Thread: Sniping

How many of you do this?

I haven't ebayed in awhile but it's not anything new. It puzzles me as to why people would rather spend more than they have to. Take this for instance:

Silberstahl 7-day set
(7) VINTAGE STRAIGHT RAZORS, SEVEN DAY SET, SILBERSTAHL - eBay (item 220508647161 end time Nov-21-09 18:15:25 PST)

What started as $49 ended at $200xx. For some money isn't an issue. To them it's like wiping their bum with nice smooth 2-ply TP. Whereas those who want to save or don't care about quality or even about TP would opt for 1-ply finger through the TP.

I understand the rarity of these as well as other items of interest. But are these people even aware of sniping and the wonders it can do?

Say no one bids on said item. One can still place in watchlist. Wait 5 minutes till end and offer your highest bid. Sure there is risk of someone doing same but being on ega for 7 years or so, this method never failed me. Perhaps there are those who aren't cognizant of the "watchlist" feature hence the constant bidding wars. *hammer*

Yeah I'm gonna bid XX amount just so the seller can contact his/her friend and tell them to bid ( unbeknownst to you ) driving the price up. Good job mate!

No I'm not aggravated because I didn't win ( I didn't even bid on it ) just kept it on watchlist to see how much it would go for.

I think some people don't understand proxy bidding. or they change their mind about what they're willing to pay as they realize how it feels to see it slipping out of their grasp

It only takes two snipers to drive the price up as much as a days long bidding war.

I dislike snipping programs. Nothing burns my butt more that loosing by 2.00. I guess If I really cared, I'd watch the auctions. If I realllllly want it, then I'll use countdown and normally win....

Originally Posted by SiRed8

For some money isn't an issue. To them it's like wiping their bum with nice smooth 2-ply TP. Whereas those who want to save or don't care about quality or even about TP would opt for 1-ply finger through the TP.

Yes, check the most important thread of 2009 for 1-ply, 3-ply, bumps, ridges, cotton, aloe, and all things people do depending on how much they value their... eh opinion?

Originally Posted by SiRed8

Say no one bids on said item. One can still place in watchlist. Wait 5 minutes till end and offer your highest bid.

You'd be surprised how many people will forget to bid. I think I'm gonna go fondle few precious razors that I got for pennies on the dollar even though at least dozen of forum members were watching them
I don't mind watchers as long as they don't place bids on the stuff I'm bidding on. But I've been sort of done with ebay for some time now, things have probably changed.

Originally Posted by zib

I dislike snipping programs. Nothing burns my butt more that loosing by 2.00. I guess If I really cared, I'd watch the auctions. If I realllllly want it, then I'll use countdown and normally win....

I didn't even know there was sniping program? I just put maximum bid and leave it at that. I really haven't been on for years with exception of last couple of weeks.

99% of bids I lose are to snipers. MANY of these are items I KNOW my bid was low on and I was only bidding on because at that price I couldn't resist. The snipers got AMAZING deals because I wasn't interested enough to pay a fair price and no one else wanted it. If I could go back and throw in another buck or two to get the item I would, but I arbitrarily decided a max when I put my bid, and the snipers took advantage of that.

That tells me that sniping works... and that it is the standard fare of eBay now. You really can't argue against something that is both legal and effective. I don't do it because I'd feel like kind of a dick, but that's just me. Hell I feel guilty if I NOTICE an auction in the last few minutes and bid. Maybe I just long for the traditional auction where everyone is there to witness it and the winner is REALLY the guy who is willing to pay the most.

I try to place a single bid in the last few seconds of the auction, and I sit there and do it live (no sniping programs). But sometimes I'll put in a bid ahead of time and walk away. Other times I repeatedly tell myself "Well, I'd pay another $x for that" and repeatedly up my bid. Depends on the razor, depends on how much I've bought recently, depends on how bad my RAD is at the time...

I pretty much always snipe. It's the only way to get decent prices on Ebay.

I always bid live in the last few seconds. I love the adrenaline rush. The good news is that I won't be tempted to up my bid if I get outbid and the bad news is that I won't have the time to send in another bid even if I wanted to. I don't consider it a moral issue. All is fair in love, war and collecting razors and hones.