AVOID THE SHILL

• Research the bidder. Check the bidder's profile, then check out other auctions this person has participated in. Is this a repeating pattern? Is the seller always the same? Does the bidder ever win the auction?
• Spill the beans. If you think you are dealing with a shill bidder — someone who is bidding only to drive the price up with no intention of buying — report it to the auction company.
• Beware of scam bidders. If someone contacts you directly, claiming to be the seller and offering to sell you the item immediately, provided you're willing to wire funds or send a check to a P.O. Box, just say no. That person is trying to lure you off the auction site, where you'll be completely unprotected.