E-bay question

Factual Questions
#1

This doesn’t make any sense to me, I was hoping somebody could explain it.

This is an excerpt from an auction I understand:

Currently: US $7.95
First Bid: US $7.95

of bids: 1 (may include multiple bids by same bidder)

It’s a dutch auction, I’m bidding on two out of the three items available. This makes sense.

This one doesn’t:

Currently: US $20.00
First Bid: US $4.99

of bids: 1 (may include multiple bids by same bidder)

This is a dutch auction that I’m bidding on all of the available items (2). How the heck did it hit my max bid if I only bid once, and I’m the only one who’s bid on the auction? There are no bid retractions or cancellations. Is there something I’m missing here?

Both auctions are from the same seller, as well.

#2

Was there a reserve? If your max bid is higher than the reserve, the price will jump to the reserve level.

#3

There was no reserve. Plus I swear it said 4.99 after I bid on it the other day.

:confused:

#4

Can you give us a link to the auction?

#5

Sure.

Please note: Anyone who suddenly decides they’d like some simulated alexandrite, please note that this seller runs multiple auctions of the same thing. There’s two auctions for the same thing right now, and hey look, it’s still 4.99. They also have a store where you can “Buy it now” for 5.74, and there are 300 available. So unless you’re feeling charitable, there’s no need to outbid me. But feel free.

:smiley:

And no, I have no idea why I felt like saving $0.75, or why I have this bad habit of bidding in increments of 20… :smack:

#6

Straaaange…it does look like something’s gone awry…

If I were you, I’d email the seller and ask if things make sense his/her end

#7

Yah, I did. I figured I’d get an outside opinion while I wait. They’re a pretty big power seller, and sometimes it takes a while for me to get invoices. So I’m not expecting an answer immediately (I may try calling later). I have three days though.

#8

And I could swear upside down and sideways that there was a "Thank you for your input, now I know I’m not totally crazy :smiley: " at the end of that.

Perhaps my computer has just gained it’s own AI and is trying to irritate me. :dubious:

#9

Unfortunately, Dutch auctions work a little differently than regular ones. There is no bidding by proxy, so no automatic incremental bids until you reach your max. Whatever dollar amount you enter is your bid.

It seems you bought yourself an expensive pair of stones. The seller allows retractions only under extremely limited circumstances.

#10

[QUOTE=peri]
Unfortunately, Dutch auctions work a little differently than regular ones. There is no bidding by proxy, so no automatic incremental bids until you reach your max. Whatever dollar amount you enter is your bid.QUOTE]

Errr… I managed to get to talk to someone, and they didn’t know why that happened either. So when the auction ends, I will only have to pay $4.99 per stone. I’ve bid on their dutch auctions a number of times, this has never happened before. But everything’s good now. The person I asked specifically said: “I’m not sure why. If it ends at that price, let us know and we will be glad to change it to your minimum bid. Just click on the chat if it does that and we will correct it.”

#11

That’s great. (I have bought from this seller. Decent stones for the money.)