Are you a frequent eBay bidder, but are having little success? If so, you would probably like to improve your skills.
Well, in this article, we will be going over 11 tips and tricks that you can use to improve and hone your online retailer bidding skills to make them even better, so continue reading!
How to Win eBay Bids
1. Thoroughly Research the Product You Want
By doing this, you will be able to see the past prices of the product so you can get an idea of how much to bid, or at least where to start your bid.
Also, evaluate the condition the item is in using pictures and a description to see what the best price would be to start.
Additionally, try and research what listings of that product give you the best chance of winning the item at the lowest possible price.
2. Don’t Low-Ball
When you “low-ball,” you are putting a low price that someone can easily beat.
So, if you do this on multiple products, and no one else bids, you are legally required to buy each item your bid won, even if they’re the same thing.
3. Don’t Bid Too High Early On
It was mentioned not to bid too low, but you also don’t want to bid too high, either.
This is a bad idea, as it shows others just how badly you want the item.
As well, it also leaves you having to spend more than you would have if you let the bids just slowly rise.
Additionally, if someone else bids high early on, put the item on your eBay watch list.
By doing so, there’s a chance the seller may put another similar item on the market with a lower starting price.
4. Choose Items Where the Auction Is at Favorable Times for You
By doing this, you will be able to watch the auction at times you’re available, making it possible for you to be present during the final moments of the bids, giving you more of a chance to win.
Additionally, when it’s late at night, it might give you more of a chance not to be outbid, as fewer people will be active at this time.
5. Buy It Now Option
Utilizing the “Buy It Now” option when available during auctions, allows you to buy the item without having to wait for the bidding to end so you can get it quicker.
However, if the item is in a buy-it-now auction and is still on the market after a day, chances are the item(s) is over-priced.
6. Use Auction Snipers
This service is an automatic system that will place bids for you at the very last minute, giving you a better chance of not getting outbid, while also knowing your maximum bid amount.
The only problem with this is that others might be using one of these as well, so there’s still a chance of being out-bid still.
7. Know eBay’s Auction Rules
Familiarize yourself with the rules put in place by eBay about the different types of auctions they have on its site, such as reverse auctions, Dutch auctions, buy it now auctions, and more.
8. Turn on Outbidding Real-Time Notifications
Turning on this notification will allow eBay to send you real-time news that someone just out-bid you, allowing you to be able to get back on top quicker before it’s too late.
To turn on these notifications, follow these steps:
- Click My eBay in the top-right corner of any screen on eBay.com.
- Click Account in the top menu.
- On the left, click Communication Preferences.
- Under the “Buying Activity” subheading, click Show.
- Make sure all drop-down menus are set to “Real-time,” and check the box beside Outbid to receive an IM.
9. Research the Seller
Read through the seller’s reviews to see what their negative reviews are, if any.
By doing this, you will be able to see if they have a tendency to put off auctions for longer, if they have suspicious actions, if their pricing is unreasonable, and more.
10. Bid at the Last Minute
When you bid at the last minute, the chances of you winning go up tremendously. This is because the chances of someone outbidding you are very low.
So, at the last minute bid, your maximum or a couple of dollars over the last bid to put yourself at the top.
11. Place Your Bids in Odd Numbers
You’ll want to do this as many buyers will place their bids according to eBay’s proxy system, meaning if your number is only a few cents higher, there’s a good chance you will be winning.
To know more, you can also read our posts on whether eBay is safe, reliable, and trustworthy, whether eBay takes Cash App, and why eBay is so expensive.
Conclusion
Although bidding and auctions can be stressful and frustrating, doing research on the item and seller can give you a better idea about what you’re doing, giving you a better chance at winning.
So, don’t stress if you’ve been on a losing streak, as there are many things you can try to up your bidding game!
