Bidding on house via text messages

I put a bid in on a property earlier in the week
Got a text message earlier from the EA this morning saying what offer on property currently is at (others bidding on it) and to text the EA back with sunsequent offers. I have gone back with an offer

I've never heard of EA working like this - Is this common practice for EA to manage bids in this way or do you think the EA is trying to pull a fast one and upt the price of the property?

What do others think?
Thanks

I think it's outrageous. What's in it for you? What if the guy's phone is dead? The only way to make a serious bid is to speak to the person handling the sale.

I don't see how the method of tranmitting bids makes any difference to upping the price of the property. However I agree it is an unsatisfactory way of bidding unless the EA promptly acknowledges receipt of the texted bids, I'd still prefer talk to a person.