Search or browse to find an item you're interested in buying.

Review the entire listing and decide if you want to compete in this auction. Some things to note are:

• When it ends (always in Pacific Time)

• How many bids have already been placed on the item

• Amount of the current high bid

• The description (and possibly picture) of the item

• Payment methods and shipping costs

Enter your bid with the highest amount you'd be willing to pay for the item. eBay will automatically raise your bid only as much as is needed for you to remain the high bidder (for more information, see Bidding on eBay). This means that you may win an item for less than your maximum bid, but you can also be outbid if someone else enters a higher maximum bid.

Note: This automatic system does not apply to Multiple Item Auctions.

Each bid you place enters you into a binding contract. All bids are active until the auction ends. If you are the highest bidder when the auction ends, you win the auction. As the winner, you are obligated to buy the item for the winning bid price.