Why are there a lot of bidders that have ***?

AlohaGirl01 · Nov 27th, 2007, 03:32 PM

It will be initials or letters with *** in between. I see it ALL the time now. Anyone know? Thanks!

bag-mania · Nov 27th, 2007, 03:35 PM

I think it is to protect the potential buyers' identities. It keeps scammers from contacting them with alternative "offers" for similar items.

moi et mes sacs · Nov 27th, 2007, 03:39 PM

yes it is basically to keep their identity hidden. You can see who won at the end of the auction. On eBay uk, you dont even see a bit if the username once the auction passes 100 pounds, you just see bidder1, bidder2 etc

AlohaGirl01 · Nov 27th, 2007, 03:40 PM

Oh! That makes sense! I could not figure it out at all!

michie · Dec 2nd, 2007, 08:39 PM

So, how do you know they're not shillers?

chloehandbags · Dec 2nd, 2007, 09:14 PM

^ You don't.

michie · Dec 2nd, 2007, 09:36 PM

That sucks. I asked a question about adding a BIN to an auction and all of a sudden, within a couple hours of the question (and right before the seller responded), there was a bid on it. I looked on the bidder's history and 5% of their bids were for the same seller. Could be legit. Could not. It just looks suspicious IMO.

Nov 27th, 2007, 03:32 PM	#1
AlohaGirl01 Member	Why are there a lot of bidders that have ?* It will be initials or letters with *** in between. I see it ALL the time now. Anyone know? Thanks! __________________

Nov 27th, 2007, 03:35 PM	#2
bag-mania Member	Re: Why are there a lot of bidders that have ?* I think it is to protect the potential buyers' identities. It keeps scammers from contacting them with alternative "offers" for similar items.

Nov 27th, 2007, 03:39 PM	#3
moi et mes sacs Science Geek!	Re: Why are there a lot of bidders that have ?* yes it is basically to keep their identity hidden. You can see who won at the end of the auction. On eBay uk, you dont even see a bit if the username once the auction passes 100 pounds, you just see bidder1, bidder2 etc

Nov 27th, 2007, 03:40 PM	#4
AlohaGirl01 Member	Re: Why are there a lot of bidders that have ?* Oh! That makes sense! I could not figure it out at all! __________________

Dec 2nd, 2007, 08:39 PM	#5
michie Nomo Mono! Location: New Orleans, LA.	Re: Why are there a lot of bidders that have ?* So, how do you know they're not shillers?

Dec 2nd, 2007, 09:14 PM	#6
chloehandbags Sofa King Sherlock Location: Hertfordshire, UK.	Re: Why are there a lot of bidders that have ?* ^ You don't. __________________ Still missing Phoebe... 'My boss, Ralph Toledano [president of Chloé], always says to me that people come to buy at Chloé for what it is, so it does not make sense to order a Chinese and get delivered an Indian!' - Phoebe Philo, May 2005.

Dec 2nd, 2007, 09:36 PM	#7
michie Nomo Mono! Location: New Orleans, LA.	Re: Why are there a lot of bidders that have ?* That sucks. I asked a question about adding a BIN to an auction and all of a sudden, within a couple hours of the question (and right before the seller responded), there was a bid on it. I looked on the bidder's history and 5% of their bids were for the same seller. Could be legit. Could not. It just looks suspicious IMO. Last edited by michie; Dec 2nd, 2007 at 09:38 PM.