eBay auctions

The robot bids on eBay lots for you: how it works, when the money is charged and what happens after a win

General questions

How do robot auctions differ from manual bids?
In the «eBay auctions» section the robot bids for you, and this service is free. Manual bids stay part of the «Shopping assistance» service: the lot is handled by an operator, the commission is 7% of the lot value but not less than $7, plus $2 for taking part in the auction.
How does it work?
You find a lot on eBay and set the highest price you are willing to pay, and our robot bids for you. It waits until the end and places your bid 3 seconds before the auction closes.
Why does the robot bid in the last seconds?
If the bid goes in earlier, other bidders see it and start outbidding you, and the price grows. The robot bids at the very end, when there is no time left to outbid it, so you get the lot cheaper more often.
How much do auctions cost?
The robot is free, there is nothing extra to pay. You pay for the lot, the shipping and the duties, if there are any.
Can I place a bid myself?
In this section only the robot places bids. You set your maximum, change it or withdraw the lot. If you want an operator to handle the bidding, place an order through the «Shopping assistance» service.
How do I know the robot has really placed the bid?
The lot card shows the robot's bid and the time we last checked it. If the bid is not confirmed, we will write to you.
What do I do if I am outbid?
Raise your maximum above the current price, otherwise the lot goes to another bidder. While the auction runs, you can change your maximum as many times as you like.
What maximum should I set?
Avoid round numbers. $52 works better than $50, and $101 better than $100, this way your bid beats someone else's round one.
When is the money charged?
We charge the lot price from your balance as soon as the robot places the bid. Seller's shipping above 20 dollars is charged at the same time, together with the bid. Shipping under 20 dollars is charged after the win.
Why should I keep funds on my balance?
After a win we charge the seller's shipping under 20 dollars, and for lots outside the US the duties as well. Your balance can go negative at that moment, so keep some funds on it if you can.
What if I do not win the lot?
The money goes back to your balance.
What if I win below my maximum?
You pay the price the lot closed at, and we return the difference to your balance.
What do I pay for besides the lot price?
For shipping from the seller to our warehouse, for shipping to your country, and for duties if the item comes from outside the US.
Can I bid on lots outside the US?
Yes. Keep in mind that such lots add the seller's shipping, the shipping to your country and the import duties. We learn the amounts after the win and charge them from your balance.
Can I cancel a bid or return a lot I won?
As soon as you win a lot, we buy it out immediately. That is why the buyout can no longer be cancelled and the lot cannot be returned.
Where do I find the lot I won?
It appears as a purchased order in the «Orders in progress» section. Once the lot arrives at the warehouse and you create a parcel, its number shows up in the auctions archive.
Can I collect lots from one seller to save on shipping?
No, this is not allowed when using our robot. We pay for every lot you win right away, and the seller ships the lots separately.
How do I choose a reliable seller?
You choose the seller. Look at the reviews, the fewer there are, the higher the share of positive ones must be. Under 50 reviews, take only sellers with 100 percent positive. From 50 to 200, 98 is enough. Above 200, 95 is enough. Reviews and seller rating are on the lot page on eBay, we do not show them in your account.
What items cannot be bought?
We will not buy items prohibited for shipping. We check every link automatically, and lots we are unsure about, for example those with shipping restricted to a particular country, go to a manual check.
What does the «Under review» status mean?
We are checking whether this item can be shipped. It usually takes up to 2 hours. While the check runs, we do not place the bid and keep the money reserved. If the item cannot be shipped, the money comes back.
What if a prohibited lot slips through the check?
Our automatic check catches almost everything, but it is not a 100 percent guarantee. We will not ship a prohibited item, even if it has already arrived at our warehouse. If a bid on such a lot wins, we will try to arrange a return to the seller, but this service is paid and costs 20 dollars per attempt. And if the item cannot be returned, we will not ship it and the money for the lot will not be refunded.
What happens if I break the rules?
We switch auctions off for any breach of the rules, right from the first time. After that our operators will place bids for you manually and for a separate fee.