eBay Live Auctions: Help: Before: How absentee bids work

How Absentee Bids Work

You've found a lot (item) that you like, but you don't want to come back to place a real-time bid during the auction. You can place an "absentee" bid instead. Here's how it works:
Once you find a lot on which you want to bid, sign up to participate in that auction. After you're approved, go back to the lot page and input the maximum amount you are willing to pay for that lot - that is your absentee bid.
Approved bidders can place absentee bids up to one hour before the live event begins. When the auction starts, we will then process all the absentee bids and calculate what the winning absentee bid is. The winning absentee bid equals the second highest bid plus one bid increment. This value will be communicated to the auctioneer.
Here is an example:
•  Rob places an absentee bid of $1,000 for Lot #123.
•  Dan places an absentee bid of $1,500 for Lot #123.
•  Ben places an absentee bid of $2,000 for Lot #123.
•  When we clear all absentee bids, Ben is the winning bidder with a winning absentee bid amount of $1,600 ($1,500 plus one bid increment of $100).
When the Live Auction starts, we will let the auctioneer know that there is an Internet absentee bid for $1,600. If there are no higher bids during the auction, Ben is the winner. However, if floor or real-time Internet bidders place a bid above $1,600, the Live Auctions system will bid on Ben's behalf up to his maximum of $2,000. We will never bid above your maximum amount.
Because bids amounts are incremental, in some cases, a live bidder may win an auction with a bid that is equal to the absentee bid.
Here is an example:
Bob places an absentee bid of $1,300.
Dennis is on the floor bidding live.

The auctioneer opens the bidding at $1,000, which goes to Bob.
The next increment is $1,100, which Dennis raises his paddle for and wins.
The computer proxy bids to $1,200 for Bob.
Dennis places the next bid and wins the auction at $1,300.

The computer proxy was unable to counter Dennis's bid of $1300 because Bob chose $1300 as the highest amount he was willing to pay when he placed his absentee bid. Make sure the absentee bid you place is the maximum amount you're willing to pay because we cannot bid above that amount - as in the example above.
The auctioneer is always in full control of which bids are accepted. The auctioneer will call the first bid they see or hear. For example, if a floor bidder catches the attention of the auctioneer before the internet bid is called by the clerk, the floor bidder will win. This is part of the excitement of a real live auction event
Frequently Asked Questions about Absentee Bids:
Q: When can I place an absentee bid?
A: Up to one hour before the live event begins.
Q: Can I cancel an absentee bid?
A: Every bid you make on any eBay sites, including eBay Live Auctions, is binding. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to read the item description carefully before bidding on any items on eBay, and check the seller's feedback. If you have any questions regarding the listing, email the seller directly.

Under exceptional circumstance, eBay Live Auctions allows you to retract bids.
For example:

It's OK to retract a bid if...

You accidentally enter a wrong bid amount. For instance, you bid $10,000 instead of $1,000. (If this occurs you will need to quickly re-enter the correct bid amount).
The description of an item you have bid on has changed significantly.
You cannot reach the seller. This means that you have tried calling the seller and his or her phone number doesn't work, or you have tried emailing a message to the seller and it comes back undeliverable.
It's NOT OK to retract a bid if...

You change your mind about the item.
You decide you can't really afford it.
You bid a little higher than you promised yourself you'd go.

You can retract your absentee bid up to two hours before the live event begins. When you retract a bid, you will eliminate all bids you have placed in that auction. So if you are correcting a bid error, you will have to bid again. Please note that you can only place new absentee bids up to one hour before the live event begins.
Q: In case of ties, who wins?
A: If two or more Internet bidders place absentee bids for exactly the same amount, the earlier Internet absentee bid will be communicated to the auctioneer. It is the discretion of the auctioneer that determines if the Internet absentee bid is accepted. If there is a tie between a floor bid and Internet bid, absentee or live, the auctioneer decides the winner.
Q: Will anyone know what my maximum bid is?
A: No. Your maximum absentee bid is kept secret in the Live Auctions system. Other bidders never see your absentee bid. We will only inform the auctioneer of the amount of the winning absentee bid (one bid increment above the second highest bidder), which can be below your maximum bid.
Q: Even though I am a registered eBay user, I can't place an absentee bid on a lot.
A: Have you signed up to participate in the Live Auction in which you are interested? Only registered eBay users who have signed up to participate in an event can place absentee bids. To sign up, just go to the auction overview page for that auction and click on the "Sign Up" button.
Q: Why is my absentee bid not being considered?
A: Some of the grouping options (1 times Money, N times Money & Choice with a minimum) require that the winning bidder buy more than one lot. Since absentee bids can only be placed on a single lot, there is no way to determine if the absentee bidder would want to purchase any other lots in the group. To prevent misunderstandings, absentee bids are not considered if these grouping options are chosen.

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