Each bid on an auction page is shown with a bidder number instead of a name. This keeps every bidder anonymous.
Why does my bidder number change between auctions?
On purpose, for your privacy. You get a new, unique bidder number on each auction page. If your number stayed the same everywhere, other users could follow your activity across MWS. They could see which shirts you bid on and how much you spend, and possibly work out who you are.
Does a bidder number show where a bidder is from?
No. Bidder numbers are generated automatically. The same person can have different bidder numbers across several items.
How can I find my own bidder number?
When you’re logged in, your bids show as “You”. To see your bidder number, open the auction page in a private or incognito browser window. You can see your bid with your bidder number.
Why do bids sometimes appear suddenly or close together?
This is usually Max Bid. Bidders can set the highest amount they’re willing to pay, and our system bids for them automatically whenever they’re outbid. It raises their bid only by the minimum needed to keep them in the lead, up to their maximum. Bids can therefore appear immediately, even when the bidder isn’t online.
What if I think bidding on an auction is suspicious?
We take malicious bidding seriously and work to prevent it. If something looks wrong, contact our support team with the auction name, and we’ll look into it.