What's up with eBay bid increments right now?
Ok ... have I lost my mind? Did they make a change?
As I have always known it and current eBay policy pages show the following bid increment schedule:
I'm looking at and bidding on a handful of auctions that are below $25 (should be 50c increment) and some below $5 (should be 25c increment) and they are forcing $1 increments!?!? WHATS UP MAN!?!?
Example auctions -- look at what it would take for you to place a bid and/or look at bid history
https://www.ebay.com/itm/316489526831
https://www.ebay.com/itm/267184752246
https://www.ebay.com/itm/267184748861
https://www.ebay.com/itm/267184745358
60 comments
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@ittybitnot,
"If you are a buyer in the test and your bid increment is $1, and everyone else gets an increment of fifty cents, you might think something is 'bad about it'"
No I wouldn't, because my ONE snipe bid will be for the most I'm willing to pay, not a one or two increment bid. If my bid is placed earlier because I can't be at my computer at the end, I don't care what the nibblers bids are.
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@jntu,
The bid increment tests are not unfair nor discriminatory. They are disruptive for those used to bidding on low start price auctions. But honestly I think it is a good thing, especially for new sellers who have taken ebay's bad advice to: start auctions at a low price to encourage bidding since many of them only get a couple of bids resulting in cancellations of the sale.
Since it only seems to affect auctions whose price range is between $1 and $25, I don't see anything particularly bad about it. I do not think I've ever bid on an item that was worth less than $20 on ebay. Since I always bid at the end of auctions, my one bid will be for the most the item is worth to me. I don't want to waste my time bidding against nibble bidders one increment at a time. As shown in the bid history below, with Show automatic bids enabled.
https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/316489526831?item=316489526831&rt=nc&_trksid=p4429486.m145235.l2565
There is supposed to be a feedback link on bidding pages where you can tell ebay directly what you think about the test. Do a Google search for " Bid increment test 2025, ebay " there's more info there in the AI overview.
ittybitnot
·1 year agoI don't see anything particularly bad about it.
@mudshark61369
If you are a buyer in the test and your bid increment is $1, and everyone else gets an increment of fifty cents, you might think something is 'bad about it'.
halite1
·1 year agoThis just started effecting my main account on May 11th. It is not effecting other accounts I have access to. Customer service says it's in their terms and services that they can experiment like this and said I could not opt out. So why would I use my account to bid anymore? I have never had a site before roll out changes to select users that directly effect how much money you will be spending. This is egregious.
jntu
·1 year agoSame here.
The new bid increment disparities are unfair and discriminatory.
We have greatly reduced our activity because of this and we may be cancelling our account of 25 years.
georgem533
·1 year agoThis 50% "test" is so unfair...to both buyers & sellers. It's not right that on a low end item someone can increase bid by .25 but I and others have to raise by $1. I have often recently bid higher than the winning bid but Ebay won't accept it bc it is not $1 more. Total **bleep**! End this test.
millies_ferret_treasures
·1 year agoThat could be a violation of fair pricing laws depending on state. Generally businesses are expected to have the same pricing structure for all customers. prob why ebay is so desperate to get us to accept the new even worse arbitration agreements
bennotbill
·1 year ago"LESS COMPLEX"
I remember ebay saying similar way back on .uk when they put the fees up to 10%. Saying that it would now be so much easier for sellers to work out total fees. As if they were doing sellers a favour.
Most took the view that there was nothing difficult as it stood and instead of ebay questioning users basic maths they should just have been straight and honest about the fee rise.
floriantet
·1 year agoI have experienced the same increase in bid increments for my account.
The increase does not appear for my daughter's account.
My conclusion is that eBay is either punishing users who place many bids, increasing the bid increment for them, or believe they can make more money from those (for example, an item at $1 ending in 10 seconds, no one else bidding, my daughter can win with a bid and end price of $1.06 while my only choice is to bid $1.25 to win with an end price of $1.25).
Why does eBay think some need to pay more for the same items than others? Some 'genius' eBay manager: ''Oh, we have 1 million bids a day, if we increase bid increment by 19 cents, that is $190,000, oh, we can increase our salaries."
Unfair practices and user discrimination eBay!
nobody*s_perfect
·1 year agoSmall point of clarification: If an auction has no other bidders, then you can bid the opening bid price. And no matter how high you bid, if there's only one bidder then the auction will sell for the opening bid. So in your example, both you and your daughter would win for $1.00.
