Volume 1, Issue 2                                                                                                             July 1997

Hints from Heidi

Dear Readers:
I have noticed that there are a good deal of users who are confused because they get "outbid" immediately after placing their own bid. Allow me to explain. 

When you bid, you need to place the highest bid you are willing to make. Only you and the system will know what this bid is. This way, you can leave your computer, grab some java, and if anyone places a bid higher than your minimum, the system will automatically "up" your bid just enough to beat their bid.

When you place a bid and are immediately outbid, you are being outbid by another person who has already placed their maximum bid in the system. For example. If you place a bid at $1 and someone else places a bid at $2, you will be outbid. If you place a maximum bid of $3 and someone else places a bid at $2, he/she will be outbid. If you place a maximum bid at $3 and someone else places a maximum bid at $3.25, the system will automatically place a bid for the other person and another bid for you until a high bid is finally reached.

To the inexperienced user, this can be frustrating. Especially if you are unfamiliar with the mores of placing a maximum bid. Take my advice. Place your maximum, sit back, and relax. The system will take care of the rest.

Dear Heidi:
I was recently high bidder for an item that the seller had a reserve price. Unfortunately, my bid was below the reserve. My question is that when I'm notified that the bid is below the reserve, does that release me from having to honor that bid?
Wrestling With Reserves

Dear Wrestler:
Yes, that releases you from having to honor the bid. In fact, the seller has no obligation to sell the item when the reserve price hasn't been met. This is the nature of a reserve auction. Now, if you were the high bidder and your bid was above the reserve, you and the seller would agree to go complete the transaction.

Dear Heidi:
I need to change my information listed in my registry. Specifically I need to change my address because I have moved.  Please help.
New Home in New Hampshire

Dear New Home:
Congratulations on your move.  eBay makes it very easy for you to change your registration information. Go to http://www2.ebay.com/aw/change-registration.html.  Enter your registered address and password, and the instructions at the site will guide you through the rest!

Until next time -
Heidi