This guide will explain the best ways to win an auction on eBay, increasing your chances of winning the auction at the lowest possible price.
Steps
Step 1. Find an auction that interests you
Step 2. Check the auction you are interested in
Check when it ends and remember it, noting the item number and the closing time of the auction.
Step 3. Check back 10 minutes before the auction ends
If it's still around an acceptable price, sit back and wait (let's pretend you've decided to spend € 10). Make sure you are logged in.
Step 4. While you wait, decide how much exactly you want to spend on this item
Keep reloading or refreshing the page to better keep track of the closing time.
- In the upper right part of the browser, between the icon (-) and the (X), there is a button with two small windows inside. Click on this button to restore the window to a smaller size. Then click and drag the sides of the window to make it take up half the screen, so you can see the auction countdown and the button to bid.
- Open another browser window and do the same thing.
- In the new window, go to eBay again and search for the item you want to bid on. You can enter the item number in the search bar and find it so easily. Do not log in this window - you will only need it to check the countdown.
- In the "new" window, click the "refresh" button from time to time to check the time remaining until the auction closes. When there are 10 or 15 seconds left (depending on the speed of your internet connection), go to the other window and submit your offer.
Step 5. Wait for about 1 minute to go until the auction ends
Experienced users can (and should) wait a little longer, up to about 30-20 seconds remaining. Start placing your bid.
Step 6. Let's say the auction still has 40 seconds before the deadline:
enter your offer and go to the confirmation screen, then wait 20-30 seconds.
Step 7. You should offer figures like 10.07 euros:
the extra 7 cents can win you if other bidders stop at 10. However, you may sometimes need to bid more, depending on your auction settings. Below the box where you enter the offer, it should read "Insert € _ or more".
Step 8. When you click "confirm offer", there should be 10 seconds left to expire, which is not enough time for most people to make a response offer
It is still possible to bid within 10 seconds, so you should be even faster if you're aiming for a very popular item.
Step 9. You can also try the 1-click Offer
This is a feature that allows you to bid faster.
Step 10. You should win the auction, unless someone else's maximum bid is greater than yours
Advice
- You can also use an automated service, which does the whole process for you, and you may even find free ones! Simply search for "auction sniping" in your search engine to find them.
- If you are interested in eBay Bucks, a computer program is your choice, and depending on how the program places your bid, eBay Bucks may not always be available. Contact the program vendor for more information.
- If you don't want to violate eBay's terms of use providing your personal data to automatic bidding websites, you must use a computer program. Search for "auction sniper windows", "auction sniper mac" or "Auction Sniper Linux" to find programs that you can install on your computer.
- If other participants' maximum bid is greater than yours (each bidder can, if they wish, set a maximum bid, and then eBay will automatically raise the minimum amount), you may not have time to place a new bid, so be sure to place your maximum bid right away.
- Check your bidding history before the auction ends - many people use automatic bidding programs and in some cases the maximum amount you set may be visible before the price reaches that figure.
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Always stop at your maximum bid. If you are not the highest bidder after your attempt, DO NOT engage in a frenzied raising battle.
Raising is an activity that could cause you excitement and adrenaline rush and you may end up thinking "A few more dollars is not a problem". Don't fall for it: stop at the amount you decided at the beginning.
- Use two browsers. In a window, set your offer and let it stay until the crucial moment. Use the other to check each other's offers or last minute bids (use the "Refresh" button). This will give you enough time to be able to modify your bid if necessary in case of someone else's bids (using the prompt window on the "Place a bid" box).
- This is a way to make sure you get the item at the lowest possible price, as others won't have time to raise.
Warnings
- If you keep raising until you are the highest bidder, you could significantly breach the price ceiling you set for yourself. And in any case someone may outweigh your bid, in the case of normal bids. You can't win like this!
- Raise until you receive the message "You are the highest bidder!" NOT it's safe! Either way, it's the only way to verify someone else's maximum bid.
- Check where the item is, as shipping can be very expensive.
