Post #808119 by TIKIGIKI on Sat, Feb 25, 2023 5:00 PM

Yes kohalacharms, ....a very common scam indeed Although anybody who bids anytime in advance is just setting themselves up for this sort of thing. You are only putting the price up for yourself!

So you want something on eBay? DON'T MAKE ANY BIDS OR SHOW ANY INTEREST DURING THE LEAD UP AT ALL! NONE!!! Ascertain just when the auction will close, (yes you might have to get up in the middle of the night) but the time is clearly shown in all ads. Then sit by your computer, enter an amount WELL ON THE GENEROUS SIDE, ...then press the first button, which will bring up a "review offer" panel and a small countdown clock. Just sit, watching the countdown and wait until the very last TEN SECONDS (or even less) before hitting the Place Bid button.

This short period does not give time for any competition to outbid you, and your very generous offer should automatically outbid any hidden pre-made ones. Remember, the way the auction works, you will never pay your full amount. You will get the item for $1 over the previous top bid. I have used this method frequently, and have lost out only once to a ridiculously over the top "hidden" bid.

You guessed it, ....only a few hours later I got a message to say I had a second chance!

[ Edited by TIKIGIKI on 2023-02-26 17:11:13 ]