Bidding on an item with a reserve price

[damienmcbraida]

How do I make a fixed bid of a set amount on an item with a reserve price? ebay will only let me input a "maximum bid". I have typed in a maximum bid far above the current bidding level BUT ebay will only place automatic bids for me of £20 above the next highest bid. As a result the message is displayed "reserve not met". If the auction ends as things currently stand what will happen?  Will the item not sell even if the maximum bid I have typed in is above the reserve price?   

[pixiesen2012 · Accepted solution]

if your bid doesn't reach the reserve your bid will only increase by increments,

you haven't bid high enough,

once your bid reaches the reserve the bid amount will jump to the reserve amount