eBay penny auctions
Penny auctions lists eBay auctions that already have a bid but where the current bid is still 99p or less, with the ones ending soonest at the top.
What Penny auctions finds
BargainTime asks eBay for auctions with between one and four bids whose current bid is 99p or less, and sorts them so the auctions ending soonest come first. eBay does the filtering, so every result matched at the moment you searched. Each one carries a label with its current bid, such as "Bid 51p", next to the usual postage and time-left details.
The keyword is optional. Leave it blank to browse, or enter a brand or type of item to narrow the list. Results follow BargainTime's usual defaults: items located in your own country and, on eBay UK, private (individual) sellers only.
What a low current bid does and does not tell you
A current bid of a few pence is a fact about the auction right now, nothing more. Many eBay auctions get most of their bids close to the end, so the price you see can rise a long way before it finishes. It also says nothing about whether the item is worth having: check the photos, description and condition just as you would for any other listing.
Postage is not part of the 99p limit. A 20p bid with high postage costs more than it first looks, so read the postage line on each result before you bid.
How to use it
- Enter a keyword, or leave it blank to browse auctions ending soon.
- Check the current bid, postage and time left on each result.
- Decide the most you would pay in total, then place that as your maximum bid on eBay.
Tips
- Set your limit before the last minutes of an auction, when prices tend to move fastest.
- Look at the seller's feedback and returns policy, especially on low-cost items.
- Want auctions nobody has bid on yet? Try Starting bid 99p. For auctions ending overnight, try Night Owl.
Frequently asked questions
What is a penny auction on BargainTime?
An eBay auction that already has at least one bid, where the current bid is still 99p or less. Results are sorted ending soonest first and each one shows its current bid, for example Bid 51p.
Will the item sell for 99p or less?
Not necessarily. The current bid is only where the auction stands right now. Other buyers can bid until the auction ends, and many auctions get most of their bids in the last few minutes. BargainTime does not predict final prices.
Why are auctions with no bids left out?
Penny auctions only lists auctions somebody has already bid on. For auctions nobody has bid on yet with a starting bid of 99p or less, use Starting bid 99p.
Does the 99p limit include postage?
No. The limit is on the bid only. Postage is shown separately on each result, so check it before you bid.
What about other eBay sites?
The limit follows the site you search: 99 cents in dollars and euros, and a similar small amount in other currencies, such as 4.99 zloty on eBay Poland.
Which auctions are included?
Auctions with 1 to 4 bids, items located in your own country and, on eBay UK, private (individual) sellers only. Auctions ending within the next minute are never shown.
BargainTime is an independent search site and not part of eBay.
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