Lost Auction

[Tomi]

Bid history of item 200664651308 - I dont understand how someone could bid in one step almost $500 more. Can anyone explain?

[Cupid]

The eBay system permits you to enter any amount that is greater than or equal to one bid increment above that auction price at the time the bid is submitted.

It is not unusual for people to enter their maximum bid before the end of the auction, in fact it is what eBay themselves advise you to do, and allow the bidding system to determine the price you pay after the auction has completed.

When two bidders do that one after the other this is the type of bid history that you see, large jumps in the auction price as the eBay bidding system works out the new auction price.

That strategy, though entirely valid, tends to lead to paying a higher amount, if you win at all, because it encourages others to place bids that might beat your bid.
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Mark

[Tomi]

Thanks for the replay. I understand that the ebay system doesnt show the increments in such a case of very late biddings. I this right? If it si, it means the two biders "loose" a large amount of money...

[Cupid]

What eBay displays in terms of bids and increments is not dependant on when the bids are placed. So, sorry, I'm not sure what you mean.

What I can say is that when two bidders enter a high amount, no matter when their bids are placed the auction price will rise considerably as a result and will then be at least as high as the lower/earlier of those large bids.
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Mark

[Gixen]