What does it mean when bidding against a "Private Listing"?

[dampf818]

Who am I bidding against when a "Private Listing" is shown?

[toby_le_pue]

You are bidding against the same people you would be bidding

against if the listing wasn't private.

It is the seller who chooses to make the listing private as you should

know as you have won several private listings in the last couple months.

Just scroll to the bottom of the listing and you will see the following.

This is a private listing and your identity will not be disclosed to anyone except the seller.

[dampf818]

Yes, I am aware that I have bid against a "Private Listing".

Maybe I should have explained why I was asking --- you learn and become wiser on how to use eBay to better benefit, as a buyer.

It occurred to me that the Actual Seller is the "Private Listing" --- and that he is pushing up the price --- and I'm going along with it --- unaware.

I thought I would get a quick response directly from eBay --- which I did not.

I just googled the question --- and the general consensus is --- stay away!

I continued with a reply so someone asking this question directly from eBay will see this and not need bother anyone with a silly question --- you learn "a lot" when you make a mistake.

[heidilynn0_3 · Accepted solution]

Hi dampf.. In my opinion it is incorrect to say ..private listing ='s shilling. Many sellers are using private for a variety of legitimate reasons.

Shilling is possible , yes, but as all id's are anonymous during the bidding process , possible is not limited to private. The anonymous process makes shilling difficult to detect but if suspected , report and let ebay deal with it.

Hold off bidding until as near to end of auction as possible.