Home : Help : Buyer Guide : Proxy Bidding

How Bidding Works
(this process is called proxy bidding)

Let's say you find something on eBay that you want... You're willing to pay $25.00 for it, but the current bid price is only $2.25. You could take the long route and sit at your computer, outbidding each new bid until you reach $25.00.

Luckily, there's a better way. Here's how it works:

1. Decide the maximum you're willing to pay and enter this amount.
2. eBay will now confidentially bid up to your maximum amount. In this way, you don't have to keep an eye on your auction as it unfolds.
3. If other bidders outbid your maximum at the end of the auction, you don't get the item. But otherwise, you're the winner--and the final price might even be less than the maximum you had been willing to spend!

Remember: eBay will use only as much of your maximum bid as is necessary to maintain your position as high bidder. Winning was never easier!

This bidding process is not available for Dutch Auctions.

Top Questions From This Page • Why do I get messages telling me I've been outbid? • I bid against myself to raise my maximum and the high bid increased. Why? • Why was the bid increment bigger than I expected when I placed my bid? • Why did my bid jump up so high? • Why doesn't the high bid increase when I raise my bid?