Bidding Problem: Two different countdown times show between BID and CONFIRM BID screens.

[lifeofbryan73]

Usually on the last 10-20 seconds of an item, I will click BID and the CONFIRM BID window will pop up, continuing the countdown without interruption. When the clock shows "0 seconds," the auction is over. Right?

HOWEVER, lately, once I place a bid with several seconds remaining on the clock, the CONFIRM BID window will pop up with MORE TIME SHOWING (like 15 or 20 seconds). Then eBay's system will try and correct the two different countdowns, but then BOTH times will slow down as a result. There's a bit of chaos as the system tries to reflect the ACCURATE time remaining. I'll confirm my bid with 3 seconds remaining and be winning the auction. Then 2 seconds. Then one second. Then zero.  I think I won the auction.

BUT NOW ON THE OTHER SCREEN, THE CLOCK KEEPS RUNNING DOWN WITH MORE SECONDS ADDED (sometimes as much as 20 seconds). I can't put in another bid, and refreshing the page doesn't help. The seconds remaining vary in speed of counting down, and then the auction is OVER AGAIN, but now I see that I didn't win. The system wouldn't let me increase my bid, nor would it show accurate changes reflecting competing bids until the auction is over.

Has anyone experienced this? (I hope I explained it clearly.) I use Windows 10 and Windows 11 on two different desktops and one laptop, all at different locations. I experience this problem using FireFox and Microsoft Edge. 

[ok6948]

I have recently lost an auction though I raised my max bid at the last 10 seconds and momentarily countdown continued the message you won this auction appeared, then suddenly the message disappeared and a fresh seconds countdown appeared so someone else raised the bid and won the auction. I did the bidding from a latest android tablet using Chrome so time synch issues are out of the question, therefore I wonder what could be the issue in ebay's bidding software. It is understandable that a last moment bid could not to be accounted for, but the unexpected bidding time "extension" is unusual.  From now on I will screen record the biddings I take part and hopefully I will not come across this issue again. 

[tituspullo13th]

Yes and it's terrible. I'm posting this May 2023 and i just had that problem. I clicked place bid which opened up another useless pop up box dead center of the page blocking the apparently accurate timer, entered the amount, and clicked confirm with 5 seconds left. Then the screen refreshes and there is still 15 seconds left. 

In that time the item got bid up another 400 bucks.  I won, but I know it cost me a lot. 

I have no idea why they ruined the most basic element of bidding which is entering your bid as close to the end as you can. 

[tituspullo13th]

I  think I figured out the problem. I do suggest you should all check this out.

My computer was 14.9 seconds off according to this neat website 

https://time.is/

So I believe what happens is that the auction page shows the exact time to the second, but when you click "place bid" that timer is showing the time of your computer. I adjusted my pc to be 0.9 seconds ahead, closest I could get it after a few tries. Now the pop up box time and the auction page time are in synch. 

[micblan-58]

Yes correct I am experiencing some of the same issues. I’ve tried to do some last second bidding at auction myself, only to experience I can’t see a countdown timer while using my iPhone. The last three auctions I have bid on I have lost. 
almost seems like Ebay has changed the whole bidding/auction process in order for bidders  to start throwing out higher auction prices which in turn makes them more money. I’ve been a seller since 2018 and like most sellers I have been through the ups and downs of selling on eBay. Luckily I don’t sell many items anymore as I’m sure once I’m provided with a up and coming future  1099K small business tax form I will quit completely. Years ago buying and selling on eBay was fun and profitable. Now seems like the only ones making money is corporate Ebay. 👎🏻

[ppvja]

I just lost an auction due to huge different count down times between the place bid and item itself. This is totally unnaceptable!

I bid on the place bid and it showed that my was the higher one. But the auction remained for another 40 or so seconds and I was outbid....

I'm a member since 2005.

[eburtonlab]

I just lost an auction due to huge different count down times between the place bid and item itself.

You were able to bid successfully prior to that.

You lost an auction because someone outbid your maximum bid, or else because you failed to bid your maximum amount when you did bid.

Problems with your computer's time can affect your ability to place a bid at the end of an auction, but this did not cause you to lose. Correcting the time issue can help you to place a bid in a timely fashion, but if you fail to bid your maximum or if someone else is willing to bid more than you, you may still not win.

[kh-stanley1]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread HERE if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.