Auctions: bid, win, complete
On Gunfinder you can buy and sell through auctions. Here you’ll learn how to place bids, how the bidding agent helps you, and what happens after the auction ends.
How do I bid on an auction?
On the auction page, you’ll find a big green button Bid now. After clicking, enter your bid. You have two options: either you place only the next highest bid, or you specify the maximum amount you’re willing to pay – the bidding agent will take care of the rest.
How does the bidding agent work?
The bidding agent bids automatically for you. You enter your maximum amount, and it only bids enough to keep you the highest bidder. If someone else bids, the bidding agent increases your bid further – up to your maximum bid.
Bid Increments
Your bid must be at least a minimum amount above the current bid:
| Current Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| 0.00 – 50 Euro | 0.50 Euro |
| 50.01 – 500 Euro | 1.00 Euro |
| 500.01 – 1,000 Euro | 5.00 Euro |
| 1,000.01 – 5,000 Euro | 10.00 Euro |
| from 5,000.01 Euro | 50.00 Euro |
Example: If the current bid is 241 Euro, your bid must be at least 242 Euro (241 + 1).
Minimum Price
The minimum price is the lowest amount a seller wants to sell for. As a bidder, you only see that the auction has a minimum price, not its amount. It protects against an item being sold below value – unlike the public starting price. Bids below the minimum price are possible but do not lead to a sale. Once a bid reaches or exceeds the minimum price, the auction continues as usual, and the item goes to the highest bid.
As a Seller: Starting Price, Minimum Price, and Buy It Now
When creating a listing, you set three prices. All three are available to every seller, whether private or commercial.
- Starting Price: This is where the bidding begins. A low starting price like 1 Euro attracts many bidders, but without a minimum price, it’s also the price you might sell for in the worst case.
- Minimum Price: You won’t sell below this amount. Set it if you use a low starting price and don’t want to go below a certain amount. Without a minimum price, the item will go to the highest bid at the end, even if it’s far below what you expect. The minimum price can only be set as long as no bid has been placed yet.
- Buy It Now Price: At this price, a buyer can end the auction immediately and purchase the item. It does not replace the minimum price: if no one bids the Buy It Now price, the auction runs normally until the end.
Our recommendation: low starting price, minimum price at the amount you want at least, Buy It Now price at your desired price.
Where can I see my current bid?
If you have already placed a bid, we show you a box on the auction page with your current bid and your maximum bid (for the bidding agent). There you can also see if you are currently the highest bidder or if you need to increase your bid.
What happens after the auction ends?
Once it ends, the auction is closed for further bids, and the highest bid wins.
- As the winner, you will immediately receive an email with a link to the Gunfinder messaging system. There you can discuss all details with the seller via chat.
- If your bid was not high enough, we will also notify you by email.
Payment and shipping are then arranged directly between you and the seller – please note our tips on safe trading.