Rare Book Monthly
Articles - December - 2002 Issue
The Means of Book Trading That Dares Not Speak Its Name: eBay
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Also take a moment to analyze whether the item fits into your overall collecting plan. Don’t bid on things just because they are a seeming bargain; bid on them because they are a seeming bargain in your collecting area as backed up by research on AE.
Keep this AE window open throughout your eBay browsing in order to formulate the most effective and intelligent bidding strategies on eBay.
HOW TO GET TO FEEDBACK ON EBAY:
Once you’ve clicked onto a specific item, read the description of it and look at the picture, if there is one. Then look above the description seller’s information. Click on the words “view comments in seller’s Feedback profile” near seller’s name or handle.
HOW TO WATCH AN AUCTION ITEM ON EBAY:
Once you’ve clicked onto a specific item, read the description of it and look at the picture, if there is one. Then look above the description for a small binocular icon to the right of the screen, near which are the words “watch this item.” Click on this icon to sign in to watch the item. You will need to be registered with eBay to do this.
HOW TO BID (MANUALLY, BY PROXY & BY BID SNIPING SOFTWARE OR TECHNOLOGY) ON EBAY:
Manually: Below the item’s description information there will be a box entitled, logically enough, “Bidding”. To the bottom left it will name the item, provide a partial description, and then list the “Opening Bid.” You must bid above this opening bid to win the item. Just beneath the “Opening Bid,” There are the words “Your Maximum Bid” and then a blank box. Fill in this box with the figure you’re comfortable bidding at this time. You can always go back in and increase your bid with another bid that raises your maximum.
Proxy Bids: However, if you want to bid one time and one time only you have two choices: the first is simply to bid your true maximum the first time around. The second option is to enter a “Proxy Bid” through eBay. “Proxy Bids” allow eBay to bid incrementally for you on your behalf up to your stated maximum. To enter a “Proxy Bid” you actually follow the same steps as you would for entering your first or maximum bid. Here’s the difference, as explained by eBay: “A proxy bid and a maximum bid are the same thing. To place a proxy bid, just enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay. eBay will then automatically bid up to your maximum amount for you. In this way, you can win the item at the lowest possible price. Your maximum bid is only placed when a competing bidder also bids up to that same amount.” Got that? In other words, if your first bid entered is your true maximum then it acts as a “Proxy Bid.” If, however, you want to change and up your bid you must go back to the item and reenter another, higher bid.
