The Yak Shack Forum

Some sellers run private auctions.

One reason is because they know that some group members upon recognising (or recognizing) another member will not bid again. Let's face it, an auction's purpose is to bring the seller the best price. Or am I all wet?

As an added plus, a private auction keeps group members from alienating others in the group.

A couple of our forum members, sonarghost and ztaylork, list private auctions just for that reason (at least I think this is why they do it).  Many of us will not bid against another forum member and by making it a private auction, they can get the best price for their card.  I myself have participated in an auction against another forum member, but since it was private, we didn't realize that we were bidding against each other until afterwards.  If I had known who I was bidding against, I would have stopped bidding much earlier and the other person would have saved himself some money. ;)

..... If I had known who I was bidding against, I would have stopped bidding much earlier and the other person would have saved himself some money.  :) :)

Yes, but unfortunately, another member of the forum would not have received the true value for his/her card. What we have here is a moral state of uncertainty or perplexity requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options (a dilemma).  ??? ::)

The bottom line however:
And then when the card is re-auctioned the new owner (us) gets a lower price because in a PREVIOUS auction it only cost "a pittance of it real value".  :'(

Just some thoughts. Not trying to be judgemental. :-X

It sure explains the rational of private auctions. :-\

Some seller have private auctions to prevent bidders from getting email that offers the same item off-eBay for a lower price.

Kbmum, I'm shocked.    :o    You mean there are people who would do that?  :D

I know, it's hard to believe that eBay would attract that sort of person! ;D

Hey Roz, if there's such a thing as a sarcastic smilie, we need one!

Roz, and a red faced smile  for when I put my foot in my mouth, which I do with alarming regularity.

Testing:  Angry  X-(   ,  Blushing  :">

I kind of like the private auctions.  This way, we don't know if we outbid one another so we don't have to feel bad.  Sometimes, I bid on something and forget to check who I outbid, and then get so upset with myself when i realize I bid against one of you guys!!!  This way, I don't have to feel awful about it. lol.  And since some of the sellers are on this forum, and they know we try not to bid against each other, making them private is the best way for them to get the most money for their item.

rns, I think that I agree with you. No names makes it totally objective as to the value of the card.