End of last second bid "sniping" coming soon

Didn’t see an announcement from eBay other then some users got an email, but it looks like eBay is rolling out automatic auction end timer on auction style listings. According to sources any bid placed between 2 minutes/1 minute of close (depending on testing) the end time will be extended, 1-2 minutes.

Doing a little research some users were notified of this as far back as May, but I still see no official announcement posted by ebay.

A screen shot from a friend who got a notification this week when opening the app.

Personally I don’t hate this.

Does this blurb count?


I don’t, either! I use more BIN than auctions, but if bidders want to duke it out at the buzzer, no problem.

I was curious about whether the countdown would keep restarting or just once, but the ebay blurb clarified that the countdown will indeed restart until there are no more (actual) last-minute bids.

But there are Buyers who will be mad about it.

I guess that counts, but this feels like a major platform change that seems to be getting no real announcement.

The way it works on like every other auction platform and in live in person auctions, each bid resets the clock, again and again and again. If two bidders are going at it I’ve seen live auctions just keep going and the lot takes 5+ minutes to close (once one bidder gives up).

I have been aware of the test.

I too am not aware of the rollout, if there is one.

The messages may only have been set to bidders and/or sellers who are active in the category.

Given the number of Ebay auctions which draw only 1 bid, or 2 bids, I welcome the change. I would welcome any extra bids.

The largest number of complainers about the change are chronic bottom feeders who never allow Ebay to automatically bid for them.

I cannot imagine any sellers who would complain.

I have been a auctions where any lot which did not advance from an opening bid was passed. I might prefer the option to have that feature.

It’s the final countdo… ding

It’s the final count… ding

It’s the final countdow… ding

It’s the final countd… ding

I’ve always thought that Ebay’s method was silly because almost all other auctions keep going when new bids come in…

exception being school fundraiser auction in the “old” days of clipboards and pens… there’d be at least 3 moms (their oldest or only kid’s class) hovering over the piece of paper for the class art piece trying to make deals with each other for a “timeshare” scenario and some really drunk mom with her youngest kid (of her 5 kids) in that class would swoop in and up the bid by $100… and then forget to pick up the art afterward.