Auctioneer Practice Exam

Which term describes a technique used to raise selling prices by inflated bidding?

1. Puffing

2. Trotting

3. Shilling

4. Salting

The correct answer is: Puffing

The correct term for the technique used to raise selling prices through inflated bidding is shilling. Shilling involves individuals (often associates of the seller) placing bids on an item to create the illusion of greater demand, thereby encouraging genuine bidders to bid higher than they might otherwise. This practice is aimed at deceitfully inflating the auction price, which can result in sellers receiving more than the true market value of the item. Puffing, on the other hand, refers to exaggerations made about a product during the sales process, which is distinct from the practice of manipulating bidding through inflated bids. Trotting does not directly relate to auction techniques and is not a recognized term in this context. Salting typically refers to adding something to an auction, such as fake bids or content, but does not directly convey the act of artificially raising prices through bidding.