[SO FAR $225.00 IS HIGH BIDDER.]

One of the main advantages of listing items for auction on Ebay is that potential buyers can better tell when the seller is telling the truth, and see exactly what is being sold. There is also a firm ending date, as opposed to the whim of the seller. There is also a certain amount of buyer protection, which isn't available in "private" auctions, which are 100% caveat emptor. You also get to see who the other bidders are, and if any obvious shill bidders are being used.