On the other hand, if there's a second bidder then the different bid increments would come into play. Is it possible that different bidders on the same auction would be encountering different bid increments?
danscha_8714
·1 year agoIt seems so to me. I just lost an auction (in the $1-$5 range) where my bids had a minimum increment of a dollar - the bid was $2, I bid $3, and the current bid became $3 instead of $2.25. But, the final selling price was only $0.25 over my high bid. I lost another auction ($5-$25) where again my bids had a minimum increment of $1 but, when I placed a bid that was not below the true maximum bid, the new current bid became only $0.50 more than my maximum bid. So, in both cases other buyers got the benefit of lower increments than I got.
It should go without saying that this is extremely unfair. At the bare minimum, eBay should ensure that all bidders on the same auction are subject to the same terms.
danscha_8714
·1 year agoInterestingly, the increments seem to have reverted for me ~yesterday.
(But, bids I previously placed are still subject to the higher increments, including for items which haven't ended yet.)
floriantet
·1 year agogeorgem533
·1 year agoIt's happening to me too. I've contacted Ebay 4 times. They have no answers.
wastingtime101
·1 year agoeBay updated the help page. Check the blue banner.
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/bidding/automatic-bidding?id=4014
"We're currently testing out new bid increments in order to make the bidding process less complex for both buyers and sellers. As a result, you may experience a difference in your bid increments from the chart below."
ittybitnot
·1 year agoWe’re currently testing out new bid increments in order to make the bidding process less complex for both buyers and sellers.
@wastingtime101
Oh, please. "LESS COMPLEX" is a new one. Is that like "streamlined"? I don't think the increments were so complex they defied understanding....LOL... Sometimes I just wish these people would tell the truth for a change.
runner8315
·1 year agoI just chatted with customer service, and this new bidding increment is being applied to 50% of "USA Buyers" as part of a "test." As others have mentioned, this is shady, unfair, and frankly seems illegal due to its random discriminatory nature. How can you post a bid increment policy and then not apply it to everyone? Those of us who are being 'tested' on did not consent to it.
starboardset
·1 year agoFor the first time tonight (April 6), I just noticed this increased bid increment of $1 instead of $.25 like it's supposed to be for items under $5.
If this is a "test", then eBay should have posted an easily visible warning on the homepage or sent out bulk emails warning everybody in advance.
run23
·1 year agoEbay has screwed up royally with this new bidding system, in effect putting a tariff on lower-priced bids and letting big time bidders off the hook. If Ebay is following in Dear Leader's footsteps on screwing people, then I am gone. This **bleep** is nonsense and I'm not putting up with it. For the record I've bid here since 2004, bid thousands of times, spent thousands of dollars. But if they keep this change, I am gone and I am going to tell the many sellers I have bought from why.
ittybitnot
·1 year agoEbay has screwed up royally with this ....
@run23
eBay said it is a test. so it is an INTENDED action, not a glitch. A test of what did not get a reply. Just my guess, of course, but likely a test to see if anyone notices. They are going to put it on the mobile application as well, so changing devices will likely no longer work, Customer dissatisfaction has never stopped eBay from installing options intended to make eBay more money, and as my old friend George used to say about eBay:
TODAY'S GLITCH IS TOMORROW'S POLICY
as well as:
Chaos is not an industry standard
jr-silverado
·1 year agoTARIFFS ????
jr-silverado
·1 year agoAlways fixing something that was not broke, thanks ebay
trancehc
·1 year agosomebody needs to hit 'em with a class action for discriminatory policies please
bik-37
·1 year agoHere's an example of a bid history, currently going up in $0.50 increments, yet if I want to bid, the increment is $1.00.
https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/267204337328
Place bid
$11.65 current bid + Free shipping
14 bids · 17m 35s left
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@ajs_coins_and_alchemy, @lacemaker3 , @ittybitnot , @janet9988 , @valueaddedresource
I just saw an email that could explain what is going on.
https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/abblog/blog.pl?/pl/2025/3/1742582702.html
It looks like Artifishy Intelligence is at it again.
