So then why play the games in the first place Peter? All bidders should then place their highest bid on ebay and not be allowed to submit another bid according to your explanation of how it works. After all, if $50 is your highest bid that you would offer for the piece.... and my highest bid is $49 ... you would get the item at your highest price you have offered to pay if no one else bid more than $50. On the other hand if I bid $55 at the last second, and you wanted to go to $59 .... you would not have the opportunity to do so as you would at a live auction.

I understand the proxy system fine thank you very much.