eBay Live Auctions: Help: Basics: Learn How to Bid

Learn How to Bid

Learn How to Browse | Learn How to Register | Learn How to Bid | Group Bidding | How is eBay different?

In certain types of auctions, auctioneers are allowed to group lots during the event. For example, in Business and Industrial auctions the auctioneer may decide to group 5 chairs that were previously 5 lots into one bundle that will be auctioned as a single unit.

Grouping-Enabled Auctions
Lots that are part of auctions that allow grouping have information in the View Item page telling you that the item may be grouped.

Bidding on Grouped Lots
eBay Live Auctions supports four types of grouping options.

1 times bid

N times bid

Choice with no minimum

Choice with a minimum

The type of grouping is shown in the lot description area, next to the lot image.

Times Bid Groupings
The winning bidder buys all of the lots (items) in the group.

1 Times Bid Group
The bid amount is for all of the lots in the group. The winning bidder pays the bid amount.

For example, if you had the winning bid of $50, you would pay $50 for the group of five lots.
N Times Bid Group
The bid amount is for only one lot in the group. The winning bidder pays the bid amount multiplied by the number of lots in the group.

For example, if you had the winning bid of $50 you would pay $250 for the group of five lots (5 times $50).

Choice Groupings
These types of groupings allow the winning bidder to select the lots he or she wants from a particular group.

Choice with No Minimum
The winning bidder may buy one or as many lots as he or she wants from the group.

The winning bidder does not have to buy sequentially and can buy any number of lots.

Absentee bids are considered.

Choice with a Minimum
The winning bidder must buy at least the minimum number specified by the auctioneer.

The choice must be sequential. The winning bidder must select starting from the first lot in the group.

The winning bidder may select any number of lots between the minimum number set by the auctioneer and the total number of lots in the group.

Selecting lots after you have won a Choice Groupings auction
Important: If you are the winning bidder, you have a pre-set amount of time to select the lots you want from the group. If you do not buy in the time allotted, the auctioneer may select the minimum number set by the Choice type, or cancel the sale.

To select your lots, click the checkboxes next to the lots you want. Your selection depends on the rules of the choice type.

For example,
If you won a Choice with a minimum auction, you would need to select your lots starting from the first lot and select the minimum number of lots set by the auctioneer

If you won a Choice with no minimum you could pick any lot in the group, and would not need to select lots sequentially or buy the first lot listed.

Continue on for more information about what to do before the auction, during the auction, and after the auction.

Next, Learn about Group Bidding

Welcome to Live Auctions

•  Welcome
•  Why it is safe?
•  How Live Auctions work
•  What do I need to participate?
•  How to Search
•  Terminology

Still have a question? Ask our Live Auctions support staff at lasupport@ebay.com.

Copyright © 1995-2005 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eBay User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Live Auction User Agreement.

		Grouping-Enabled Auctions Lots that are part of auctions that allow grouping have information in the View Item page telling you that the item may be grouped.

		Bidding on Grouped Lots eBay Live Auctions supports four types of grouping options. 1 times bid N times bid Choice with no minimum Choice with a minimum The type of grouping is shown in the lot description area, next to the lot image.

		Times Bid Groupings The winning bidder buys all of the lots (items) in the group. 1 Times Bid Group The bid amount is for all of the lots in the group. The winning bidder pays the bid amount. For example, if you had the winning bid of $50, you would pay $50 for the group of five lots. N Times Bid Group The bid amount is for only one lot in the group. The winning bidder pays the bid amount multiplied by the number of lots in the group. For example, if you had the winning bid of $50 you would pay $250 for the group of five lots (5 times $50).

		Choice Groupings These types of groupings allow the winning bidder to select the lots he or she wants from a particular group. Choice with No Minimum The winning bidder may buy one or as many lots as he or she wants from the group. The winning bidder does not have to buy sequentially and can buy any number of lots. Absentee bids are considered.

		Choice with a Minimum The winning bidder must buy at least the minimum number specified by the auctioneer. The choice must be sequential. The winning bidder must select starting from the first lot in the group. The winning bidder may select any number of lots between the minimum number set by the auctioneer and the total number of lots in the group.

		Selecting lots after you have won a Choice Groupings auction Important: If you are the winning bidder, you have a pre-set amount of time to select the lots you want from the group. If you do not buy in the time allotted, the auctioneer may select the minimum number set by the Choice type, or cancel the sale. To select your lots, click the checkboxes next to the lots you want. Your selection depends on the rules of the choice type. For example, If you won a Choice with a minimum auction, you would need to select your lots starting from the first lot and select the minimum number of lots set by the auctioneer If you won a Choice with no minimum you could pick any lot in the group, and would not need to select lots sequentially or buy the first lot listed.

Continue on for more information about what to do before the auction, during the auction, and after the auction.
Next, Learn about Group Bidding