Last second Ebay outbidders, I hate em

[scubapro50]

OK GUYS ..... that's what your "maximum bid" is suppose to do. What is the most you what to pay for that item ? What I wonder about is the person that runs up the price at the last minute then doesn't buy ...... you get a message from the seller that the "deadbeat" didn't pay up so you can have it because you were the next highest bidder ..... WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON ......do you think one of his buddies is trying to run up the price and they over did it ?

 

[Dan Gibson]

Not a problem. Just stick to what the maximum you are willing to pay. When you are lucky, you get a great deal. When you are not as lucky, you pay what you are willing to pay. Still a good deal. There is always another item that is just about if not the same somewhere around the corner. Don't be in a hurry.

OK GUYS ..... that's what your "maximum bid" is suppose to do. What is the most you what to pay for that item ? What I wonder about is the person that runs up the price at the last minute then doesn't buy ...... you get a message from the seller that the "deadbeat" didn't pay up so you can have it because you were the next highest bidder ..... WARNING WARNING WILL ROBINSON ......do you think one of his buddies is trying to run up the price and they over did it ?

 

[LeFlaneur]

OK GUYS ..... that's what your "maximum bid" is suppose to do.

Supposed to, yes. Actually does, no. It might work more often if everyone on Ebay were completely educated as to the value of items and had perfect self-control.

But they're not.

If I set a max bid for an item at, say, $100, one of three things will happen.

1. Nobody bids higher and I get the item for $100 or less.
2. I get outbid by several people.
3. Somebody bids in tiny increments until they get to $100.50

Sniping doesn't drive the price up because it is by nature a final bid and by the time you see the results it's too late to re-think it. Therefore, though it may be frustrating, sniping is better for buyers.

 

[diverkristi]

www.esnipe.com

 

[ScubaNorth]

This is why ebay has a search by buyer option. If someone out bid you, search for other auctions he is bidding on. You can then see if he is bidding similar items and bid them at the last minute if they are the item you wanted. If he still wins you have the satisfaction of cost the person money. I have shadowed more than one buyer and got better items than I originally lost.

 

[RonFrank]

I really get ticked off when I'm 5 seconds away from a killer deal on a product, then I get outbidded and I don't have enough time to put another bid in.

Anyone else with similar experiences, or have some advice on how to win an auction for once? I missed out on a great scuba accesory this morning.

Mel

Guilty as charged, I'm definately a sniper...

There is software, however it works off the same concept as just putting in the maximum amount you are willing to pay in the first place. Most have configuration parameters, however you still have to provide a maximum, and you still can be outbid.

Here is a method I use when I know I'm not going to be near a puter when the auction closes..

IMO, if you find something in *new* condition, take in account the warranty (or lack there of) the shipping, the market, etc...

So maybe you are willing to pay $200. One way is to put in a bid at $201.55 (just because you don't want to loose over a dollar), and let it ride. If you loose, so be it, you set a price and others were willing to pay more.

I recently purchase some PADI course material on ebay. I lost the first auction, the guy paid $36 for material I can get at a dive shop for $40. I won the second auction I tried with a bid of $23... so be patient...

What I hate is people who overpay. I've seen MUCH camera gear go for MORE in mint condition than one can purchase it new for online with a USA warranty without auction hassle...

Ron