Anybody tried to buy anything recently? Seems like somebody pulls the rug out from underneath you in the last 10 seconds of the auction.
I remember one vendor offering some kind of Ebay "sniper" software that would automatically throw in your bid at the last second.
I wonder if that's what I'm up against. I'm thinking asking here first might be a better route. At least I helped a fellow member bump up the price of his luggage straps!
Mark: I too have experienced the last second loss. It's quite an annoyance. The post office is checking on whether they can mail the soft top. The box is about 52" x 22". They'll let me know and then I'll pass the cost onto you. Sam
I don't snipe, but it's a strategy. You bid in the hopes that the current high bidder is already at the top of his maximum bid, and hope he isn't watching so he can't bid again before the auction is over.
Is it annoying? Yes. But you have to expect it to happen and watch your item for the last minute and be ready to bid just a little higher than your current bid.
I keep a list of people who sniper me in my auctions. Kind of a reverse stalker list.
Have not figure out a way to make them pay in the future yet though. <wink, wink>
I have freind who put a high max so that any sniper sometimes pay more than they bargained for. A couple of them don't pay and I on occasion get the 2nd chance offer.
You also don't want to bid to early. I just let an auciton go for a riding lawm mower. Apparently the guy who up the anty 10 mins before close lives inthe same city (reno) where there is a tx for people who own a lawn. So what i am saying is that sometimes those snipers are people who have a freind bid at the last second to drive up the max price or not sell the item off becuae of the lack in interest. It is far and few but not impossible.
Hi Guys, Im not sure what the "sniping" problem is about. If they bid higher than you they win. I use ebay alot. You win some and you loose some on e-bay too. Have you ever been to a live auction, it's simple, the one who bids highest wins!!!!
Yes I have been outbid at the last secound and I to have outbid others with secounds to spare. Best of luck and keep the bids low so I can win more auctions...just kidding...Bill
For example, UBid.com has a rule that if there are no more new more bids for 15 minutes after the end of close than the last bidder without any challenge is the winner. They should leave this an as option for the seller.
It is perfectly legal!! You are not doing anything against the law, you just have a computer placing the bid for you within the last 1-5 seconds, if you are willing to pay more or less that's what the auction is all about.
A couple of friends who participate regularly on eBay use and recommend http://www.esnipe.com.
Of course, you may end up on Minh's List!
Pete
-------------------------------------
'67 1600 - frame off started in 2014. Now I know why roadster projects take so long. What a stupid idea.
'66 1600 - parts car
'66 WPL411 ***SOLD***
A couple of Porsches, a RAV4 Hybrid, and a motorcycle
Sorry about those luggage straps. I didn't win them either, because we were both sniped. Sniping drives me nuts. I have one warning about sniping. About 2 years ago, my identity was stolen, and the only places I could track it to was either the sniping service or Paypal. I now use neither. Having your identity stolen is far from a fun experience. eBay users beware.
Joe
Former owner of:
'68 2L
BLK SRL
sold 12-11-2012
No worries Joe, hell that's what an auction is about, besides my friend I beat you! Scary story on the identity theft. Rats, I was about to sign up and end up on Minh's list!
You know the real winner....Sid! 35 bucks for 2 30 yr old nylon straps with ratty hardware. We must have been out of our freakin' minds
just kiddin' Sid I'm sure they were top drawer...what the hell am I doing up at 430 am typing this crap.?...tee time is 744 and I'm only 3 blocks from the course. They got a 12 step group for this
Well, I must confess as I use a Sniping tool if I really want something. So Mihn, you need to add me to your hit list. I too was getting beat at the final moment. It is especially upsetting when you think you have it in the bag and someone snatches it from you in the final seconds. Actually I do not buy that much from Ebay any more any ways.
On the other note--I too have been a victim of identity theft but unfortunately you can be a victim without even going online. Vigilance is imperative these days. Waiting to check your credit reports until that big purchase is asking for it. ID theft is a rapidly growing problem and can go undetected until you go to buy a house or a new car. Enough of that.
Hey, I try to be honest when I list stuff on Ebay guys, so don't beat me up too bad! I personally don't mind the sniping thing - even when I am buying. I figured out early on that by bidding the most you will pay at the last possible moment is the only way to win some auctions. That is how it works in real life too. So, I guess I too will be a name on the list. (Hmmm... The last list I recall being on was the Dean's list back in college. Not the one for grades, the other one, the S*&% list! )
I used to work in the Fraud Department for a major credit card. Those identity theft guys suck!
Bidding early drives the price up as people nibble away. They bid, don't get the high bidder status, then think it is worth more and bid again. Hence the auctions that go out of control. We've all seen them...
I don't want to sit by my computer till the auction ends. I see something, place the bid with esnipe for what I am willing to pay (when I am sane, not in the last few seconds of the auction-gotta have it!) and the computer does its job with seconds left.
It is cheap (and so am I)...
Good luck to all in their auctions, sorry if sniping upsets you (BTW-it upset me too, untill I was able to do the same!)...TR
