eBay Sellers Concerned Over New ID Safeguarding

eBay’s new “Safeguarding Member IDs” (SMI) policy is coming under scrutiny from users who are concerned it will decrease bidding activity on the site. In recent days, members began noticing that when they looked at an eBay auction, they were unable to see bidder User IDs once the bidding had reached $200. Some fear eBay’s new policy will have the unintended consequence of increased shill bidding by dishonest sellers, as well as decreasing bidding by buyers concerned about the lack of transparency.

Laurie Farnam, who buys and sells antique furniture on eBay, said, “No way will I get involved if I can’t review a bidding history.” Farnam said she has never gotten involved in eBay politics, “but I am now. I’m anxious, I’m angry.”

eBay Members Fear New Policy Will Inhibit Buyer Bids