How anti-sniping works in Zeffy auctions

When a bid is placed within the last 3 minutes of an item's close time, the auction for that item automatically extends by 3 minutes. This gives other bidders time to respond and prevents last-second sniping.

How the extension works

Anti-sniping applies to each auction item individually. If a bid is placed within the last 3 minutes of an item's scheduled close time, the close time for that item is pushed back by 3 minutes. This extension applies to every late bid, not just the first one.

For example, if an item is scheduled to close at 5:00 p.m. and a bid is placed at 4:58 p.m., the new close time becomes 5:03 p.m. If another bid is placed at 5:00 p.m., the close time extends again to 5:06 p.m.

Maximum extension limit

Each item can be extended by a maximum of 30 minutes total from the original close time. Once an item reaches this 30-minute cap, no further extensions will occur regardless of when additional bids are placed.

Using the same example, an item originally scheduled to close at 5:00 p.m. can be extended no later than 5:30 p.m.

What bidders and organizers see

Bidders and organizers see the updated close time in real time. The automatic extension does not require any action from the auction organizer. Winning bids are still processed automatically once the final close time is reached after any extensions have been applied.

What stays the same

• Bidders receive outbid notifications as normal.

• Winning bids are charged automatically when the item finally closes.

• There is no setting or toggle to disable anti-sniping.