Probstein’s New Platform Snype: Can Its Features Prevent Shill Bidding?
- Xavier Guerrez
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Often questioned for shill bidding, well-known as eBay’s most prolific sports card seller—boasting over $850 million in lifetime sales—Rick Probstein has unveiled Snype, a live auction platform poised to redefine collectibles commerce.
Rick has often shared his frustration with payments canceled on his eBay auctions, and vice versa—buyers on probstein123 have seen their won auctions canceled and refunded without reason. As infrequently as these incidents occurred, they’re detrimental to both parties.
With 20 years of industry dominance, Rick has been working on merging transactional efficiency with entertainment, addressing gaps he observed in existing platforms like eBay Live and Whatnot.
Consignments, live auctions, live events (streaming), Buy It Now, and grading—Snype aims to pack all the favorite features of today’s market into one site. But there are a few questionable takes, like the automatic grading requirement for raw cards above $100 for regular bidders (‘Super Bydders’ can opt out), or the extended bidding system that definitely favors sellers.
Today, we wanted to share a quick look at the platform features and review Rick’s latest answers about how he intends to circumvent shill bidding using Snype’s special features.
How Does Snype Work?
Probstein Consignment (Live Now)
As Snype’s official consignor, Probstein offers seamless integration: items retain the Probstein brand, starting at $10 (Weekly Auctions) or $25 (Live Auctions), customizable upon request. Sellers receive payouts the next business day post-sale, can opt into Live Auctions during submission, and track sales via Snype’s Seller Hub.
Live Auctions (Launching Tuesday, November 18, 2025)
Real-time, streamed bidding with pre-approved sellers. Buyers preview items, place pre-bids, and join live sessions. Payments are split:
Regular Bydders: Instant payment via credit card.
Super Bydders: Bank transfers (ACH/SEPA/SWIFT).
All sales undergo Snype’s authentication pipeline, with sellers receiving automated post-sale summaries.
Weekly Auctions (Live Now)
Timed listings (1–30 days) featuring Next, Max, or Snype bids. Last-minute bids trigger 15-second extensions. Auctions under 5 days require express shipping. Non-Super Sellers need pre-approval to ensure compliance.
Live Events (Launching Monday, November 17, 2025) This will be the live-streaming segment of the platform. Earlier this year, Rick has mentioned Snype will feature curated live events (e.g., “Wemby Wednesdays”), weeks-long item previews, and studio-quality streams to heighten anticipation and engagement. “We’re building a better mousetrap,” Probstein said, emphasizing streamlined logistics: sellers ship directly to Snype for fulfillment, cutting costs and delays.
Super Bydder Program (Active)
Active buyers gain deferred payments (7-day window), raw card grading bypass ($100+), exclusive auction access, and status perks. Eligibility requires consistent purchases, reliable payment history, and verified banking details.
Super Seller Program (Active)
High-volume sellers list instantly without pre-approval. Qualification hinges on strong sales history, low dispute rates, and compliance. All items pass Snype’s fulfillment process for buyer protection.
Bidding Formats
Next Byd: Manual incremental bids.
Max Byd: Set a ceiling—Snype auto-bids up to your limit.
Snype Byd: Schedule last-second automated bids, triggering competitive extensions.
Upcoming Features
Buy It Now (BIN)
Authenticity: Snype has announced a partnership with CGC. Raw cards over $100 will automatically be graded for regular bidders, and only Super Bydders can opt out. The cost is $12 per card.
Byd Extensions: Any bidd placed within the final 15 seconds of the auction will reset the clock to 15 seconds.
How Snype Aims to Prevent Shill Bidding
In a recent YouTube interview with The Sports Card Dad, Probstein emphasized that high-value auctions will be exclusive to Super Bydders. To qualify, users must pass rigorous screening: verified banking details, consistent purchase history, and reliable payment behavior. This creates a “safety net” of trusted participants, reducing anonymous or fraudulent accounts that enable shill bidding.
“By restricting high-stakes auctions to Super Bydders—users with proven track records—we ensure accountability on both sides,” Probstein explained. The platform’s focus on transparency (previewable items, auditable bid histories) and its tiered user system aim to foster fair, community-driven auctions.
The Verdict
Snype’s structured programs, authentication pipeline, and tiered access for verified users reflect a proactive approach to curbing shill bidding. While its success hinges on adoption and enforcement, Probstein’s blend of entertainment, efficiency, and accountability could set a new standard for live auction integrity.
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