How to snipe... and sleep well at night.

greg · Post by **greg** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 4:45 pm

Valiant OCD wrote:I was wondering ? what happens when most or all bidders are using a snipe service? 20 bids put in in the last 5 seconds........ Doesn't it still come down to the biggest bid? At that point isn't it the same thing as a regular auction Just a lot mre boring? :littlesmile:

Ebay will handle the bids one-at-a-time, the way they always do,
so it's likely that most of the "20 bids" aren't even placed because
they are not high enough.

I've made dozens of bids on ESnipe, and none have ever registered
on Ebay because my bid was too low at the end of the auction.

This means that sniping services are actually "hiding" the number of
people willing to actually commit to shelling out money for an item.

Anytime an auction sits at $20 for a week, with few bids,
but ends at $100 with bids in the last 30 seconds,
you can never know how many people set their snipe service bid
at $25 to $90, because those bids won't be placed.
(Since they're "too low" at the time they are placed.)

The auction can end with 2 or 3 "official" bidders above $20...
when it's possible that a dozen more would have actually paid $80+.
There's just no way to know.

BodaZoffa · Post by **BodaZoffa** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:12 pm

Valiant OCD wrote:I was wondering ? what happens when most or all bidders are using a snipe service? 20 bids put in in the last 5 seconds........ Doesn't it still come down to the biggest bid? At that point isn't it the same thing as a regular auction Just a lot mre boring? :littlesmile:

The chance of a shill will definately go down.

Boda

X-O HoboJoe · Post by **X-O HoboJoe** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:49 pm

BodaZoffa wrote:The chance of a shill will definately go down. Boda

ZephyrWasHOT!! · Post by **ZephyrWasHOT!!** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:48 pm

Valiant OCD wrote:I was wondering ? what happens when most or all bidders are using a snipe service? 20 bids put in in the last 5 seconds........ Doesn't it still come down to the biggest bid? At that point isn't it the same thing as a regular auction Just a lot mre boring? :littlesmile:

Of course...in all cases, whoever has the highest bid, wins. That's really the point.

What sniping does is 1. Mask interest, and 2. remove emotional 'overbidding' in an auction.

And if you don't think the 'thrill of the win' is a major factor in paying more than you normally would in an auction, you're in the wrong venue.

Trust me...there are PRECIOUS few things that show up on eBay..even solid Golden Age books...that are rare enough to justify 'at any cost' bidding. If anyone has anything they're wondering about, I'll be happy to let you know how rare it really is (at least, in regards to comics.)

Thanks, but I prefer my challenges to be in games that DON'T cost me money....unless, of course, they involve cards.

So, if you'd rather just bid the most you're willing to pay, with a chance to win at a lower price, without being 'bid up' by others...snipe. You lose, you weren't willing to pay more anyways. It's beautiful.

californiajeff · Post by **californiajeff** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:23 pm

I think it's great idea because sniping keeps you from spending much more than you originally wanted. Plus, there's a good possibility it can save you money. Remember, every time there is a bid it raises the price and this includes your bids.

sckao · Post by **sckao** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:39 pm

I use Auction Sentry Pro too. I can't imagine paying 1% or a max of $10 unless you don't have broadband service at home.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:33 pm

CaliJeff with a Lazarus Award nominee.

-slym (wonders whatever happened to Valiant OCD?)

tarheelmarine · Post by **tarheelmarine** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:32 pm

Another boardmember pointed out uniwiredbuyer.com a few years ago. It's free and good.

slym2none · Post by **slym2none** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:49 pm

kryptonitecomics wrote:By the way I snipe the old fashion way, not program for me to mess up my cheap thrills

Me too!!! It's a sickness, and I know it, but I like it...

-slym

Asharad · Post by **Asharad** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:38 pm

I only use Ebay if there is a "buy it now" option. I do not participate in auctions specifically because I don't want to wait for the bid outcome, and I don't want to snipe. I want it now.

Daniel Jackson · Post by **Daniel Jackson** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:00 pm

Asharad wrote:I only use Ebay if there is a "buy it now" option. I do not participate in auctions specifically because I don't want to wait for the bid outcome, and I don't want to snipe. I want it now.

BINs are fine, but getting a great deal is a whole lot better.

whetteon · Post by **whetteon** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:16 pm

whetteon wrote:Paying per snipe is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. AutionSentry is a one time fee of $15 and lets you snipe all you want for free. Despite other memebers "troubles" with the product I have found it an invaulable tool and quite reliable.

Now let's see how many people slam me for this post!

Well said my friend, well said.