Question on Max Bid

Your maximum.

Imagine that AS is you and let it bid your max (ignore his BIN price, that's just there to influence the easily-led). Ebay's proxy bidding system will handle the rest...

R2

quote:

I want to bid on the item, but not exceed 399.99, but im also looking to keep the price low, and don't know if setting my max at 399.99 will mean that auction sniper will sent a bid of 399.99 at the last minute

I'd be concerned that if AS bids $399.99, then the snipe will automatically cost you the BIN price (although I'm not positive that'll happen). If you're really willing to pay the max, but want to pay as little as possible, I'd snipe with $399.98. You always run the risk that someone will swoop in and pay the BIN price, but that's always the case with a BIN listing.

Let's think about this logically people, to pay the BIN price you have to press the BIN button so that's never going to happen with AS.

Might be worth placing a very low bid to make the BIN go away as, as previously mentioned, you risk someone buying it using BIN.

R2

Hi NoMercy,

Are you new to eBay as well, as it seems you may be a little uncertain about how ebay works.

You should always, whether bidding in eBay or AS put in the absolute maximum you would be prepared to pay for the item. eBay will not put your maximum bid up, but the next increment amount. It will keep doing this until you are either the highest bidder or you have reached your maximum.

AS works because it bids your maximum in the closing seconds of the auction, thereby not getting you into an early bidding war with eBay newbies and ensuring that you get it for the best possible price up to your maximum.

Always put in your maximum. BIN does not apply to AS.

The only exception to this rule is multiple items in a Dutch Auction - beware of these as they work differently and you will pay your maximum always, believe me I've been burned by this.
Hope this helps.