time MAJOR auctions houses have lots that consignors themselves bid on for one reason or another. While those consignors aren't technically selling the item, they are driving up the price regardless. This happens ALL the time. Yet people dont say a word about it. Ebay gets the rap because... well its ebay. I dont know how many ebay auctions are shilled but feedback would suggest that way over 99% of the people are happy.

I personally never got shilling as it seems to be a risky business. If you shill to high and "win" the item.. well then what was the point? A lot of items are so "special" that if it appeared in there listings again, it would be quite obvious.

As far as is it illegal? yes it is fraud. Perhaps im too lenient but in the grand scale of things its very low on my list of things to lock up people for and spend tax payers money on.