| About Bidding at eBay The bidding on eBay is partly automated by their system. If you are a first-time bidder, you should read over all the material available when you register at eBay and also go to their page for buyers. By understanding how bidding works, you will have a better chance of acquiring the Dwight Harmon painting you want!
For the convenience of its bidders, eBay uses proxy bidding, which means that you can enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for an item, and eBay will bid for you in small increments up to your maximum OK, an example: Let's say that bidding stands at $700 for an item. At that level, eBay sets the minimum increase increment at $5.00. Suppose you're willing to go higher than $700, and submit a maximum bid of $800. eBay will indicate on that item's bid page that you are presently the new highest bidder, but it will only show an increase in the top bid to $705. If someone else comes along and enters a maximum bid of $750, eBay will remember that you have indicated a willingness to pay $800 and it will match the other bid and increase it on your behalf to $755. If the auction ends at that point, you will be the successful highest bidder at $755, and that's what you will pay for the item. Before the auction closes, if someone else comes along and submits a maximum bid higher than $800, eBay will immediately email you to inform you that your max has been exceeded. Then you can decide to go higher and stay in the bidding, or to drop out. So, now, put the shoe on the other foot. Let's say that bidding stands at $700 for an item. You enter a maximum bid of $800 and the response page at eBay indicates that at that amount you are still NOT the highest bidder. This means that someone else has previously entered a maximum bid greater than $800. The bid page will show that other person as the current high bidder, and match and increase your $800 offer on the other person's behalf to $805. So at that point the bidding will stand at $805.
This is called proxy bidding. It means that you don't have to sit at your computer and monitor the bidding constantly, increasing your bid little bits at a time. eBay does that for you! This is also an important feature for the week-long DwightSite auction because in case of tie bids, the auction will be awarded to the one who bid earliest So, that's how it works. It's simple once you get the hang of it. Remember, as a buyer you do not pay eBay anything and do not have to give them your credit card number. If you are the successful final bidder, that financial transaction will take place between you and Art Center, after the auction has ended.
Still have Questions? Email them to nowlin@artcenter.edu, or call Stephen Nowlin at 626 396-2397. |
until the auction ends (and you are the successful final bidder), or until your maximum is surpassed by another bidder's maximum. This makes bidding easier and more convenient for you