valueaddedresource
·1 year ago@mudshark61369 thanks but that just references this thread, including the reply from Devon in message 23 which confirmed it was a test 5 days ago so....there's not really any new information, nor does that article or Devon's response say anything about AI. 🤷â€
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/What-s-up-with-eBay-bid-increments-right-now/m-p/34994296#M516741
navindr
·1 year agoIt is also unfair that the others get to have the $0.50 increment when I have to increase my bid by $1 (when current bid is between $5 and $25). If I could increase my bid by $0.50, I might bid again, but with $1 increment, I let the item go. Case in point: I had 15 seconds left to win this auction if I had the option of bidding $12.50, but chose not to bid $13.
navindr
·1 year agoI have the same issue too. If current bid is under $1, it is requiting a $0.25 increment, and then $1 increment upto $25. If my max bid would have been $5, previously I was able to bid on an item all the way until bid reached $4.75. But now, I skip bidding if the bid has already reached $4 and change, and let the item sell for that low price rather than pay an unreasonably (25%!) higher increment. I was anyway spending too much on eBay, and I am hoping this would get my spending under control.
valueaddedresource
·1 year agoThanks for that confirmation @devon@ebay !
devon@ebay
Hey @ajs_coins_and_alchemy! I wanted to jump in and share that currently this is apart of some testing that is being conduct by our Product team and they thank yourself and others for the feedback.
Update as of 3/28/25
The Product team would also like to clarify changes that have been tested will soon apply to the eBay mobile app.
ittybitnot
·1 year agothis is apart of some testing that is being conduct by our Product team and
@devon@ebay
Thanks for the information. So, if the bid increments are "increased" when bidding and no longer reflect the published page/schedule should we advise users to simply try another device so they don't get "cheated" unnecessarily? i.e. you only have to raise your bid $0.25 instead of being forced to enter an increase of $1 if you bid on a different device?
Thank you for telling us this is being done ON PURPOSE, as it likely took some courage.
What is eBay testing? To see if anyone notices? Certainly not to provide a "better buyer experience".
janet9988
·1 year agoSO GOOD TO KNOW THAT THE POLICY PAGE IS WRONG FOR THOSE HONEST BIDDERS WHO FOLLOW the EBAY POLICIES SHOWN TO THEM.
bik-37
·1 year agoThis "testing" is costing bidders, without notice or warning, going against the currently published bid increment policy. What effective recourse do buyer's have to correct this, preferably before auctions end? Currently, binding contracts are being changed erroneously, with buyers forced to pay incorrect amounts.
ittybitnot
·1 year agoThis "testing" is costing bidders, without notice or warning, going against the currently published bid increment policy.
@bik-37
So it is still ongoing?
bik-37
·1 year agoYes, checked it a few minutes ago. And it's not applied equally as some users are having to bid in higher increments while others are not. Not only is this blatantly unfair, it also makes a difference in bidding and bidding strategies and can cost those being forced to use higher increments more.
Ebay's stated bidding increment policy is NOT being followed across the board. Link to the posted policy:
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/bidding/automatic-bidding?id=4014&st=3&pos=1
violets8
·1 year agoMy feedback: I don't like the new increments being tested on me. I am buying from wholesalers and the items all start at $2.99 and $3.99. An increment of $1.00 is ridiculous at those prices. My 2¢, for what it is worth.
nobody*s_perfect
·1 year agoSorry; you must put in at least 50 cents.
rfp2000
·1 year agoThis new bidding is going to make me stop bidding altogether. I can't stand it!
I have been trying to bid on many items less than $1.00 and can't bid in less than .25 increments now... so screw it , I will stop bidding from now on.
ogres_oddities
·1 year agoTest over. It was a failure. If it doesn't revert to the way it was I'll stop bidding on a lot of items except for the initial opening bid.
ittybitnot
·1 year ago@ajs_coins_and_alchemy
FWIW, I checked each ot the listings you posted. ALL show the correct increment for the "next bid". I am using WIN 10Pro, Chrome browser on a PC.
I am glad, as a buyer, you brought this issue to our attention. Off hand guesses...eBay is getting ready to change the increments, rolling changes out before the announcement, rolling out to see if anyone notices (test). Tag the blues, if you are ignored it is likely a test which is often the prelude to an intended change.
As my old friend used to say:
"Today's glitch is tomorrows policy". Or "Chaos" is not industry standard...LOLOL
valueaddedresource
·1 year ago@ajs_coins_and_alchemy you're welcome! Just for fun, I tested listings across a bunch of different categories - trading cards, headphones, jewelry, car parts - and they're all showing me the $1 bid increment for lower value items which should have lower increments, so at least for me it appears to likely be a sitewide issue.
