Ok, I don't like Ebay. Just thought I'd get that out of the way.

My windscreen mount for my SatNav died, and my pal mailed me an ebay listing for a cheap replacement. Ordered, paid for and dispatched. That isn't the issue, but it did give me the urge to go and hunt around the other listings.

I saw a TV, same as mine, supposedly from a reputable seller.

It was dirt cheap, so I added a quid and bid.

As soon as I hit confirm bid, it flashes up, I've just been outbid.

So, I add a quid - ditto.

And again. And again, ad lib, ad nauseum.

WTF is going on? Is there a system where you can automatically bid up to a budgeted amount? Is this what is happening? Or is it just [LIFTED]?

I'm not a regular Ebayer, so forgive me if there is a straightforward explanation, I just find it damned annoying.

Dude thats how eBay works. You enter your maximum bid and bids are automatically entered for you up to that maximum. Think of an auction house bidding war and someone is doing it on your behalf while you're sat at home with your feet up.

So, if an item is listed at £10 starting bid and I bid £30, assuming there are no other bidders at that time, it will just add £1, and keep bumping up in increments to my limit as others bid on the item?

There are sniper applications available iirc, but don't know anything about them.

You should just decide the maximum amount you would want to pay, bid that amount and then wait for the email telling you if you won or not.