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eBay hard to understand

I've recently noticed that eBay will tell me when I'm close to the high bidder for an auction that I've bid on. I'll get eBay messages saying things like "you're only 50 cents under the high bidder. Bid again!" I used to feel a little bit dirty sniping, but not anymore. If they're going to tell people to outbid me, as they're telling me to outbid people, I no longer feel like I'm the one who's dirty. It's like playing a game of poker with someone looking over your shoulder who's telling the other players what's in your hand. Does this eBay practice of informing people how close they are to a high bidder before an auction is over make sense to anyone?

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Permalink Reply by curtis montez on May 9, 2013 at 5:34pm

I think this is BS, if they are doing that they might as well let everyone know what your max bid is. I think it takes something away from the whole auction process. I would rather take my chances like I have for the last 10+ yrs. They might as well just have seller put down a price he wants for the item and turn ebay into a store.

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Permalink Reply by Jorge Marin on May 9, 2013 at 5:37pm

I bid on Ebay probably twice or 3 times a month, for the past 9 years, and this is the first time I read something like this. Has not happened to me at all.

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Permalink Reply by Erich Jerozal on May 9, 2013 at 6:40pm

I`ve never had that happen to me. Should be confidential.

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Permalink Reply by Mykaphobic on May 9, 2013 at 8:48pm

I was under the assumption that message was for highest shown bid, not the possible highest bid.

E.g I get the message saying I'm 50cents under. I bid but I'm still lower. So I could of bid $99 dollers and if its $99.50 I might get the message, but the other guy could of bid $200. I don't think they are meaning the persons maximum bid.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on May 10, 2013 at 9:08am

I have not really noticed the 50 cent business but I have a feeling that you are right. I think they are probably saying your bid is 50 cent under the current listed bid not the maximum bid.

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Permalink Reply by JJ on May 10, 2013 at 6:28pm

Thanks for the responses. Next time I get one I'll let you know. But, this is new and it's happened numerous times recently. It will tell me that I'm a certain amount under the highest bid and I'm quite sure that I didn't used to get that. Maybe Mykaphobic is right that it's telling me I'm under the highest bid shown, but it's presented as if I'm just 50 cents or a buck away and that I should bid again. Happy bidding - and sniping - everyone.