Shills? What are their typical characteristics?

Prethen

I've noticed a number of threads mentioning they believe one person or another is shill bidding on various items on eBay. What are the tell-tale characteristics of a shill?

TerrapinWill

I think it's tough to tell......I dont give it much thought, because I know what Im willing to pay and I will not pay a penny more........

Merc

The main thing is that you see a seller selling the same item a number of times. If you check the winning bidder and underbidder, you will find one name that pops up in many of the seller's auctions. It takes a bit of experience to notice it. I've seen shills in live auctions as well as ebay.

Shamika

In the following situation, BOB is the bidder and SAM is the seller:

1) If BOB has made multiple bids in a single auction but is not the high bidder

2) If BOB has bid on more than one item that SAM is selling whether or not BOB is the high bidder

3) If BOB has won numerous auctions that SAM has held

4) If you not only see that BOB is bidding on SAM's auctions, but that SAM is bidding on BOB's auctions

Rule #1 only applies if the BOB understands what proxy bidding REALLY means. BOB may in fact be a new bidder who simply keeps putting in the minimum bid until he either gives up or becomes the high bidder.

Rule #2 may not apply if SAM just so happens to be selling multiple items that BOB is interested in. For instance, I collect Buffalo nickels and I might bid on several items from the same seller if he has a bunch of Buffalo nickels up for auction that I like.

Rule #3 may not apply if BOB just so happens to think SAM is a high quality seller or frequently sells items that BOB wants.

When you see an auction where 2 or 3 of the first three rules occur OR you happen to notice rule #4 is occuring, you can be pretty certain that BOB and SAM are in fact the same guy.

tlhoy

Here is an idiot shill bidder, both bidder & seller were kicked off eBay a couple of weeks ago!

Glenn

Neptune

cheaters, liars, thieves and thugs.

TUMUSS

<< <i>In the following situation, BOB is the bidder and SAM is the seller:

1) If BOB has made multiple bids in a single auction but is not the high bidder

2) If BOB has bid on more than one item that SAM is selling whether or not BOB is the high bidder

3) If BOB has won numerous auctions that SAM has held

4) If you not only see that BOB is bidding on SAM's auctions, but that SAM is bidding on BOB's auctions

Rule #1 only applies if the BOB understands what proxy bidding REALLY means. BOB may in fact be a new bidder who simply keeps putting in the minimum bid until he either gives up or becomes the high bidder.

Rule #2 may not apply if SAM just so happens to be selling multiple items that BOB is interested in. For instance, I collect Buffalo nickels and I might bid on several items from the same seller if he has a bunch of Buffalo nickels up for auction that I like.

Rule #3 may not apply if BOB just so happens to think SAM is a high quality seller or frequently sells items that BOB wants.

When you see an auction where 2 or 3 of the first three rules occur OR you happen to notice rule #4 is occuring, you can be pretty certain that BOB and SAM are in fact the same guy. >>



I'm going to stay away from SAM's auctions...and block BOB as a bidder!

(well put!)