Auction rules

Every bid is validated on the server: the auction must exist, be active, not have ended, not be the seller's own listing, and meet the current minimum bid.

Server timestamps decide when an auction starts, ends and whether it is extended. Your device clock is never trusted.

Simultaneous bids are handled with conditional database updates, so only one bid can be accepted for the same current state. Duplicate submissions are detected and ignored.

A valid bid within the extension window extends the closing time by the configured extension duration. This repeats for each qualifying bid.

The extension window and duration are configured by the marketplace administrator.

Where a reserve is set, the auction is only sold if the final price meets it. Otherwise the auction ends as reserve not met and no order is created.

At completion the highest valid bidder is identified, the result is recorded, and an order is created for the buyer where the reserve was met.

Bidding on your own item, or arranging for someone else to bid to inflate a price, is prohibited and leads to suspension.