A few questions

incuvent114Member

My apologies if these have been thoroughly answered elsewhere, I know it can be irritating when newbies post questions that have been answered over and over again, but I'm having a little trouble understanding exactly how this site works.

I see that some people suggest not using this site for must haves, but I am desperate to win a particular item.

My first question is, if I am willing to pay at least $1,000 for this item, will that ultimately be the amount I pay? I've researched similar items in other auctions and the bidding is up to around $350 with four days left. I think I read that AS will automatically place the bid in the next highest increment than the previous high bidder, but I just wanted clarification on that.

Also, I was wondering when I should start 'sniping' the item I want. Should I start now (with four days left), or wait until the day of the auction? I am asking this because I read somewhere on the site that AS will check the bid every 10 minutes or so within the hour of the auction's closing. I also read (I think, I've undergone information overload I think) that it will place up to 15 bids on an item. I don't want to use up said bids within the first couple of days as I anticipate this item being largely popular. Basically, my question is this: Will AS start bidding now, or does it wait until the last 5 seconds or so?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

6/17/097:47 PM

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rickMember

quote:
I see that some people suggest not using this site for must haves

Outdated thinking that originated in the “old days” due to there being not-in-time snipes. AS made some changes but one, or possibly two, users didn’t change their thinking. Not-in-times are very rare these “new days”, BUT bidding wars are still common.

quote:
I think I read that AS will automatically place the bid in the next highest increment than the previous high bidder

No. AS only bids once for the amount you enter in the Max Bid field.

quote:
or does it wait until the last 5 seconds or so?

Yes.

6/18/092:56 AM

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chatterMember

AS bids your entire amount once in the final seconds, just as if it were you sitting at your computer. If you are familiar with eBay's proxy bidding system, you know that in the winning bid is generally in the amount of the second highest bidder's bid plus one increment. So if the second highest bid is for $507 and you bid $1000, you would win for $517, which is the second highest bid of $507 plus the next increment, which is $10 at that range.

You may sit at your computer and also bid manually during the closing seconds, if you like; this will not interfere in any way with AS' activity. However, just know that if you win the auction, even by your own manual bidding, AS will still deduct its fee--unless you are still using your original three free snipes!

Good luck and let us kinow how it turns out.

6/18/096:18 AM

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incuvent114Member

Thank you both for your timely responses.

Just so I have this clear, if I add my highest amount I am willing to pay as $1,000, and at the end of the auction the highest bid is $300, the site will take my maximum bid of $1,000 and apply it within the last 5 seconds. (That will be the first and only bid it applies for me?) If the increments are $2.50, I will win the auction and pay $302.50, is that correct?

Or, if, say, someone bids on the item now (which currently is at $150), will AS automatically "one-up" them (and everyone else who bids, for that matter) until the auction ends?

Sorry about the partly convoluted sentences, it's still early here.