Can somebody please explain what the heck is going on here?

[Tallone]

Below is a screenshot of the bidding history on one of my current items:



Same bidder with three bids (for the same amount) over two days. WTF?

 

[GibH]

If the buyer increased his bid, it will show up like that.

 

[sliverofsilver]

it just means he made 3 bids, thats a good thing for you

 

[Baltimore]

usually it means he really wants to win, so he's been increasing his max bid to make sure he wins. It probably a good thing, hopefully someone else wants it too, you might have yourself a bidding war!

 

[vwayne1]

Yes, and it shows as the same amount because no one has bid against him yet. When they do, his proxy bid will automatically kick it up.

 

[Tallone]

Yes, and it shows as the same amount because no one has bid against him yet. When they do, his proxy bid will automatically kick it up.

Thanks for the info. I understand about proxy bidding. I have used it myself on occasion. I didn't realize that increasing your maximum bid would be displayed as a separate bid in the listing. I suppose that could be perceived as a bit intimidating by other prospective bidders. It doesn't seem like showing this as a separate bid is in ebay's interest, though. I mean, they have a vested interest in seeing items sell for the largest amount possible. If a thing like this scares away other bidders, ebay loses.

 

[Iron Patch]

Some fools think it scares others from bidding, and I've seen people place 10-15 bids in a row not totaling more than $10... then at the end they lose as usual.

 

[diggummup]

Some fools think it scares others from bidding, and I've seen people place 10-15 bids in a row not totaling more than $$10... than at the end they lose as usual.

Yeah, I was gonna add that some buyers try to use this an an intimidation tactic. Others who see 3 or more bids by one bidder may figure it isn't worth bidding on because of the multiple bids by a single bidder. At least that is the thinking behind it. No, it doesn't work on me either. I've blown them out in a single bid before.

 

[Tallone]

Well, I don't know if that is what this guy's intent was but he won the item without any competition. It's OK by me. I got $50 out of a $5 item!

 

[Iron Patch]

Well, I don't know if that is what this guy's intent was but he won the item without any competition. It's OK by me. I got $50 out of a $5 item!

Probably not because the people who do it don't tend to spend anything close to $50. I think with that one he bid to lock it, then placed his high bid... and then decided he'd go a little more.