eBay-tighter security or just cashing in??

[Coxy]

March 2008
***Protecting bidder User IDs ***

26 March, 2008 | 08:00AM GMT

From 31st March, we'll start hiding the User IDs of members bidding on all auction-style listings on eBay.co.uk and eBay.ie. All bidder IDs on the Bid History page and the high bidder's ID on the View Item page will be masked.

The winning bidder's ID will be shown once the listing has ended but the other bidders' IDs will remain hidden. Sellers will still see all the bidders' IDs on their listing when signed in, and each bidder will see their own ID when signed in.

Why are we hiding bidder IDs?

eBay is an industry leader in helping defend users from the threat of fraudulent emails, websites and phishing attacks designed to extract confidential user information for criminal gains.

In early 2007, we began masking bidders' IDs on auction-style listings once the bid price went over a certain value. This proved very effective at reducing fraud from fake 'Second Chance Offers' (emails that are sent to bidders by fraudulent users pretending to be the seller and offering the item for sale outside of eBay).

Expanding the use of hidden IDs to cover all bids on auction-style listings will help us continue protecting bidders from this type of threat.

What about shill bidding?

Shill bidding (bidding on your own items) is a serious breach of eBay policy. We will investigate any reports we receive and take appropriate action against offenders.

Although the bidder IDs are anonymous, you can still see detailed statistics for each bidder by clicking on their masked ID. Our systems also collect more detailed information on selling and bidding activity than members can access, to help us detect patterns and accurately identify members who may be breaching the policy.
More about protecting User IDs

We appreciate that some people prefer to see all the details of who they're bidding against and may find hidden bidder IDs to be unwelcome. However, this is a necessary measure to protect all our members from email scams and fraud.

Regards,

The eBay Team

I know my thoughts and this kinda rubs a bit more salt into the wound.

Offering PayPal as a payment method

Currently, PayPal is offered on about 95% of listings on eBay.co.uk. Starting in late April 2008, we will require all sellers on eBay.co.uk to offer PayPal on their listings.

OK, so PAYPAL is owned by eBay. What if you don't want to offer PAYPAL as a method of payment?????

eBay now make money on the listing, money on the final sales fee, a bit more money cos the seller has got his mates to bid it up a bit more cos no one will know any better and then even more when they pay via PAYPAL!

[amanda]

Cashing in.........I hate not to be able to see who I am bidding against as as for shrill bidding when you can see who you are bidding against you have a good idea

[Jenks]

Just sold a recreation Sport Quattro bonnet to a chap in bolton who was complaining that the other bidder trying to win it was a mate or fellow car club member but they didn't know they were up against each other. This was good for me obviously but I did feel for the guy because not that long ago he would have known straight away who he was against and they could have decided between them who needed it the most.
The site sells itself as a trading community. How many communities do you know of that don't know each others names? (or usernames of course)
Seems lots of people feel the same about ebay, its tight arsed antics and the fact there's so many scams etc. Trouble is no one has come close to matching to audience figures yet so I guess were stuck with it for now.