This post is not about whether or not to buy designer handbags on eBay, or how to decipher fakes. No, this post is about how to WIN your auction!

A popular school of thought is to wait until the final minutes to bid. But that is incredibly difficult and in most cases, you’ll lose out on your dream item.

Another question in people’s minds is about the truth of another thought; “Bids attract bids.”

I really don’t think this is true.

People like lower amounts, generally. I do in most cases. Some people search by “lowest price.” (Although you must understand why the ‘bay default is “ending soonest”; you could lose out on a great item, because the listing closes before you even find it.) I often mix up my types of searches (which plays a helpful role in thinking about your methods).

If you bid on the item, you are claiming a stake and original intent on the purchase. People know that if they bid, the price will be higher; it’s really not as attractive anymore.

Even if I’m wrong, if you wait too long, when you try to bid, your highest can already be outmatched. Don’t think that this can’t be avoided. If you bid early, you will deter at least some people from bidding at all. Of course that lowers the final cost, doesn’t it? In most cases, yes! Even when someone who is bidding is willing to go high, he may not be forced to actually place that maximum bid. Why do you think many listings for a Coach Soho Satchel go for around $340, and I swear one went for $66 (authentic, in my opinion). It’s due to luck, different person’s budgets compared to the original price, and the assumption that a low starter means a fake bag, of course, but also:

1. The number of similar items listed at the time.
2. The luck of people finding this bag.

• If there are no other bags, go for the dream item that suddenly pops up and bid, bid quickly, and bid your truest maximum amount. (Somewhat under the actual price, including shipping, is one option. For a rare bag, make it close to this amount.)
• If there is a lot of this item out there, have patience and shop around. And don’t settle for something that’s not quite right for you, like a different color. (If you’re torn between things, make lists of pros and cons, or you really can go for the best price, but only after assuring your undecided position.)
• If there are others of your item, you may wait for the other listings’ run time to partially pass, then bid on the right one for you. Those bidders are obligated to their items, yes, ALL of the bidders–due to the retraction system, and especially in cases of “reserve” auctions. (Only bid if you absolutely must on those, YOU WILL NOT get that low starting price.)
• People will bid and the price will go up; so you want to get in on the ground floor of that–before the price rises to high for you to afford. You bid; someone else bids; your price goes up: but the process will end at a lower price for you, or with you winning: period.

A few more highly important tips:

1. Do not wait until the last few minutes, because you don’t know what that hidden maximum is. You could run out of time fighting it.
2. When you get an outbid, DON’T big again right away. Wait much closer to the auction close time (but not too close to it). If you bid again directly after receiving the notification e-mail, that “outbidder” is on her computer, and she will bid again! The price will go up dramatically, and this can be avoided! If you wait any time at all, this might not happen. You could also wait until late at night. This sounds wrong, but let that person feel secure in her position (she may feel too secure and relax).

   If you wait until the end of the auction, do it before the last hour. This is because of reasons listed above, but also … I know I may be contradictory here, but cheating someone out of THEIR dream item is wrong. Don’t you hate that feeling, yourself? Promote order in the World Wide Web.

This comes from a long-term successful eBayer. And yet — I’ve learned the most valuable lessons from those items I’ve lost! (And they’re always replaceable, but an unbelievable price is is a rare gift.)

Here’s wishing you bountiful eBay shopping, and remember: Have Patience!

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