It's been part of the game since the first horse was sold at auction. At live auctions, one of the largest in particular, it's obvious and safe to say most bidders/sellers know it. I have bid three cars through Hagerty, on two I was the final bidder and didn't hit the reserve. They called; I bumped it 10% and the seller took it. The other one a lower six figure car, I ended up offering 30% more, which was their value guide figure, the guy was buried and opted not to sell. The third one, I was outbid, two days later they called, the guy that won couldn't get the money, I ended up with the car for less than my top bid, the other guy ended up paying the buyers fee and the difference in what I paid and his bid. Point being with Hagerty the little green men could have shown up but didn't, I trust them totally. Of course they've insured our cars for over 20 years.

We don’t want online auctions to turn into another Mecum auction

Nothing more to say, stop it please

At in person dealer auctions for used cars, Manheim for example, Fake Bidding is NOT accepted by most knowledgeable buying dealers. If the auctioneer is called on it, the auction can be made null and void. It does happen and some auctioneers get away with it, but not with savvy dealers. It should NEVER be allowed.

The T & C expressly state that the auction houses can "advance" a bid. But to have a "buyer" bid with only the intent to up the eventual winning bid is wrong

Lately there has been a lot of dare I say B/S. One comes to mind. At Mecum, Aug 2025. Closing a bid only to reopen for a higher bid. All of this Happening within "seconds" of the close of what everyone thought was the winning bid.

Live auctions put a disclaimer in that says they may”advance against the reserve”. I tell people bid what you want to pay and quit. Sometimes they come back to you.

I've always thought that caring too much about off-the-wall bidding is pointless. Just pay what you're happy to pay for the car - who cares if there's only one other person at your level or 30 others? If you're worried about it because you want to ensure there are enough people at the level to resell it to six months down the line, then you're not really an enthusiast; you're just a speculator.

In live auctions it is illegal for an auction company to run a bidder on a no-reserve car. Sometimes they have to back up into a bidder when they get caught. It is legal for an auction company to run a bidder on a reserve car if it is stated in their terms and conditions. It is nearly impossible to shut down in all scenarios especially online.

Vehicle is worth the money! Whether chill bid or not! Doesn’t matter how you get there! As long as you get there

I’m clearly in the minority here. First, who really cares. If you’re going to be bid up, that’s a you problem. If the car sells, great. If it doesn’t, the seller may be hurt even more as the car is then stigmatized. I see a number of no sales on BaT that are unsold with a reserve only to be listed days later with no reserve. By setting limits, a buyer is really in full control here.

As cars become more expensive "chandelier bidding' hurts the occasional, or one time buyers, potentially putting them off. Keep in mind that a collection of "one," can be best collection.

In a perfect world all bids would be real, this determines what the market at that point in time, values the item at.

While a few private sellers play these shenanigans, unfortunately the proliferation of dealers is the likely culprit of most of this activity, especially on sites that use end-of-auction time extensions.

It hurts everyone.

I don’t know how you stop it. Particularly when the “other” bidder is supposedly on the phone. It’s amazing how often Mecum and BJ have to adjust the high bid downward when a real bid shows up.

This is so “I’ve only been around for five minutes” energy.

Buying anything at an auction is a show. Regardless if its a car or a tea pot. The game is simple, find your comfort number and sit there. Watch the room to see if real hands go up and if you are bidding against someone you can shake hands with after its over. Auctions are not for the weak of heart nor for winners most of the time. If someone can't stand the smoke, get out of the lane.

Have experienced it, hate spending more than I needed. But it is good for the seller.

Shill bidding has its place-during an auction with a reserve car that will not sell unless it gets to the reserve number, whether disclosed or not. Shill bidding online or live, in a no reserve situation, is truly theft by deception and should not be tolerated by any platform.

It's not deceptive as it helps the bidders in the game get to the reserve. If the reserve is too high, the car does not sell. It's the same for live and online. I know of someone that has seven (he told me - I've not confirmed) BaT accounts that he uses strategically. Additionally, I've had friend that have asked me to bid on a car to get it closer to the reserve and ive done the same. Keep in mind, the biggest fraud is in price manipulation online. It' costs less to fake a sale on a million dollar car. Its only $7,500 and if you have three or four of the make/model you can impact the markets perception of the value of the assets by selling two to your own account and paying the $7,500. It's happening and it's real.

The core concept of any auction is "willing seller, willing buyer" -- in the absence of someone forcing a buyer to bid against his or her will, they're a willing bidder, acting voluntarily. Where's the coercion implied in critiques of chandelier bidding?