private listing bidders identity protected

[chinacat-6470]

Hi, I was wondering why there are a ton of these private bidders on the items I am bidding for.  I have been trying a few weeks bidding high, even sniping with high end bids - I always seem to be outbid at the last moment by like a dollar.  BUT when I look at similar listings I didn't bite on, they are sold for half the price! 

I know my big bidding jacked up their end price, but why does it seem that they always get the items for half price if I don't bid?  Are these private bidders resellers?

I'm just trying to get some nice items for my kid and I keep striking out 😞

[eburtonlab]

there are a ton of these private bidders on the items I am bidding for.

If other bidders in an auction are appearing as private bidders in the bid history, that is because the auction has been designated as a private listing by the seller.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/listing-tips/private-listings?id=4161

eBay does bother not hide your identity from you, but to others viewing the bid history, your identity is hidden just as others' identities are.

I always seem to be outbid at the last moment by like a dollar.

That has to do with the fact that many bidders bid at the end of an auction, and eBay only uses as much of the high bidder's bid amount to beat the previous high bidder by up to one bid increment.

https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/bidding/automatic-bidding?id=4014