on line auctions

[mrseyebright]

I don't know if this is the correct place to ask this question but can any one help me please.? what does "shilling" mean on the on line auction site mean?
I have tried googling but on luck. any help much appreciated.

[hc4361]

It is the seller bidding on his own items, or getting friends/family to bid on his items to push the price up.
In auction sale rooms it is called bidding off the wall.
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/community/shill.h tml

[Buenchico]

Hc4361 has answered your question perfectly in respect of defining 'shilling'.

But he's incorrect in equating it to 'bidding off the wall'. That's a perfectly legitimate practice carried out by nearly all auctioneers (rather than vendors or their agents) in order to push bids closer to the reserve price.

Chris

[mrseyebright]

thankyou both for your help.