What is shill bidding?

Shill bidding is when anyone bids on an item with the intent of driving the price up and not for the purpose of buying the lot. 

We always want to hear if you think ‘shill bidding’ is going on – after all, we want our auctions to be fair and fun. Please note this topic in our terms and conditions listed below. Click here to view our full terms and conditions.

3.5 No shill bidding

3.5.1. Except as described in Section 3.5.3 below, shill bidding (where the seller of an item at Auction, or someone colluding with the seller, places a bid in order to artificially inflate the price of the product being sold), whether manual or automated, is strictly prohibited on the Services and the Bidder User represents, warrants and covenants that the Bidder User will not place or permit to be placed any bids on any lots in any Auction by way of shill bidding.

3.5.2. Any attempt at shill bidding may extend the relevant Auction time and without prejudice to any other right or remedy of BidSpotter and/or the Auctioneer may result in the Bidder User's access to the Services being suspended or revoked by BidSpotter or the Auctioneer.

3.5.3 In a reserve auction context where the auctioneer has announced that it may bid on behalf of the seller up to the reserve price, such reserve-maintenance bids whether made by the Auctioneer, the seller or an agent of either, will not constitute shill bidding.

Basically, that means the seller or their representative (i.e. their auctioneer) can bid up to the reserve price, without it being considered ‘shill bidding’.

If you suspect shill bidding is happening, contact us using 'Submit a request' below.