When to use a Private Listing

Private listings are intended for use when, due to the nature of the item being sold, bidders don't want their identity to be revealed. While there are some cases where private listings are appropriate, such as the sale of high-priced items or approved pharmaceutical products, you should only make your listing private for a specific reason.

How to create a Private Listing

To create a private listing, select the “Private listing” box in the Choose how you’d like to sell your item section of the Sell Your Item form.

Can't find this option?

Click the “Add/remove options” link within the same section. In the window that appears, select "Private listing", then click the Save button.

Bidding on a Private Listing

If you bid on a private auction, you'll see your own User ID on the item description page whenever you are the high bidder. However, only you and the seller can see you are the high bidder. Other buyers can't see your User ID on the item page.

If you have good reason to believe shill bidding is taking place in a private auction, please report it to us. Remember that although you can't see who is bidding on a private auction, eBay has a record of all the bidders.

Hiding the items you've purchased from other members

If you won an item in a private auction, other members won't be able to link to the item from your feedback profile. The word "private" replaces the item number next to the feedback for the transaction.

The only way you can prevent other members from seeing which items you've bought in a normal (non-private) auction is to make your feedback private. Please note that you cannot list items for sale if your feedback is private.