www.iva.co.uk

I finally got round to registering on E-bay today as I found a CD that I have been searching for since last Summer. I put in what I thought appeared to be a good bid and remained the "winner" all day long. Then less than one minute before the end of the auction someone outbid me by 50p - so no CD for me.

Is this normal? Does anyone have any tips to avoid a last minute bid hi-jack??? I wonder if it was actually the original seller bidding for their own item as they were not happy with the price offered!!!

Unfortunately this is how ebay works ! i placed a bid yesterday for an item for my son.It was then outbid by another user.In the end it came down to me sitting infront of computer waiting for the seconds to count down and try and bid as quickly as possible !! i eventually won the item in the last 12 seconds lol . You can however make a bid ( which is the highest amount you are prepared to pay) and ebay can bid on your behalf until it reaches your limit.

Rachel -

Thank you for that. I am laughing about it now - I hope my "hi-jacker" enjoys the CD!!!! I have just trawled E-Bay again and have found ANOTHER copy of the CD I want - cant believe it after spending so much time searching through shops.

This one has a "Buy Now" option but the price is high. I think I will swallow my pride and pay the asking price!! I understand that I should then be guaranteed success????

Still cant really believe E-Bay - hope this seller is genuine!!!

Yes the buy now option can be good if the price is right ! I bought my son some footy shin pads this way on monday and they arrived wednesday morning. When biding check the sellers feedback .

You are now talking to the e-bay expert!!!

You either have to have the nerve to wait to up your bid right at the last minute, or put in a very high bid in the knowledge that you will probably get the item but maybe at an inflated price.

I have spent many an evening clicking at the last minute to ensure my win! It does get addictive after a while.

Melanie you have hidden talents lol !

Melanie you sound like my mum, she IS the ebay queen. We even downloaded her a song about buying on ebay.

Shes also very addicted to shopping channels

I love getting my little parcels of goodies sent to the office! The staff think I am mad but it is like getting a little birthday present every week, and for very little outlay!

It's great for small treats and inexpensive christmas and birthday presents too.

I think I will take the "Buy Now" option wherever possible - losing out with 10 seconds to go is bad for the blood pressure!!!!

Oh OPTIMIST, live dangerously LOL

Mel, my mum has been buying a LOT of pine bedroom furniture from ebay, all heavy stuff.
Anyway its been the same guy delivering it each time and today he said to her "pleeeeease dont buy any more"

Don't exactly know where to find it, but i am told there is software available to download for free that wil bid for you, right up to the last second.
i suppose it spoils the rush for ladies like Melanie who obviously like to live life on the edge! x

Yes - I will try again on the fast finger auctions - but I think the fixed price is preferable if it is something you really really want.

And Hurrah for PayPal - they accepted my Visa Electron!!!

Im a bit of a thicko, i tried to open a paypal acc but couldnt get my head round it so now if i want anything, mother bids for me and uses her paypal.

I would have another go mrs. skint - I did it immediately after registering on e-bay today - and it seemed pretty straightforward.

And I just checked my e-mails and there is a message from E-bay telling me that I was not successful in the auction for my CD!!! I would like to send an e-mail to my 20 second hi-jacker and tell them I think that they are very mean!!!