The anti-snipe extension
Auction Mule sales close lot by lot on a staggered timer, and each lot has a countdown showing when it closes. To keep the last-second "snipe" from deciding everything, we use an anti-snipe extension.
What it does
If a bid lands in the final stretch before a lot closes, the closing time is pushed out a little to give everyone a fair chance to respond. When that happens, the countdown flips to Extended — closes in and the numbers jump back up.
It keeps happening for as long as bidding continues. Every time a new bid arrives inside the window, the clock extends again — so a lot only truly closes once the bidding actually stops, not just because someone timed a bid for the final second.
What you'll see
- The lot's countdown ticks down toward its scheduled close.
- A bid arrives near the end, and the panel shows Extended — closes in with a fresh, longer countdown.
- If you place a bid that triggers an extension, your confirmation message notes that bidding on the lot was extended.
The countdown runs against our server's clock, not your device's, so what you see is the real closing time even if your phone or laptop clock is a little off.
Why it's there
Without it, whoever has the fastest connection wins in the last two seconds and nobody else gets to react. The extension turns those final seconds back into a real contest: if you want the lot, you can always answer a late bid, and the person who bid last doesn't get to "steal" it on the buzzer.
Tips
- Don't rely on sniping. There's no advantage to waiting for the final second — a late bid just extends the clock.
- Set your true maximum. Because your proxy answers for you automatically, the surest way to hold a lot through extensions is to set the most you're genuinely willing to pay and let the system defend it.
The exact length of the window and the extension is set per sale; the countdown always shows the current closing time.