Reply to "Bidding question"

You're missing something.

The idea is to enter the max (the real true absolute max, not your starting max or your medium max) you are willing to pay and only bid in the last seconds. The amount you win for may be less. The winning price is NOT the top persons max, it is one bid increment above the next to highest bidder. Also note that the price shown on eBay is NOT that persons max, it's only what it takes to stay in the lead.

Example, auction opening price is $1

• Bidder A enters a max of $10. eBay shows Bidder A in the lead, price $1 (opening price)
• Bidder B enters a max of $5. eBay now shows Bidder A still in the lead, price $5.50 (one increment above B's max)
• Bidder C enters a max of $12. eBay now shows Bidder C in the lead, price $10.50 (one increment above A's max)
• Bidder A really wants it, so comes back and raises his max to $15. eBay shows Bidder A retakes the lead, price $12.50. (one increment above C's max)

If Bidder C had placed a bid in the last seconds, Bidder A would not have had time to respond by bidding a second time, and C would have won for $10.50, even though his bid was $12 and A was willing to pay even more.

Note that you can not modify or cancel a snipe at AS in the last 2-3 minutes of an auction.