Auction glossaryMax Bid: How Proxy Bidding Works at Online Auctions
A max bid is the highest amount you're willing to pay for a lot, entered once in advance. The auction system then bids for you, one increment at a time, only as much as needed to keep you in the lead, and stops at your limit. It's also called a proxy bid.
How does a max bid work?
Say the high bid is $100 and you enter a max of $300. The system bids $125 for you, the next bid increment. If another bidder bids $150, it answers with $175 on your behalf, and keeps answering until your $300 is used up. You often win for well under your max.
What happens when two max bids tie?
On Auktia, if two bidders enter the same max, the earlier one wins. That's a reason to set your max early rather than in the final minute. Nobody, including the auctioneer, can see your max.
Why does a max bid beat last-second bidding?
You decide your price once, calmly, instead of in the final seconds. Combined with a soft close, it takes the edge away from bid sniping. Our max bid guide covers how to pick the number.
Questions people ask
Can other bidders see my max bid?
No. Only the current high bid shows, and the system never bids more of your max than it needs to stay ahead.
Should my max include the buyer's premium?
A max bid is a hammer price, so the premium, tax and any shipping come on top. Decide your all-in limit first, then work back to the max.