Ebayers! When bidding for an item why does someone keep increasing their own bid in increments?

Question

I've seen this occur in several instances. Can someone explain this to me? Ebay says "shill bidding" or "bid padding" is illegal.

Answer 1

Child molestation is illegal...  That doesn't stop the freaks!!!

The easiest way to do it is to have more than one account... drive the price up and in the worst case you have to "purchase" your own product...

Answer 2

Newbs.

Answer 3

Well, they want to win the item as much as you do, so they will put in a high maximum bid.   By the way, if you would like to know a way to get money back on all your Ebay purchases, then send me an email.

Answer 4

People increase their bids in increments to keep from being driven to the highest possible amount by "bumpers," who are people that drive bids up for the seller.

Answer 5

well sometimes a person will put in a maximum bid amount. so say the item is $100, they might put in $200 as the highest amount they are willing to pay. each time someone puts in a bid after that, it increases their bid up to the amount they put in.