Questions about buying on Ebay

[gngrhill]

I have never bought anything on Ebay auction and have a question. I registered on Ebay because there was an orchid I was interested in. I placed a bid and it immediately came up that a higher bid was placed. I placed a second bid, and it immediately came up that a higher bid was placed again. My question is, is there really someone who has like an automatic increase thingy or is it the seller doing an automatic increase to get it up to what they really want for it ? The seller is Kawamoto Orchids, who I know are very highly rated.

[Pat'sCatt's]

There is an automatic bid that increases and overbids you. So the other bidder placed a higher amount on the orchid, everytime you bid, the system bids again untill you meet that bid. Watch out, sometimes people place rudicoules amounts, you won't likely overbid! Good luck!

[wintergirl]

I tend to buy things that are "buy it now", but sometimes I bid. If I really want the plant I will bid the highest amount I am willing to pay (at the last minute). Sometimes people get into a bidding war and the price goes out of sight.

[estación seca]

If you poke around on the Internet you can find software you install on your computer that bids automatically for you. Some collectors (not just plants - think Hot Wheels, Barbie, Star Wars etc.) actually get super-fast Internet connections for their houses so they can bid faster at the last instant.

And they say we are nuts.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Pat'sCatt's

There is an automatic bid that increases and overbids you. So the other bidder placed a higher amount on the orchid, everytime you bid, the system bids again untill you meet that bid. Watch out, sometimes people place rudicoules amounts, you won't likely overbid! Good luck!

^^ this

the bids go up in predetermined increments - usually $.50-1.00, so, if an item is starting at 10.00, and I make my high bid as 15.00, it will show it's currently at $10.00, if you then bid with a high bid of $11.00, you will be shown immediately outbid, and the new current high bid for the item will show as $11.50 (if the bid increments are .50).

[AnonYMouse]

That is the function of "Max" bid. If you are the first or highest bidder, a pop up should appear asking if you want to increase your "max" bid. Ebay will automatically counter bid on your behalf up to your "max" bid.

Do your homework, set your "max" bid and relax (and be willing to walk away if outbid). I've watched some out-of-control bidding wars.

You can get a bargain, too. Lately, I bid only the starting bid and win items I've previously lost. Sometimes, it's a matter of timing and who's watching.

[gngrhill]

Thanks all. White Rabbit and Ananymouse, your explanations help me understand how it works. I lost the orchid I wanted because I didn't know how it works, so next time I will be better prepared.

[AnonYMouse]

Just make sure you know the value of what you're bidding on and set a limit. There are a lot of post auction remorse.

[gerneveyn]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Just make sure you know the value of what you're bidding on and set a limit. There are a lot of post auction remorse.

"Rare", "hard to find", and "collector's item" are some overused descriptive terms that often reflect only the opinion of the seller and may not actually be true.

Limited items like divisions of old classics or new crosses in bloom (not mericloned yet) are what I am usually willing to spend more on if I can find the space.

[PaphMadMan]

You can also look up the selling price for previous similar or identical items on eBay (advanced search, completed listings). Unless it is a one of a kind thing that will give you some idea of what you will need to bid to get the item. Often you will find that the same vendor has offered the same species or hybrid several times.