The way you are outbid immediately is if someone has made a larger bid previously. The bids do not automatically jump to the highest you pay, you can always bid more (even hundreds more) than what the previous bid was. The only thing it must be is more than the minimum amount stated above the bid box. I do it all the time. I type in the most I am will to pay and the bidding takes care of itself until its higher than what I bid. Understand? Hope that helps! GOOD LUCK!