:> I wanted a half-dozen old 1940's half dollars. :>
:> Well, every time I bid, someone with the name e**r, i***i, d***d, :> 5***s, etc. I saw several dozen names all 5 characters long with :> '***' in the middle. :>
:> I reported it to eBay (which is a PAIN IN THE BUTT) because you have :> to search and search to find out how to report shill bidding. :>
:> I reported about 6 cases. I don't expect this to make any difference :> at all.
: ummmm.....in August 2007, eBay changed their system so that you don't see : bidder's actual IDs. Instead, eBay masks the user ID with the anonymous IDs : you saw. Sellers can see the actual IDs, and the winning ID is shown at the : end of the auction. The idea according to eBay is that it enhanced user : privacy. You can read more about it here. :
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This was a change to the original implementation of Safeguarding Member IDs : that was implemented January 2007 that replaced user IDs with Bidder1, : Bidder2, etc.
: In short, I don't think any nefarious was going on. You likely just got : outbid.
: todd
The basic stategy with ebay auctions is to wait to the last seconds to bid. Constantly bidding to become top bidder only drives up the price. I use auction snipping software to do my bidding, put in the amount you want to bid and go on my way. If I win great, if not then it wasn't worth it then.