According to ebay the definition of a shill bid is a bid which results in the artificial raising of the price of an auction. It is often the case and often assumed this is the work of the seller to obtain more money for an item. There are far more motives than this simple premise. Established collectors bidding on auctions to maintain a certain market value. Friends helping out friends. This is especially effective when friend number one is actually selling the item for friend number two. Friend number two jumps in with shill bids. A cost effective way of ensuring a reserve price. Cost effective since the fee for a reserve is not paid. Keeping all this in mind begin reviewing bid histories on ebay and jackpot. Some interesting reading. In so many cases the shill bid is obvious. Trying to detect the motive is a far bigger challenge.

Tom