How to Win an eBay Auction

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

These days you will find just about anything you can imagine on eBay. Despite the high number of items listed, the competition to win auctions is always high, and it’s difficult to win auctions consistently. However, there are several basic strategies to increase your odds of winning an item you want and getting it at a good price too! With a little practice, you’ll be bidding like a pro in no time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Traditional Bidding Strategies

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-1.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Log in to your account and click on the “Account” tab. Go to “Communication Preferences” on the left-hand side and set all of the notifications to real-time.
    • It’s important to receive notifications when someone outbids you or the price on an item changes so that you can update your bids.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-2.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Set up reminders on your computer or phone to check on auctions on their last day. The last day is when prices will really start going up so you will have a better idea of how much you need to bid.
    • Make sure you will be able to bid on an item before it ends and set any necessary reminders to do this at a time when you won’t be busy.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-3.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    eBay will automatically bid on an item for you up to the highest amount you are willing to pay. Take advantage of this so that you don’t have to keep manually increasing your bid.
    • Don’t bid too high early on or you can unnecessarily drive up the price of an item.
    • Your maximum bid does not mean you will pay exactly that amount if you win. You will only pay the amount you need to beat the next highest bidder.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-4.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Many sellers make small mistakes when listing their items for sale. Look for items listed with one letter off in the name or common misspellings. [1]
    • Items listed incorrectly will have less competition bidding for them because not as many people find them.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Sniping to Win an Auction

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-5.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Check the upper right-hand corner of an item’s auction to see how much time is remaining. Set a reminder on your computer or phone to go to the page 2 minutes before it ends.
    • The sniping strategy only requires you to place a bid seconds before an auction ends, but it is best to log in a bit earlier to give yourself plenty of time.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-6.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Hang out on the auction page and wait for just before the end of the auction. Don’t place a bid yet but keep and eye on the bid prices. [2]
    • The sniping technique keeps you from unnecessarily driving up the price of an item by only placing your bid at the last minute.
    • You can also use special software to automatically place sniping bids for you. Keep in mind that you will have to provide your eBay login info to these services, but it will save you from having to do the work yourself.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-7.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Enter the maximum amount of money you are willing to pay when there are only 10 seconds remaining in the auction. eBay’s automatic bidding system will only make you pay what you need to beat the next highest bid. [3]
    • The idea behind sniping is that you don’t give anyone else enough time to react and beat your bid.
    • Bidding manually is the best way to beat other people who are using sniping software.
    • It is considered acceptable to use sniping software on eBay.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-8.jpg\/aid10571876-v4-728px-Win-an-eBay-Auction-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Occasionally other people may be using the same bidding strategy as you, or automatic sniping tools, and may outbid you. Try to sneak in another bid in the last few seconds if you see this happen. [4]
    • You can often win auctions with this strategy, but your bid can always be beaten by someone who manages to get one in at the last moment before an auction ends, so it is not a guaranteed strategy to win auctions.
    • Sniping keeps prices on items lower, but it does not necessarily mean you will end up paying less than an item is worth.
    • Sniping is a controversial bidding strategy among eBay users, however it is allowed by eBay itself.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      Simple Safety Tips for Buying on Ebay
      How to
      Bid on eBay
      How to
      Cancel a Bid on eBay
      How to
      Return an Item on eBay
      How to
      Cancel an Order on eBay
      How to
      Tell if an eBay Seller is Reliable
      How to
      Buy on eBay
      How to
      Snipe on eBay
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ebay.com.au/help/buying/auctions-bidding/bidding-strategy?id=4015
      2. ↑ https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2245556/now-you-can-win-every-bid-on-ebay-the-lazy-way-thanks-to-this-clever-sniping-trick/
      3. ↑ https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/can-you-really-win-almost-any-ebay-auction-by-sniping/
      4. ↑ https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/can-you-really-win-almost-any-ebay-auction-by-sniping/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 35,414 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement