Thanx for the input, ill need to takeprecaution but that gets difficult at the bitter end, doesnt it? Wont that be when (hopefully) theres the most bidding action? You just wish for the best then, right?
everything can turn out just fine...the precautions suggested by me and others reflect things we have seen. a lot! just things to consider as your listing runs.
at the bitter end, you are at the mercy of what happens..there's NO TIME to "vet" and the risk that the last bidder with one second left is the "deadbeat" that aint gonna pay ya. on the good side, you could realize another $500 or something positive at the last minute.
these auctions are funny in that way. somebody out there may be the one whose Dad drove THIS car and they will pay almost anything for it. or, somebody out there may also stiff you in the end.
which of these people has/will show up? who knows for sure .. but while you HAVE time, perhaps try to use it to try to get the outcome you want - a fair price on a deal where everybody is happy.
so right now, you can see who is bidding (i dont use private listings BUT i think this is still true).. in your OWN judgement, is it a good quality group so far? good, quality feedback over time, no strikes, no negatives, etc.
one step in "vetting" is just looking at what you can see with the tools ebay gives sellers to do that. if you see a "red flag(s)" in the bidder group, you can try to deal with it in a number of ways, or you can let it run and see what happens hoping for the best.
before the end, in addition to vetting, you have other techniques. for example: since reserve met, you can end it early and sell to highest bidder (write them first though to confirm they are real) because you have your number. you potentially forego MORE money, but if that bidder is for real you've taken the deadbeat bidder risk off the table and got what you wanted.
questionable bidder leading? - you can bag them (cancel their bid) OR let them be and then wait and see who else comes to the party - a lot of people WAIT till the end to bid as their strategy to avoid overpaying for an item. there is a great risk in NOT vetting questionable bidders though!
last, and again..it ALL might work out OK in the end. or it might not. just consider using your remaining time wisely, as YOU see fit, to try to get the outcome you seek
