Help for an ebay virgin

[Nick]

I am bidding for something on ebay for the first time. My initial bid was £5 but the bidding now stands at £97. The bidding closes at 3.26 today.

I assume that at 3.25 and 30 seconds I should trump the highest bid, but is everyone likely to be lurking there at the last minute to do the same?

Advice welcome

[TG]

They will be lurking. Some of the bastards even have software that bids for them at the last moment.

Do not go there Nicholas. Ebay is evil. 

[Nick]

I am under orders. Define "last minute"

I don't need software if I can do it by hand!

[TG]

I am under orders. Define "last minute"

I don't need software if I can do it by hand!

The software they have is faster than your hand. You are doomed. 

[Nick]

Bye bye saxophone then!

[Darwins Selection]

If it is something you can buy in the shops it will probably be cheaper elsewhere.

Of course if it is an item of memorabilia, such as Heather McCartney's Ronseal brush, you will have to try and bid in the last few seconds.

[TG]

I am under orders. Define "last minute"

Seconds. Such as this : http://www.auctionsniper.com/

[Snoopy]

Place a high bid that you are prepared to pay NOW! Your high bid will not be shown but everytime someone else bids yours will increase by enough to cap theirs until your upper limit is reached. You will then be given a final chance to up your best offer. Resist the temptation.  Easy when you know how.

[Nick]

I am under orders. Define "last minute"

Seconds. Such as this : http://www.auctionsniper.com/

Dashed cunning!

[Nick]

Place a high bid that you are prepered to pay NOW! Your high bid will not be shown but everytime someone else bids yours will increase by enough to cap their until your upper limit is reached. You will then be given a final chance to up your best offer. Resist the temptation.  Easy when you know how.

May try that later. Thanks.Trouble is the auction closes bang in the middle of the school run!

[Bar Wench]

Then the best plan is just to put in the highest you are prepared to pay and leave it at that.

[Snoopy]

I always put an odd pence on the end of my highest bid. Often that is enough to swing it my way at "the death".
E.G.£150.79 .... then leave things to happen. If it is your highest bid do not get tempted into a last minute rush.

[Nick]

I am not paying more than 130.

Will let you know how I get on!

[Snoopy]

Don't forget, if you are working to a budget, that postage etc is down to you the buyer and will be charged over and above the final price.

[Nick]

Yup. POstage is £15.

Seller is a neighbour of Berek's