what does it mean "private listing" buyers identities protected. Why does that happen

[dancingpartner01]

can anyone tell me why the above message appears on an item on which I am bidding?  Why is a bidder on a publicly listed item on an open site such as Ebay listed as "private listing; buyers identities protected", and they are a bidder?  What's the deal and why the anonymity?  Makes me a bit suspicious.  An answer would be apreciated.  So time consuming to get to Ebay and ask a question so maybe someone here can tell me.  Thanks.  dancingpartner

[sanyglozansk_0]

I've been out bided from private listers for over 2 weeks until I found out its people they know and next of kin that help them bid I'm a collector or vintage jewellery and it is sus when always out bided I gave up on it now but just watch those private listers. ...

[tazzieterror]

This topic is over six years old - the OP hasn't been back since. Instead of resurrecting long-dead topics, just start a new one if you're encountering a problem.

[schneb1066]

I am seeing that same 'private listing bidder's identity protected' message now/recently for the first time--so even if this is an old issue, it's new for me and I haven't seen a decent explanation. 

What's the need for that kind of anonymity? People's bids are already pretty anonymous because only the first and last few characters are displayed.

By removing ALL information about bidders, I can't tell how many people are actually active in bidding for an item.

It DOES seem to allow for manipulation by friends/etc. of whoever is posting the item.

Old issue or new, this hiding of who is involved in an auction definitely sucks--less fun to be here on eBay, less trust of the process. 

[tazzieterror]

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@schneb1066 wrote:

I am seeing that same 'private listing bidder's identity protected' message now/recently for the first time--so even if this is an old issue, it's new for me and I haven't seen a decent explanation. 

What's the need for that kind of anonymity? People's bids are already pretty anonymous because only the first and last few characters are displayed.

By removing ALL information about bidders, I can't tell how many people are actually active in bidding for an item.

It DOES seem to allow for manipulation by friends/etc. of whoever is posting the item.

Old issue or new, this hiding of who is involved in an auction definitely sucks--less fun to be here on eBay, less trust of the process. 

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It's a double edged sword - while it might help hide possible bid manipulation, there are many who simply will not bid on auctions with hidden bidder info.

The 'decent explanation' that you seek is that "protecting" bidder identities was an option provided before the user names were scrambled/hidden in the bidder list, so you could literally see the name of each member who was bidding. The justification for make this info private on some listings was to provide privacy for those wanting to buy items of a sensitive or perhaps embarrassing nature - things that vibrate, for example.

I'm not sure why you would derive 'fun' from knowing who is bidding on what.

[land.pet]

"private listing - bidder identity protected" . Beats me why when buying a sea scape postcard, I am usualy out bid by "private listing - bidder identity protected". Is this aomeone who knows me. Is it the same person ?????

[repentatleisure1952]

You are outbid because others have bid higher  than you... quite simple really.

No they do not know you.

Always read the date on a thread... this one was old when the Dead Sea was only sick.

https://www.ebay.com.au/help/selling/listings/listing-tips/private-listings?id=4161&st=3&pos=1&query...

[sandypebbles]

Other than posting on a thread from 2014

You are outbid at auction

The ID is private

Therefore you ask, is it someone who knows you (are you saying someone is 'out to get you' by bidding on a post card?

Is it the same person

A person can't outbid themselves

Others are can be collectors/like postcards etc without it being 'suss'

What does it matter if it says 'private'  even those who are not private, you can not see their actual user ID anyway, just letters *** and numbers

If you are outbid, you are outbid

End of story

[springyzone]

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@land.pet wrote:

"private listing - bidder identity protected" . Beats me why when buying a sea scape postcard, I am usualy out bid by "private listing - bidder identity protected". Is this aomeone who knows me. Is it the same person ?????

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How would it be someone who knows you? Land pet is probably not your name in real life, so even your best friend may not know it is you.

If you are outbid quite often, it could be from a range of different buyers but if sea scape postcards are your interest, then it could sometimes be against the same person, if they too have a similar interest. There's nothing sinister about it though, it just means they bid a higher price than you did.

PS This really is an old thread. I glanced at the date and thought 3 months, but it is actually 10 years!

[kh-jean]

Hi everyone,



Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.



Thank you for understanding.