Quick bidding response on Ebay

[Rev Rob]

I have been placing a bid on a Marzan BB flat and a Sander's Symphony BB flat tuba. I have experienced, what I consider, a rather strange phenomenon on Ebay. I do not finish the process of placing my bid before I am outbid. This is happening immediately. I suppose I could get on line at 3:30 am and place a bid and see if the response is just as immediate as it is during day/evening.

Have any out you all had the experience when bidding on Ebay?
Inquiring minds want to know.

[SousaSaver]

I think it's either ebay telling you that your bid is less than the current highest bidder's max...

Precisely

[Rev Rob]

But there is no reserve. If they are engaged in this stupid trick at least they can specify the reserve amount. I'm feeling rather jaded about Ebay at the moment.

[floydr]

There is a bidder who is bidding against you. His high bid will continue to outbid you until you go over his max. ( when you enter a bid you can set your maximum bid and ebay will automatically up your bid) Look at bidding history and you will see it. That is why a lot of peole bid nearer the end of an auction or use sniping tools. I usually like buy it now autions or something from a tube net sponsor is good too.

[Dan Schultz]

Someone may have put a proxy bid of $1,000 on the horn and Ebay will still only take the amount of money needed to keep him ahead of you. Until his maximum is reached.

[Rev Rob]

Thanks for the Ebay insights. I am now better informed than I was when I started.

[Dan Schultz]

Thanks for the Ebay insights. I am now better informed than I was when I started.

Now that you know about proxy bidding... there's another phenomenon known as 'sniping'... where auctions are won in the last few seconds without the bidder even having to be on line.

[fairweathertuba]

Yes, EZsniper is a web site that will help you to keep your own bid in check, (and in secret) until the last seconds of an auction. I've used it a few times successfully on various items.

[Rev Rob]

The world of electronic auctions, aka Ebay, is a lot sneakier than the old fashioned world of live auctions. I prefer live auctions with an auctioneer. This ideal for me if I want to buy a tractor but not so good if I want to buy a tuba.