Believe me, I've babysat some auctions like it was my grandkid, and lost. But the saying goes; "Live by the sword and die by the sword." Sailing2 I need to learn about this software and put it my toolkit. I'd appreciate a nudge in the right direction to find it. Mister T
Internet search... it's out there
Need some advice on how to get around snipers on eBay.
As mentioned above, bid more than them. It's as simple as that really. Actually, you are at a slight advantage if you are already the high bidder when all of (if any) the sniping bids are submitted to eBay for the item. Because, when 2 different bidders have the same bid amount, or there is not enough difference between the two bids to meet eBay's minimum bid increment, the first bid in wins.
So, if people were completely rational, the best strategy would to be to bid the second that an auction item is listed. Early bids draw attention however, often making an item seem more attractive, leading to more bids and a higher final price.
(Automated) sniping is more of a convenience for people who don't want the excitement that you can sometimes feel near the end of an auction, and want to hopefully save some money by avoiding early attention.
There is also sniper software out there that can bid for you at the last millisecond.
There is both desktop software, and web-based sniping services that you can use, if you do not want to snipe manually.
I'd say there's more potential problems with desktop software - you could forget to leave your pc on, temp power outage could turn off your pc, ISP trouble, etc. could prevent your snipe(s) from executing.
With either, you have to submit your eBay login information. If you're not comfortable doing that you can either snipe manually or decide on your absolute maximum bid, and place it. As mentioned above, if you win, great. If you lose, as far as you're concerned the winner paid too much.
Also, if you absolutely must have the item, bid manually. Most software and services are reliable, but problems do occur sometimes.
I need to learn about this software and put it my toolkit. I'd appreciate a nudge in the right direction to find it.
http://www.hidbid.com is a sniping service that you can use.
You should understand ebay's proxy bidding system and know their minimum bid increments, when sniping or buying on ebay period.
Here are links to the minimum bid increments:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/bid-increments.html
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/basics/e_item11.html
http://pages.ebay.de/help/buy/bid-increments.html
Actually, its NOT an auction - In the true sense of the word. A true auction doesn't end until the auctioneer sez: Going, going, GONE. that gives all bidders a fair and even chance to pay what they're willing to pay. This, BTW is WAY better for the sellers. Some auction sites lengthen the auction end time a number of minutes at each "snipe" until the nonsense stops. THEN its more like a real auction. Of course you have to be there or use AuctionSniper or some other program.
Hey, Ebay makes the rules and people have, of course, figured out how to work it. Sniping is entirely legal, so why not do it? Be prepared to offer what you'll pay and be able to get over it if you lose by $.50....
If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em. H.
Actually, its NOT an auction - In the true sense of the word. A true auction doesn't end until the auctioneer sez: Going, going, GONE. that gives all bidders a fair and even chance to pay what they're willing to pay. This, BTW is WAY better for the sellers. Some auction sites lengthen the auction end time a number of minutes at each "snipe" until the nonsense stops. THEN its more like a real auction. Of course you have to be there or use AuctionSniper or some other program.Hey, Ebay makes the rules and people have, of course, figured out how to work it. Sniping is entirely legal, so why not do it? Be prepared to offer what you'll pay and be able to get over it if you lose by $.50....If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em. H.
My point exactly in the last dog fight we had regarding this situation. If I know I have a competitor, and it is a true auction, I can decide to raise my bid or pass. If, on the other hand, someone is using bid sniping software, I am not given that opportunity, and lose because I did not have the chance to repond to someone hiding behind sniping software. Be a man, let me know you are there, don't hide out, and effectively steal a bid because you think it's funny. To some of us, this is serious business, and yes, I get your crap about bid more, bid more, but you know what, I shouldn't be have to enter 5000 to win a 40 drum just to keep you from from coming at the last half second and beat me by .50.
guy's i just won a 18" floor tom off ebay last night 1/23/10, my bid came in a 2 seconds left, and i won because i bid more than anyone else, period, it wasn't smoke it wasn't mirrors, i placed my bid manually and won
If you can't beat 'em join 'em? I say no to that. If you feel that something is fishy, walk away from it and never support it again!! If you don't like the way the cyber flea market is handled, do not support it. I have never bought one thing from there, never sold one thing on there and never will. Snipers, schills, misrepresentations, who needs 'em?
I agree with whomever said that a real AUCTION has an auctioneer who has the pulse of the current sale and directs the auction accordingly. The bang of a hammer ends the auction, not the atomic clock in Boulder for Pete's sake. The seller, the person who should benefit the most from a sale in my opinion, maximizes the value of his wares everytime in a real auction.
Boycott EBAY. That is my suggestion. Use this site, every other drum site, craig's list etc. etc. etc.
have a wonderful evening
drumhack:Dband2Mind Blowiflowers2
Guys yes it is a imperfect system ,yes it sucks when you get sniped by a program not by a person, BUT where else can you reach that many people for so little money just think about it.... If it was not for ebay there would not be near the money in vintage drums that there is now and in parts cymbals etc...
Guys yes it is a imperfect system ,yes it sucks when you get sniped by a program not by a person, BUT where else can you reach that many people for so little money just think about it.... If it was not for ebay there would not be near the money in vintage drums that there is now and in parts cymbals etc...
I agree that the potential customers reached for the seller's wares is unprecedented but:
There WOULDN"T be so many people stripping good drums to profit in the parts market
I don't know but I can't see how EBAY has increased the value of vintage drums. How has EBAY added to the value of vintage anything exactly? All it did was give vintage guru's a way to learn of an item's market value without travelling to shows, auction houses or shops where they try to haggle for the best price.
It has depersonalized our society even further with specialty shops going out of business like crazy. No need for rent, taxes, employees when you can have your entire invetory in a storage unit for fifty bucks and display it on a computer. No more personal encounters. No more casual talk about this or that. Enter your screen name, bid, win, pay, ship, open box, enjoy. This is ebay.
I just don't like it. You guy's who are vintage drum nutso's and have thirty kits, well, I can see where you couldn't live without it. Ebay is the answer to your prayer's and there is nothing wrong with that. Me. I will pass on the whole ebay deal. I have been doing just fine without ever using EBAY to this point and I don't figure to need to use it anytime soon.
have a wonderful evening
drumhack flowers2Mister TJumping2flowerBurger Kin
