Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Posts: 1,836Hi all,
Just looking for some opinions....I searched the topic and couldn't find anything previously discussed on this one. In another discussion group private auctions were brought up. It was thought that keeping the user ID private was the best way to go. The idea behind it was that other artists like to bid , but don't want to be known as bidders or hurt feelings in the bear artist community. At least that was the idea on this forum. I'm not sure that's the reason for all private auctions so I'm asking: Which do you prefer? Why do you go private if you do? Have you noticed its impact positively or negatively in your auction sales?
I personally like checking out past/ended auctions in feedback areas and private auctions lock out the item number all together. When it's glowing feedback I'm always bummed that I can't check out the "superb, spectacular, A++++" creation. Nosey...yes 
~Chrissi 
Posts: 3,177There is never a good reason to have private auctions unless you are selling your organs.....................well, that's what i think - cos i don't trust people who do.
People cheat with private auctions - i am not saying anyone here or anywhere else in the bear world cheats blah blah blah (we have had this conversation loadsa times Chrissi - it nearly caused world war three ha ha) but i personally avoid them like the plague even though i have sometimes dearly wanted to bid on items.
Private auctions are a real turn off for me, i prefer everyone to have to slog it out in the open for the world and his wife to see.
Penny's right; we've talked about this before many times. But I know it can be elusive to find what you're looking for using the search function here, so no worries about asking again! It's a great and timely topic.
Penny's also correct in saying that many people, myself included, like things to be out in the open for all to see. It feels reassuring. So we choose public auctions and feel good about it. Private auctions have the capacity, by merit of being PRIVATE, to "hide" shill bidders, who drive prices up artificially. It's a serious problem on eBay. Public auctions allow you to see who bids, when, and what. So it's harder to run some kind of shilling scam.
Having said that, there are certainly many very valid reasons for having private auctions. I won't go into all of them because I am limiting myself to, like, three inches of TT response nowadays (laughing here... wincing...) but one of the most potent ones is that private auctions protect bidders from being identified and singled out for fraudulent second-chance offers, after the auction ends. Briefly (running out of inches!) ---> sometimes when an auction ends, LOSING bidders are sent fraudulent second-chance offers to buy the already-won item, which can get them, and the innocent/uninvolved seller, into a big mess.
Does anyone remember where the other posts are on this? Maybe in the REFERENCE LIBRARY / EBAY section?
Oh, Susan was writing while I was. Yes, that is a reason often cited as to why sellers choose private auctions!
Newcastle, OntarioChrissi,
When I first started, I tried private auctions a couple of times, because a few of my customers said they would not bid against certain other ebayers, as they were friends etc. When I went with private auctions, I had even more customers say they would not bid on a private auction because of the secrecy and possibilty of shill bidding. I was really new at the time, and didn't realize how much of it went on, so I only use open auctions now.
hugs,
Brenda
Bears by JodiYes, I don't like to see the private auctions either. They confuse me. I never understood why any one would do them. But now I see by what you have all said that it could lead to a big mess. I think I will stay away from that. Are you all finding e bay slow this summer ? I was going pretty good then all of the sudden ........ nothing !! :redface: and not very many people looking either. Really strange. Hope the fall sales pick up :dance: :dance:
Just sending a sunny picture to brighten your day. Bear Hugs !!
Jodi Falk
From strictly a collectors point of view.....I prefer to steer clear of private auctions. Quite honestly, it helps to know who I might be bidding against. If I see someone who spends quite a lot on bears then I know I have to put in my top bid if I want to stand a chance.
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
