These precautions are intended to cut down on bogus activity. The company also operates a 'rating' system so that anyone who isn't ethical can be easily identified and avoided. It's really hit or miss bargain-wise. Collectors flock to sites like this, so quite often there's frenzied bidding on a rare old item. But some topics attract less passionate interest than others.
Some items have no opening bid or 'reserve'.
Wish something apocryphal like this paperback would magically appear there. But now anyone with a computer can get sophisticated very quickly. Otherwise it sounds as though a splendid time is guaranteed for all.