Please note that each bid made is a binding contract to buy the item if you win. Only place bids on items that you intend to buy. You are responsible for reading the full item listing before making a bid.
Placing a bid
When placing a bid on an auction listing, enter the maximum amount that you'd want to pay for that item. Your bid will show as the minimum needed to beat the next highest bidder, in other words, the lowest competitive price. If another buyer bids again, the Hip system will continue the successive bidding on your behalf as indicated, up to and including your maximum bid, but not beyond. If you are no longer the highest bidder, you will receive an email notification.
For example: If the current bid is $0.05, and you enter a bid of $0.20, your bid will appear as $0.06. If another buyer bids $0.10, the system will increase your bid to $0.11 to stay ahead. It will continue to place your bids until the bid reaches $0.20. If another buyer were to bid $0.21, you'd need to increase your maximum bid to continue.
You can track all of your bidding activity in the Bids section (Members Area > Buying > Bids). If you're the highest bidder, a green 'High Bid' icon will appear with the listing. Unless you change your preferences, you'll receive an email one hour before the auction closes with details on the current bid price.