Bidding on an eBay auction is a bargain for the item you want. Once a seller names the starting price, you are up against other buyers competing for the highest bid before the listing ends. However, there are some strategies that can help you win and keep your wallet happy. Here’s how eBay bidding works.
Read more: Five Best Auction Apps for Android
Quick answer
To make a bid on eBay, wait for the auction-style list to finish, then enter the maximum amount you would like to pay and click Place bid.
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How to bid on eBay
Ebay auctions often have multiple competing bidders, but you can increase your chances of winning by adopting a clever strategy. Before you bid on an item, do some research. The goal is to find the list that gives you the best chance of winning at the lowest possible price.
Think about how much you are willing to pay, decide on your highest bid, and stick to it. If you are not ready to buy the item, never bid because you will be committed to the purchase if you win.
Strategy
You can see items sold on eBay to see the highest bids in past auctions for similar items. In addition, try using different keywords to see all the auctions currently available on the site. For example, try spelling “porcelain” instead of “porcelain” in your search. If there is a typo in a list title, fewer people will find it, which means there will be fewer bidders to compete.
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Note when the auction ends and how many users are viewing the item. A common strategy on eBay is snipping bids, which means people will try to jump at the last minute with the winning bid. You will see a lot of activity as auction-style listings near their expiration. With that in mind, spending your time is crucial. By placing your maximum bid in the closing seconds, you get a greater chance of getting the item. If you find that you are immediately bidding more, try bidding an unequal amount, such as $ 10.63 instead of 50 10.50. Why? Because people often set the maximum in even numbers. More on this topic in the last section.
Reserve price
A reserve price is an amount at which a seller is willing to sell an item. The way it works on eBay is that if someone doesn’t bid up to the reserve price, no one gets the thing. In other words, even if you are the highest bidder at the end of the auction, if you see the message “not saved” after bidding, you will not win the item.
There are cases when a seller will lower their reserve price at auction if they do not see too much activity. However, do not rely on these lawsuits to win the auction. If there is a reserve price in an auction, it is best to bid as soon as possible, so a lower starting price does not attract other bidders.
Consider downloading the eBay app to receive auction notifications and place bids directly from your phone.
How to set up automatic bidding on eBay
Automatic bidding is a way for you to bid on eBay while you are away This is a useful feature if the auction ends late at night, as it is difficult to monitor incoming bids when trying to stay awake. To set up automatic bidding, type and click the maximum amount you would like to pay for an item. Place bid. EBay will give you slightly higher bids to lead, but only to your limits.
You will be notified when someone leaves you so you can decide if you want to raise your maximum bid. When setting a maximum bid, don’t forget that you also pay shipping costs. So make sure you feel comfortable paying the total if you win the auction.
Everything you need to know about how eBay bidding works. If you keep these tips in mind, you can win the auction in no time Good luck!
Read more: How to search for a specific seller on eBay
FAQs
Can I change my maximum bid on eBay?
Yes, you can raise your maximum bid before the list ends. To do this, click Hit Remember that you cannot reduce your maximum bid on the list.
Can you bid for your own item on eBay?
No, this is called shill bidding and it is strictly forbidden on eBay If you or a friend or family tries to bid on your own items, eBay will block your account.
Is shill bidding illegal on eBay?
Yes, shill bidding is not allowed on eBay, resulting in a permanent ban.
Can I cancel a bid before it ends on eBay?
Yes, you can withdraw a bid. Learn more here.
Does eBay show the highest bid?
Yes, eBay will show the current highest bid in the auction-styled list.
What if someone doesn’t bid on eBay?
If the listing ends without a bid that meets the reserve price, the seller has the option to re-list the item or close the listing.