impactor: what do you mean by a "private auction"? If you mean you are unable to see the names of bidders, that is NOT a private auction. That is a recent standard eBay change for ALL auctions, so it's best you ask eBay what it is all about. And I agree, I do not like it, but then I do not like a lot of things about eBay.
NONE OF MY AUCTIONS ARE SET TO PRIVATE. And there is certainly no shilling going on, they are honest auctions.
If you can't hack the pace of bidding, simply do not bid. Do not throw unfounded accusations of "shilling" around.
Thanks!