Can eBay users who post to sell bid on the same item with the same computer?

No. The seller of an item may not bid on it from any account. You will get kicked off of ebay plus that is shill bidding and is illegal. Report the item if you suspect shill bidding.

No, that’s against Ebay’s rules.

Yes… they CAN . It happens all the time. It doesn’t matter what computer you’re using, just the IP address. I can use my same laptop to sell on one account, and bid on the item with another account, and I’ve got a better chance at getting away with it if I do the selling and the bidding from different IP’s.

I’m pretty sure shill bidding is not “illegal” as said by MollyMcguire. I never heard of cops showing up to arrest someone because they packed a few extra bucks on their own auction using that process.

Needless to say, it IS against ebay policy and you could be banned for doing it. Shill bidding isnt just used to drive up a price. It’s also used to buy an item yourself that wouldn’t have sold at a price you were hoping for.

Your recourse is to openly post about the item and the seller in the ebay forums to get community feedback and advice on ebay. You also want to report the item, and the seller for what you think is going on if you’re pretty sure. They’ll help out and get to the bottom of it (hopefully)

Shill Bidding is illegal and shillers will be prosecuted

That said, @whitecarnations you can report it, but eBay will not tell you what their findings are. It is quite possible the item you are watching or bidding on is going to sell for more than you think. I find that auctions bring in 10–25% more (they also cost me more via time & fees, so I rarely do them) in profit.

@gambitking Shill bidding is indeed illegal; it is in the nature of fraud and/or misrepresentation. An auctioneer or one holding an auction or seller at an auction may never use a shill. It is part of the common law and applicable in the whole USA unless changed by state code.

Here’s what happens if you shill bid. And they do know they cross reference the registered address of the account and IP adress. You get banned for a fortnight and you have to watch a special video and take a test at the end. Your partner in crime also has to do it. Then you get a warning if you do it again you’ll be banned permanently off ebay. How do I know such things.

@trailsillustrated Should have asked a buddy to bid on it for you from their home. Tsk tsk.

@whitecarnations reference partner in crime.