Ebay Bidding Question (1 Viewer)

[gk5717]

Over the past couple of months I,ve been selling off my early K&C sets, sets that will sell for sure and at a profit.
My question is, is there a way to automaticlly place a bid with just minutes left in the auction.
I have had that happen numerous times. It is mainly by one guy. I,ll check with say 5 mintues to go and it will show the highest bid at $100, then immediatly after the auction is over this particular bidder will win with a bid of say $200. I can,t believe he sits in front of his computer all those times and waits for the auction to wind down to a few seconds.
I have no problem with this but just curious.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

Gary,

I don't know what you mean by automatically but many (including me) don't bid until the last 10 seconds of an auction. I will usually get in front of the computer (where possible) in the last five minutes and watch the seconds tick down until I'm ready to bid. It's called sniping. I've heard that in some countries this is frowned upon. My theory (and that of others) is why bid early on in the process and establish a ceiling. Of course, when I'm a seller I like people to do that but I also realize that the action takes place in the last minute. You just give it your best shot as time runs out. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

Brad

 

[cruelios]

Google auctionsniper.

 

[Napoleon1er]

esnipe

I used to use it, then switched to manual, because I feel more control over my purchase.

 

[jazzeum]

esnipe

I used to use it, then switched to manual, because I feel more control over my purchase.

I tried a couple of those services and stopped using it for these reasons; they put my bid in too soon! {eek3}

 

[kogu]

I am using www.auctionsniper.com every now and then. I place the max. amount I am willing to pay and I can preset the time when my bid gets placed, say 5 sec before auction ending.
Worked very well for me on a number of occasions.
Konrad

 

[mikemiller1955]

I use Auction Sniper for my snipe bidding...

very reliable...

you can control when your bid is entered...

http://www.auctionsniper.com/default.aspx

 

[gk5717]

I think you guys answered my question. No doubt that this guy uses some sort of "sniper " service. I never knew a thing like that existed, now I do.
Thanks, Gary

 

[jazzeum]

No doubt these services work well but where is the magic, the excitement as you put in a bid and hope you win, especially if it's an item you've tried to get for a long time. Reminds me of that line from the movie Patton where George C. Scott decries the coming technology of being able to kill your enemy long range. There's no glory in having a service do it for you. It's the thrill of the chase, Gentlemen, knowing that you have finally bagged your quarry!

 

[mikemiller1955]

winning a bid with a "snipe"...has never detracted from my pleasure of winning the bid...

just the opposite...

it's enhanced the experience for me...I feel it gives me an edge...

whatever gets the job done...the chase is not romantic to me...

 

[4th Hussar]

No doubt these services work well but where is the magic, the excitement as you put in a bid and hope you win, especially if it's an item you've tried to get for a long time. Reminds me of that line from the movie Patton where George C. Scott decries the coming technology of being able to kill your enemy long range. There's no glory in having a service do it for you. It's the thrill of the chase, Gentlemen, knowing that you have finally bagged your quarry!

That warm feeling you get when bayonet sinks to the hilt................................{sm2}

 

[jazzeum]

That warm feeling you get when bayonet sinks to the hilt................................{sm2}

Exactly!

 

[theBaron]

Are ya kiddin' ?! Durn straight, I snipe all the time. I can't see the guys who put bids on in the opening minutes of an auction that ends in 5 days, all they do is drive up the final price. I'll only put in a bid early if it's something I'd like to buy but don't mind if I lose. But if it's something I want to win, I'll wait till the end and then pounce.

Of course, it was more fun back in the day, before eBay masked user IDs, and you could get in a bidding war at the final moments and know your opponent. That made the experience much more like a real live auction. You get to know the regulars.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Fort-Stamford]

Sniping is one way, but I use a bid stacking process at times as well; all depends on the item.

 

[Napoleon1er]

Sniping is one way, but I use a bid stacking process at times as well; all depends on the item.

What is that?

 

[kogu]

Are ya kiddin' ?! Durn straight, I snipe all the time. I can't see the guys who put bids on in the opening minutes of an auction that ends in 5 days, all they do is drive up the final price. I'll only put in a bid early if it's something I'd like to buy but don't mind if I lose. But if it's something I want to win, I'll wait till the end and then pounce.

Of course, it was more fun back in the day, before eBay masked user IDs, and you could get in a bidding war at the final moments and know your opponent. That made the experience much more like a real live auction. You get to know the regulars.

Prost!
Brad

These are exactly my thoughts in all aspects, like what you say about an early bid, and the bidding wars long time ago in the early 2000's. Did cost me a lot more sometimes, but it was great fun ^&grin
Konrad

 

[dspurlock]

The best way to defeat a sniper is to sent your maximum bid for an item and hold the line. If you win the auction, great, if you loose, there will always be another item later.

Heck with “good old days” bidding wars….. In my view, they suxed, way too much shilling went on when everyone ID was advertised.

As a long time eBay sniper (member since ’98) I have never used a “service”. I prefer to take my shots personally and make them count. :smile2:

 

[johnnybach]

Agreed - sniping is the only way. A newcomer to e-bay, I became sick and tired of watching my leading bid "pipped" in the dying seconds of the auction. So, I enlisted the help of an e-bay expert (Eldest daughter) who, in a Masterclass - taught me the finer points of sniping. However, the first rule of sniping is "Don't tell anyone else" - so can't give exact details - (as you might beat me next time!) However, I do so agree - only the novices post bids early.

Suffice to say, I followed my expert's advice to the letter - and won my next battle! Mind you - I was the only bidder, as it turned out!!!

You posts your bid - and takes your chance! jb Good Luck - next time.

 

[theBaron]

Heck with “good old days” bidding wars….. In my view, they suxed, way too much shilling went on when everyone ID was advertised.

Not at all. It was like a gunfight in the Old West, or aerial aces in World War I, or a boxing match. You knew your opponent, you sized him up and went head to head. In the end, one remained standing.

Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

Why would your bidding strategy be any different if you know who you are bidding or not bidding against? You should save your best and only bid until the end. What's the point of enriching the seller by going back and forth, particularly when bidders A and B may be bested by Bidder C who makes his bid only in the last 5 seconds.

Moreover, by going back and forth and raising the price, you've now set for future sellers a new higher price for the item. As I mentioned before I love this when I'm a seller but as a buyer it's not the wisest strategy.