I've put in a report through the ? too so hopefully that will help bump it up on the priority list.
valueaddedresource
·1 year ago@ajs_coins_and_alchemy I just checked all 4 of the examples you provided and it's showing me $1 bid increments on all of them in both Firefox and Chrome.
Here's a screenshot of one showing just like yours.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year ago@valueaddedresource
Thank you! At least I'm not alone 😂😂
roccotacodad54
·1 year agoWht not just put in your max bid and let it be? Check it later and see if you won or not.
nobody*s_perfect
·1 year agoMaybe their max bid is less than the mistaken required increment.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year agoI noticed this while bidding on a lot of low value items. If the items were going to sell for $100+ I'd agree with you partially. Some of the items I bid on last night will sell $5-$10
1. Like nobody*s_perfect said, maybe my max bid is below the erroneous bid increment.
2. Being low value items, a $3 bid ($1 increment) may win, where a $2.25 bid (25c increment) would've also won, forcing me to pay an extra 75c due to a glitch.
3. Because fundamentally, no matter if the glitch costs anyone any money or not, and no matter how small the difference is now.... it is a fundamental glitch that needs to be addressed by eBay. It just so happens to be occuring on low value items. What stops this glitch from occuring on higher value items on higher increments? Fundamentally costs people more money and I direct you back to point #1 as well. What if the bid increment on a $250 item was $25 instead of $5, or a $500 item being $50 not $10.
lacemaker3
·1 year ago@ajs_coins_and_alchemy
I am seeing the expected 25¢ and 50¢ bid increments on all those auctions, using a laptop with WIN11 and FireFox.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year ago@lacemaker3
Windows 11 & Chrome
Here is a pic of trying to place a bid, note $1 increment. Some of those auctions i placed bids, you should see $1 bid increment in bid history.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year agoOk ... update ... bidding on my laptop shows I need to do the $1 increments and will actually accept and place a bid of a $1 higher increment, but using phone app the bid increments are normal... ODD
wastingtime101
·1 year agoIs it possible you're misinterpreting the "suggested" bid amounts at the top (blue buttons) and neglecting the "required" minimum bid amount underneath the text box?
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year ago@wastingtime101
I wish I was misinterpretting something .... see recent reply w/ pic proof.
P.S., we are showing photo from same auction. Your system showing 25c increment, my system showing $1 increment. My phone showing proper 25c increment.
ETA:
wastingtime101
·1 year agoIf you try a browser other than Chrome, is the error replicated?
If you enter $2.50 in the box, does the bid button turn blue or stay gray?
@ajs_coins_and_alchemy
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year ago@wastingtime101
$2.50 gray, $3.24 gray, $3.25 blue.
Chrome -- $3.25
Microsoft Edge -- $3.25
(Just downloaded Firefox for this test) --- Firefox $3.25
wastingtime101
·1 year agoThat's pretty odd. My advice for right now:
1. Click the ? icon on the lower right corner of the listing page to report the problem.
2. Use your phone to bid for now until this is fixed.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year ago1. Going to do that now
2. Frustrating as heck but already ahead of you. You know I bid to flip, I've got over 100 auctions to go through tonight. I have dual screen setup on my laptop, I research on one screen and bid on another and take notes in watchlist... toggling bid on phone & research on laptop is a pain and also take notes on another screen even worse. Ugh -- ruining my system 😛
I am literally baffled by this bid increment issue though, this is literally nutty. I looked at bid history on phone and it did accept and place my $1 increment bids, so it's not just a display error, it's (potentially) forcing me to pay 75c more than I could theoretically pay if the bid increment was properly 25c and I win ... we're talking pennies here but that is a real issue if it's truly forcing a higher bid increment against policy.
lacemaker3
·1 year ago@ajs_coins_and_alchemy, I am still seeing the correct bid increment in the place-bid window, like @wastingtime101's screenshot. I do see where the increment is wrong in your screenshot, though.
For what it's worth, it looks like it is using the correct bid increment after you place the bid, in the bid history though. I think this is the same auction as above, but after you placed your bid. You're in the lead, and only 25¢ over the previous high bid ($4.00), even though the showing high bid was only $2.25. It doesn't look like it will cost you anything on this auction (at least).
But it does seem to have used $1.00 instead of 50¢ here, on this one. Why is this one different? Curiouser and curiouser.
ajs_coins_and_alchemy
OP1 year ago🤯 mind blown