Thread: i've been shot!

I put in a bid with less than a minute to go (apparently way too early)...so I'm sitting pretty as the top bidder....got sniped with 4 seconds left!...hahaha, now thats some ebay skill! Obviously I gotta work on my stealth. Can't complain though...I'm a student so it never hurts to keep the cash in the wallet for a little longer. Guess I just gotta keep my eyes peeled for an identical auction

most people use software to snipe...

That is so completely uncool. People should have to sit there excitedly with sweaty hands repeatedly clicking refresh to see how much time is left with hearts racing as the clock counts down the last few seconds.

*Goes to download program*

Originally Posted by edk442

That is so completely uncool. People should have to sit there excitedly with sweaty hands repeatedly clicking refresh to see how much time is left with hearts racing as the clock counts down the last few seconds.

*Goes to download program*

... *wonders why he opened his figurative mouth*...

It wouldn't have mattered if you had entered that bid with 1 second to go - you still would have lost, because the other bid was higher than yours. Sniping only gives you a leg up because it reduces your visibility to the other bidders including the guy you just outbid giving him no chance to increase his maximum bid, and it reduces your exposure to shill bidding.

I use software it helps me because I bid on a lot and when I am not at my PC it does not give the other bidders time to figure out my highest bid and beat me. I use to lose a lot of auctions that way where maybe a $1 more would of when of course you do not know because you can not see the others highest if that entered it earlier. but I also know I have done that to others who pre placed there bids I just kept bidding a little at a time till i was over theres in the last seconds. You can do the samething as the software if you are at your PC but if someone else pre placed a bid higher then your willing to pay no matter how you go about it you lose. But sniping is the way to do it either by yourself or software. Pre bidding your highest amount is bad news.

Originally Posted by mparker762

It wouldn't have mattered if you had entered that bid with 1 second to go - you still would have lost, because the other bid was higher than yours.

Ya, that little jem clicked in as I was walking back from school today. Did I undervalue the razor? No, I knew it would bring good money. The value just went above and beyond what I was willing to pay. Simple as that. Can't say I was even surprised to get sniped...I've seen it done so many times I was expecting it. Just with 4 seconds left the hopes were getting a little high thats all. Live and learn...and be patient

Originally Posted by edk442

The value just went above and beyond what I was willing to pay. Simple as that.

That's the best way to look at it. Saves a lot of heartache and grief.

I used to sit there counting down the seconds and then starting my bid ritual at 20 seconds IF the bid hadn't gone higher than my predetermined max. Trouble was sometimes I'd see it go just a few cents over and then decide to bump up my max a couple bucks. Some times I'd get it, some times I wouldn't. My ritual would put the bid in between 3 and 7 seconds before close. and when I was already outbid I'd feel this sudden urge to race and bid more.

Then I decided to use esnipe.com. I got a free unlimited usage 15 day trial when I first signed up. There's no software to download, most auctions cost me only a quarter to snipe IF I win it, and the best part is, I get a heck of a lot more done. I don't have to worry about being at the computer for the end of the auction. I don't have to worry about my pc being down or my internet connection not working at the end of the auction. IF I get outbid I don't have to feel discouraged because I can walk away knowing I didn't get suckered by the bidding bug.

I love sniping services now. I originally hated them for beating me out but now I see a great benefit from them. 1) I don't get the urge to bid more, 2) IF someone is sitting there watching an auction who's in it for the fun of bidding things up, I don't have to worry about going over my max and often save quite a few bucks. I recently won an auction for 2 bucks that I put a snipe of 30 in for. I feel that using a sniping service was directly responsible for the savings.

Did I mention that I love sniping services now? .

Okay, help me out guys. How is this better than just setting my bid high enough to knock out the competition? Say I want a razor, and I'm willing to pay $50. I set my max bid at $50- as long as someone isn't willing to pay more I win, right? If someone is willing to pay $51 then they win- yes?