BidMania — User Guide
Before you can start participating in online auctions held by BidMania, you have to buy Credits.
Credits represent a monetary value that you are willing to trade for a product on auction. A variety of BidPackages are available for purchase, each package differing in value. The cost of each credit and/or package can be viewed on the “Buy Credits” page.
Every bid placed during an auction, increases the value of the product with between 1 cent and 5 cents. This increase continues to mount as the countdown to the “drop of the hammer” lengthens from 10 to 15 seconds.
Auction Categories
In order to ensure fairness to all participants, auctions are divided into three distinct categories.
Once a bidder has secured the maximum amount of auctions permitted in a category within a 30 day period, the bidder will automatically be prohibited from participating in the same category for the next 30 days, counting from the date of the last successful auction purchase.
The auction category is indicated by a star of corresponding colour in the auction information. The limits for auction wins are:
Gold Star : 3 wins
Silver Star: 6 wins
Bronze Star: 9 wins
Types of Auction
For you to be successful in your bidding endeavours it is essential to comprehend the auction process. It is also necessary to use certain tactics if you want to increase your success rate. These tactics differ according to the type of auction you are participating in. Six types of auctions are distinguished on BidMania:
1. 
Newbie Auctions
The “Newbie auctions” are reserved solely for Users who have never won an auction before.
2. 
Fast Fire Auctions
During the “Fast Fire auctions” the use of the BidButler is strictly prohibited.
3. 
100% Off Auctions
In this type of auction the winner gets all the bids back. Which effectively means that the final cost of the product is the auction cost, plus the delivery charge.
4. 
Variable Price Increments
This indicates the amount of credits each bid requires.
5. 
Buy-Now Auctions
The Buy Now option is available on certain auctions and is offered only once during an auction in which you are actively bidding. This option grants you the opportunity to purchase the product on auction for the advertised retail price. You will only have to pay in the difference between the value of the placed bids and the retail price. When you check-out, shipping costs will be added to your order. The Buy Now Auction option will be available throughout the duration of an active auction.
6. 
Convert-to-Credits
This type of auction gives the winner the option to convert the retail price of the product to Credits. This is only applicable when the “Convert-to-Credits” logo is displayed.
The BidButler
This handy feature is custom-made for bidders who need to take a break without forfeiting an auction.
Users can program the BidButler to automatically initiate bidding at a set starting price, and to continue bidding (to the number of bids the Bidder permits) on his/her behalf.
The BidButler requires a minimum of 20 bids and is thereafter restricted to 100 000 bids.
You can cancel your uploaded bids whenever you like by de-activating the BidButler feature. Simply go to “My Account”, “BidButler” and select either “Stop” or “Remove”.
