When bidding for items on ebay someone always seems to place a higher bid in the last 5 seconds of the auction and win the item. I propose a system whereby the auction goes into extra time if there is a bid in the final minute and waits for a minute to allow people an opportunity to place a higher bid. The auction only times out when there has been no further bid for a full minute. This would mirror real-world auctions where the auctioneer calls out "for a third and final time...". I'm sure it would generate much higher sales returns for people selling on ebay.-- sporn, Mar 16 2004 Trade Me (a New Zealand based auction site) http://www.trademe.co.nz/Bakes idea above, except for two minutes instead of one. [benjamin, Oct 17 2004] Small site, limited appeal but nevertheless... http://www.scooter-auctions.co.ukI think it adds 15 mins after every bid. [paraffin power, Oct 17 2004] Gunbroker http://www.gunbroker.com/Has 15 min. Extension after bidding. [SunTzu, Oct 17 2004] Sort of pointless when folks are using bidding agents (as most are).-- bristolz, Mar 16 2004 not really bristolz as any bid in the final minute gives real people who are following the auction a chance to bid again.-- sporn, Mar 16 2004 Baked on another auction site. See link-- paraffin power, Mar 17 2004 well it isn't baked as I'm saying that ebay should do it and they don't.-- sporn, Mar 17 2004 What's the magic that distinguishes real bidders from software agents?-- HP LoveJet, Mar 17 2004 why does there need to be any?-- sporn, Mar 17 2004 HP magic? ebay knows if you are using it's software agent how else does it know when to increase your bid?-- engineer1, Mar 17 2004 Gunbroker already does this. They give an extra 15 minutes if there is a bid.
Yes it increases profit for the seller, but it makes it so you can’t find a good deal. If you can’t find a good deal why buy it on line? So the sellers would probably loose as much as they make. That is why Ebay offers the auto bidder.-- SunTzu, Mar 17 2004 random, halfbakery