Placing a bid
Bidding
Every auction will have a start price. Sellers can also add a reserve, which can be higher, or equal to, the start price. An auction can't sell until the reserve is met.
Minimum bid increments
Depending on what the leading bid of an auction is, there are different minimum bid amounts:
| Minimum bid requirements | |
|---|---|
| Up to $20 | $0.50 |
| Between $20 and $200 | $1.00 |
| Between $200 and $1,000 | $5.00 |
| Between $1,000 and $5,000 | $10.00 |
| Between $5,000 and $25,000 | $50.00 |
| Over $25,000 | $100.00 |
Auto-bidding
Setting an auto-bid keeps you in the lead by placing a bid whenever you’re outbid, up to your chosen maximum amount.
Setting an auto-bid
- Enter the most you are prepared to pay in the bid box.
- Select 'Auto-bid'.
- Select 'Set auto-bid'.
- Confirm your bid.
- You'll stay in the lead until you win, or your auto-bid is exceeded.
- Enter the most you are prepared to pay in the bid box.
- Select 'Auto-bid'.
- Select 'Set auto-bid'.
- Confirm your bid.
- You'll stay in the lead until you win, or your auto-bid is exceeded.
- Enter the most you are prepared to pay in the bid box.
- Select 'Auto-bid'.
- Select 'Set auto-bid'.
- Confirm your bid.
- You'll stay in the lead until you win, or your auto-bid is exceeded.
- Enter the most you are prepared to pay in the bid box.
- Select 'Auto-bid'.
- Select 'Set auto-bid'.
- Confirm your bid.
- You'll stay in the lead until you win, or your auto-bid is exceeded.
To increase or lower your maximum price, set another auto-bid to override the old one.
To remove a placed auto-bid, follow our bid removal process.
No additional bids are placed if you lead the bidding.
FAQ
Why has my auto-bid jumped to its maximum?
If your auto-bid is below or equal to the reserve, your maximum auto-bid will be placed. If an existing auto-bid is greater than yours, your auto-bid will also jump to its maximum.
Why has my auto-bid jumped straight to the reserve price?
If your auto-bid exceeds the reserve, a bid will be placed equal to the reserve. You will then lead the bidding until your auto-bid is exceeded.
Why has my auto-bid bid against itself?
If another member places a bid equal to your maximum auto-bid, your maximum auto-bid will be placed. This will appear as two consecutive bids from you. Auto-bids have priority over normal bids of the same value as they were placed earlier.
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We'll let you know the ins and outs of bidding – including auto-bidding and minimum bid increments.