[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I snipe things I want to go after, so I do not concern myself with other bidders' making max bids. Although I cannot prove it objectively, I think I pay less for auctions when I use a sniper than when I post a max bid and let people chip away at it. I believe one of the metrics Ebay uses to present items in its 'plugs' in closed listings and the like is bid activity, and if so, the more bids something draws, the more likely it is to be highlighted by Ebay as a 'popular' item.

I've gotten within a nickel of someone's max bid with a snipe. Definitely fun, but more from knowing I called the top rather than from a screw-the-opposition perspective.

I agree with you completely. We've all lost auctions by a nickel (and been "screwed" so to speak). It's just nicer (fun) to win by nickel (and be the "screwer"). My point is that it may be possible by analyzing bidding patterns to tip the screwer/screwed balance in one's favor without betting the farm to assure victory. I fully realize the underbidder may well be a friend and not necessarily from North Korea

Shaking hands after an auction is preferable to firing a missile.