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

[AlohaGirl01]

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

 

[bag-mania]

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]

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]

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

 

[michie]

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

 

[chloehandbags]

^ You don't.

 

[michie]

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.