Questionable Bidding-Major Auction Houses?

[sammy]

People slam private auctions on eBay because they assume there is shill bidding, just because the auction is private.

What is the difference between a private auction on eBay and the auctions run by the major auction houses?

You cannot see who any of the bidders are in either one.

Whereas on eBay you may use a credit card to purchase most items and have a very good chance for a refund if there is a problem.

The major auctions houses do not take credit cards and thus you have no remedy if there is a problem.

As most of them state, "No Returns".

This is one of the few places you can let others know about bad items before they are bid on, either on eBay or a major auction house.

[allstarsplus]

Sammy - I agree with you on your comparison plus you have the added protection with eBay that they will investigate complaints generally when unusual or suspicious bidding takes place.

We personally stopped doing the Private Auctions because they seemed to attract buyers with no history that would bid and not pay.

I still think the best bargains exist on eBay---just do your homework.