How bidding works (manual bids)

Bidding uses a maximum you’re willing to pay. The system places the lowest allowed bid and automatically raises in the seller’s increments while you remain the high bidder, up to your max. Your ceiling stays private to you.

Place a max bid

1. Open a live auction or catalogue lot and enter the maximum you’ll pay.
2. We place the minimum next bid (current high + increment). If someone else bids below your max, we defend automatically.
3. If two buyers set the same max, the current leader keeps the lead.

When you are already winning

You cannot place a duplicate normal bid. The bid panel shows Your max and lets you raise that max only. Raising your max does not increase the visible hammer until someone else challenges you.

Concurrent bids

If someone else bids at the same moment, you may see a conflict message and an updated price. Review the new minimum and try again—your wallet is not charged for a rejected conflict.

Minimum next bid

The lowest allowed opening amount is the greater of the starting price or current high bid, plus the seller’s minimum increment. Quick-max shortcuts jump common amounts; you can type any higher max.

Reserve price awareness

If a reserve exists, bidding may climb without revealing the threshold. Once offers meet or exceed it, the listing reflects that the reserve has been met.

Buy Now shortcut

When Buy Now is enabled and still available, you can skip incremental competition by purchasing outright—see auction types.

Live updates

Auction and lot pages stream updates when possible. Soft-close (anti-snipe) may extend the end time if bids arrive near closing. If counts look stale, refresh once—details in live updates troubleshooting.