The bid engine is designed to make bidding easier for you as a bidder.
On Budi, there are two ways to place bids:
- Max bid - The system bids automatically on your behalf up to your maximum amount. Available for all items.
- Manual bid - Your bid is placed directly at the exact amount. Available for selected items with higher bid increments.
Bids placed automatically by the bid engine are marked with 
in the bid history.
Max bid - automatic bidding
When you place a max bid, the bid engine handles the bidding for you automatically:
- You enter your max bid (e.g. 20,000 SEK)
- The system places bids for you in increments (e.g. +500 SEK) up to your max
- The visible bid only shows the amount needed to keep you in the lead
- If someone else bids below your max, the visible bid is automatically increased
If no one places a higher competing bid, the bidding stops there. This way, the system ensures that you never pay more than necessary.
Manual bid - full control
With a manual bid, you enter an exact amount that is shown directly as the leading bid. The bid engine is not activated - you must monitor the auction yourself and raise your bid if someone outbids you.
Manual bids are available on items where the bid increment is at least 500 SEK.
Scenarios
Scenario 1: You have the highest max bid
Bidder 1 has placed a max bid of 15,000 SEK. Bidder 2 places a max bid of 20,000 SEK.
→ Bidder 2 leads at 15,500 SEK (the next bid increment above 15,000 SEK).
Scenario 2: Someone else has a higher max bid
Bidder 1 has placed a max bid of 25,000 SEK. Bidder 2 places a max bid of 20,000 SEK.
→ Bidder 1 leads at 20,500 SEK (the next bid increment above 20,000 SEK).
Scenario 3: Same max bid
Bidder 1 and bidder 2 have both placed 30,000 SEK as their max bid.
→ Whoever placed their max bid first remains the leading bidder.
Scenario 4: Manual bid against max bid
Bidder 1 has a max bid of 25,000 SEK (visible bid: 15,000 SEK). Bidder 2 places a manual bid of 20,000 SEK.
→ The bid engine automatically raises bidder 1's bid to 20,500 SEK. Bidder 1 still leads.
Scenario 5: Manual bid beats max bid
Bidder 1 has a max bid of 20,000 SEK (visible bid: 15,000 SEK). Bidder 2 places a manual bid of 25,000 SEK.
→ Bidder 2 leads with exactly 25,000 SEK. The bid engine could not help bidder 1 because their max bid was not high enough.
Auction extension
To give everyone a fair chance, the auction is extended by 3 minutes for each new bid placed during the final three minutes of the auction. In other words, the auction end time is extended with each new late bid, until no more bids are placed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I always choose between max bid and manual bid?
Max bid is always available. Manual bids are available on items where the bid increment is at least 500 SEK.
Is the bid engine activated for manual bids?
No. The bid engine is only activated for max bids. With manual bids, you must monitor the auction yourself and raise your bid.
Can I see other people's max bids?
No. Max bids are hidden from other bidders. You only see the current leading bid.
How do I know if a bid was placed automatically?
Bids placed automatically by the bid engine are marked with in the bid history.
