Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What's up with these "Private Listing" auctions where the bidders identity is not revealed?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1980-VINTAGE-RICKENBACKER-4003-COLLECTABLE-BASS-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ7345433658QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is it just a way to keep the buyer from knowing that he or she may be bidding against shill bidders?

Or it may be a way for them to HIDE shill bidders...

Here we go again.

Here's his excuse. BTW I never bid on auctions like this.

...this is a "private auction" so internet fraud mongers cannot email the runner's up with their fake "second chance offers". The xxxxxx NEVER sends second chance offers, so bid with complete confidence! If you would like an "in hand" description or any other question, please call (XXX)XXX-XXXX.

I also list this way. It prevents bidders from contacting each other to work out deals in advance (a very common practice on both live and eBay instrument auctions, and quite illegal) and prevents the fake second chance offers and other attempts at fraud.

Obviously someone could abuse the system, so make sure you know something about the seller. eBay does have ways to know if the same people bid on your auctions without ever winning - it tips them off to shill bidders.

Good point, Scott, plus I guess only the high bidder knows if they are high bidder or not. The "seller" aside, I think this is a valid topic.

Good to know Scott. I have always been wary of this type of auction. I see now that they're not quite what I presumed them to be.

Thanks for the new perspective. Very helpful in my books.

I am still wary of this type of auction. Many times has this forum warned bidders on ebay that they were bidding on something that was misrepresented, and "Private Auction" clearly prevents that from happening. When I see this type of auction, I see the primary explanation as being that the seller has something to hide. With ebay, it seems that the buyer already takes the majority of risk with the "pay before shipping" ethos, so I have and will continue to steer clear of these auctions--why add to the risk? I personally am much less concerned about fake "second chance" offers (which I can smell from a mile away) than "first chance" auction wins from a dishonest seller.

I'm with you Les.....private auctions are not for me. Unless the seller registered the same day that the auction started, he's in another country to where the guitar location is, and only accepts Western Union! Then I'll bid with confidence! LOL!!!

Scott: Is these statement correct?

"a very common practice on both live and eBay instrument auctions, and quite illegal"