Enter the maximum you’re willing to pay. The system bids for you automatically, increasing by the set increment ($1.00) only when needed to keep you in the lead — up to your max.
- Example: Current bid is $0.00. You enter a max of $9.00. The visible bid immediately becomes $1.00 (current + increment). Your max remains private.
- If someone bids $3.00, your proxy instantly auto-counters to $4.00 (their bid + one increment), keeping you in front unless they exceed your max.
- If two people set the same max, the earliest max wins at that amount.
- If your max bid is above the reserve price and the current bid is still below it, the system may jump the visible price straight up to the reserve as soon as you place your bid. That isn’t random — it’s just moving the auction to the minimum price the seller is willing to accept. From there, the price only moves in the set bid increment (often $1) when other bidders push it up, until your max is reached.
- Once the reserve is met, proxy bidding continues up to your max. You pay only the winning price, not your full max.
- Buy Now may be unavailable after the first bid or when reserve is met.
Tip: You can raise your max at any time.