auction winner's bid lower than minimum increment

Question

My high bid on an item was $288, the winner's bid was $290, wouldn't the next highest bid after my $288 bid be at least $293?

momtoabeautifuldaughter · Accepted Answer

If they had placed a proxy bid it would just go up to whatever amount was needed to win the auction is my understanding.

eburtonlab · Answer

To be a valid bid, the bid must be at least one bid increment above the current showing bid amount, not the hidden maximum amount of the high bidder's bid, which eBay does not display.

That means that two bidders can bid the same amount, or any other amount as long as it is at least one increment above the showing bid amount. In the case of a tie, the earlier bidder is considered the winner; otherwise the high bidder is the winner and pays up to one bid increment above the second highest bidder's maximum bid amount up to the winner's maximum amount.