How was I allowed to bid the same amount another individual had already bid?

[billretusa]

I bid on item 386271531741 and thought I was ahead but the item sold to another individual.   That amount is the same as my bid but apparently 4 days earlier.  Why was I not informed my bid was less?

[rock.star]

In the case of a tie the bidder who bid first is the winner. 

[gosimus]

@billretusa 

< Why was I not informed my bid was less? >    

I've never bid the exact amount of a previous bidder, but I have bid less.  In those cases, I was informed immediately upon submitting the bid that I was behind, and prompted to bid again.  That alert doesn't come up in the case of a tie? 

By tying another bidder, my guess would be that you bid an even amount.  You should always determine how much is the most you would pay for the item, and not a dollar more, then add a few cents.  There's a greatly lesser likelihood of a tie at, for example, $50.16 than there is at $50.00 even. 

Hmm... greatly lesser.  Surely there's a better way of saying that.