Last second Ebay outbidders, I hate em

[pipedope]

Sniping is a pain both for buyers and sellers.

As a buyer I simply bid my max that I am willing to pay and let things fall where they may. If somebody bids higher then they clearly wanted the item more then I did.

As a seller I reserve the right to cancel or extend my auction, or even to end it early and let the item go to someone who bid early even though I might not get as much money out of it. By rewarding 'normal' bidding, we might help reduce sniping. Maybe.

 

[MgicTwnger]

Sniping is FUN! It's just part of the game.

 

[cnctina]

I'm an expert at sniping, It is really simple.
Use a stop watch to time when the auction is over, you also have to know how long it takes for your computer to place the bid, I give mine 15 seconds. Bid the max you are willing to pay. Have the place bid page complete and when there is 20 seconds left,(watching your stop watch), hit place bid. Now any other sniper has only 5 seconds to out bid you which is not enough time.

 

[smay28]

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

I open 2 windows and toggle between them if I'm in competition with another bidder.. Most of the time I've pretty much made up my mind as to how much I'm willing to plunk down on any particular item, but when I feel like a little fun I'll monitor with one window (refreshing) have the other one poised to bid in the last few seconds.. Broadband is required for this strategy..
Good luck..

 

[wstein]

I just set the max I am willing to spend, and once the bidding passes it, oh well.

Paul

 

[MSilvia]

I've sold things before that have tripled in price in the last 15 seconds. EBay should offer an auction extension service. Something like, add a minute to the auction after last bid. You don't see "analog" auctions end because times up.

That's a GREAT idea. Good for the sellers, good for EBay, and good for the bidders (excepting maybe those who rely on sniping).

 

[yknot]

I've sold things before that have tripled in price in the last 15 seconds. EBay should offer an auction extension service. Something like, add a minute to the auction after last bid. You don't see "analog" auctions end because times up.

Along with the original post, this kind of misses the point. If you "extend" the auction another minute, this just gives everyone, including the "sniper" another minute to bid. The original bidder resents losing out on a "killer deal" because of a last minute bid when it's their own fault. If you enter the maximum you are willing to pay on the first day of the auction it won't matter when the last minute bids come in. You're either going to win or you aren't. By entering your personal max bid early, you also win all ties and will not pay any more than you have to if no one else enters a higher max bid. The post is really about risking paying any more than you have to.

 

[LeFlaneur]

Yeah... I snipe. Here's why. (This is all from a buyer's perspective.)

I believe that bidding encourages more bidding. Some people (foolishly) gauge the value of an item based on the number of bids. Zero bids makes the item look overpriced or unwanted, many bids make the item looks "hot."

Others make a high bid and then check back in two days and if they have been outbid they make another. So you get "price creep."

When you snipe you can't become a stupid bidder. You just bid and it's over. If you lose, you lose and you know there will be other chances. If you're the highest, no impulse buyer is gonna top you by 50 cents three days later.

What irritates me more are the online dealers who also auction on ebay. They begin the bidding at $5-10 less than they sell the item at their online store. And then they give you the "buy it now" option for $100-150 more! But I guess it's your own fault if you're not educated.

 

[pmarc68]

I have to admit, I am a sniper and I can't help it. It combines 2 of my favorite activities (shopping and gambling). I also love snipers as a seller; let me tell you, there is nothing better than see the auction price triple in the last seconds. Sorry, I guess I need help.

Pam

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I've found that there are too many bidders who do no research at all on the item they are bidding on. I've seen a lot of used items sell for more than retail because some bidders seem to want to win at all costs. I always bid a maximum price I am willing to pay and hope that I don't get a lot of competion from bidders who aren't serious about the item in the first place.