Auction bug (in General)

Thre is a major bug in the auctions (IMOP).

When you bid the "Buy now" amount, you receive the following message: "Error Placing Bid: The Buy Now price on this auction is x,xxx. Save yourself some time and Buy Now instead of bidding."

The problem is that if the "Starting bid" is much lower than the "Buy now" amount, I don't want to pay the "Buy now" amount. Rather, I want to pay *up to* the "Buy now" amount.

If no one else bids on the autioned item, I should be able to buy it for the "Starting bid" (or whatever Mr. Chairman decides I should pay for it).

In other words, if I am the first to bid an amount equal or greater than the "Buy now" amount, I should win the auction when it expires, when someone else bids the "Buy now" amount, or when someone clicks the "Buy now for $x,xxx" link.

Does this make any sense?

It makes some sense, but I don't agree it's a bug.

You're saying that if you put in a "max bid" equal to the BIN, you should win regardless, and only the price is still to be determined. That's not even remotely fair. If you want to guarantee you'll win the auction, you should have to fork over the BIN price. Otherwise, bid $1 less than the BIN, and take your chances.

It's called "Buy now", not "Buy it later if nobody else goes higher".

It works well as it is and doesn't need changed. You just need to bid what you're prepared to pay or run the risk of losing out (IMOP). ;)

Thanks for the comments.

My point is that if the seller wants to sell at "Buy now" price absolutely, then he should put the same amount for "Starting bid" and "Buy now" (at least, that is what I do).

"Buy now", IMOP, should be used if you need the item right away (like rare ammo for example).

However, I understand the arguments you have both posted. Which means that I agree that this is not a bug, but just a difference of opinions on how "Buy now" should work.

I still think my point of view is correct though... :)

The problem with your argument is that it is not really fair for other buyers or for the seller.

If you put in the buy now price and it worked as you suggest you also prevent anyone else actually doing the buy now as you would be the first person at that price. So in effect you guarantee you will get the item (the advantage of buy now as it currently stands) but without necessarily having to pay the buy now price. This is a classic case of having your cake and eating it too if I ever saw one ;).

If you want to pay up to almost the buy now, then as has been stated, put in $1 less. As long as no-one else is willing to do the buy now you'll get it.

place your bid for $1 CBD less than the buy now price. If someone else decides to use the buy now option, you lost, otheriwise, its all gravy.