Ian G.
It is a shill bidding scam
It is a shill bidding scam. Unfortunately some places like AZ allow shill bidding despite most customers not knowing what it is - fraud. The company is allowed to use fake accounts and run up bid prices. People think they are bidding against a buyer, but its often a fake account that does not need to be registered to pay the end bid amount, like real customers have to. They don't pay, and the item is simply cycled back in the next week until someone is tricked into paying a higher amount. Often you see bid amount over the retail price. This and the items are often not as described or pictured. Previous AZ attorney General office have stepped in on such fraud, the current one does not. Hopefully the FTC or someone else will.
Response from localauctions.comSep 15, 2026
Hello, Our terms and conditions that you agree to when you create/bid on any item on your account states this about shill bidding. "Engage in shill bidding, (i) which is the act of bidding on your own Assets, either directly or indirectly, in an effort to artificially raise the price at which your Assets will eventually sell; (ii) which includes, but is not limited to, criminal or civil violations of applicable law as well as knowingly directing or allowing a third party to perform the artificial bidding against other legitimate bidders in the auction or sales event; and (iii) provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing and where permitted by law, LocalAuctions.com, LLC may enter bids on a Seller’s behalf using one or more bidder numbers up to the reserve price on any Assets in any auction conducted with reserve." We, like any other auction, state this in our terms and conditions that each customer must read/agree to prior to creating an account/bidding. If you have any other questions regarding our terms and conditions please feel free to contact us. 602-875-7336 Thank you