What's a private listing on eBay?

[ManBearPig]

I wanted to buy something, so i googled around and came to an ebay page and it showed the item and stuff, but said its a private listing and i have to sign in to bid. What the hell is the difference? Apart from having to sign in the pages looked the exact same.

 

[jagec]

I wanted to buy something, so i googled around and came to an ebay page and it showed the item and stuff, but said its a private listing and i have to sign in to bid. What the hell is the difference? Apart from having to sign in the pages looked the exact same.

In a private listing, you can't see the userID of anyone else who bids. I believe that it also conceals the userID of the winner.

In theory this is so that no one besides you and the seller have to know about that embarrassing sex toy that you bought.

In practice this is a clever way for the seller to shill bid right up to your max, and there is nothing that you can do about it. I suppose that if that price is too low, the seller would probably "win" the auction, report non-payment to ebay, and re-list.

You don't have to avoid them entirely, but the final price will probably be the same as your max bid. Bid accordingly. If you get outbid, walk away.

 

[ManBearPig]

But aren't the IDs partially concealed anyway? Also, it was for a buy it now item. I actually like the idea that everything is concealed, for whatever stupid justification i have in my mind lol. Though in reality in doesnt really matter.

 

[Gillbot]

In a private listing, you can't see the userID of anyone else who bids. I believe that it also conceals the userID of the winner.

In theory this is so that no one besides you and the seller have to know about that embarrassing sex toy that you bought.

In practice this is a clever way for the seller to shill bid right up to your max, and there is nothing that you can do about it. I suppose that if that price is too low, the seller would probably "win" the auction, report non-payment to ebay, and re-list.

You don't have to avoid them entirely, but the final price will probably be the same as your max bid. Bid accordingly. If you get outbid, walk away.

The seller can only shill bit it from a different IP, if they use their own eBay will bust them. Also, if they make a habit of "having a friend" do it, and they do it from the same IP on every auction, eBay will bust them too.