eBay can alert you about an auction ending or when you are outbid on an item via the following instant messaging:

1. Skype

2. AOL

3. Windows Live

4. Yahoo!

IM alerts are instant messages sent to your chat window. You can subscribe to IM alerts in My eBay and start receiving notifications for when you’ve been outbid or when a listing has ended. If you enable these alerts, you’ll see the word “outbid” or “end” followed by a short description, item number, and bid amount. For example: Outbid! – Snoopy PEZ dispenser – item #3536992432 – $7.50.

If you receive an alert, you can then respond to the alert and bid again.

Steps:

1. On the My eBay page, click the “Notification Preferences” link under My Account, and then click Show all in the “Notification Preferences” section.

2. Click Show in the “Delivery Options” section.

3. Click Subscribe to sign-up for instant messages.

4. Select your instant messenger provider, and click the Continue button. You will be sent to the provider’s site for verification.