Do you use a sniping service?

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by brewing

So, kind of like bidding without snipping?

I've known about it, just never understood the benefit. It may be me though, I'm the time of person that is hesitant to do things the new different way.

No not the same. Bidding without snipping allows another person to keep bidding you up just because they can (not just shilling, but other bidders). A snipe is essence a way of saying here is my hidden "best offer" but I won't pay a bid increment more than any other "best offer".

[brewing]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

No not the same. Bidding without snipping allows another person to keep bidding you up just because they can (not just shilling, but other bidders). A snipe is essence a way of saying here is my hidden "best offer" but I won't pay a bid increment more than any other "best offer".

Makes sense. I may have to try.

[Econteachert205]

starting to look mighty tempting

[Northviewcats]

Used to, but with an eBay app on the phone I don't really need to.

Best regards,

Joe

[HalChaseCollector]

Ive never done it and don't know what it is. Could someone give me a quick run down on what snipe services are? Thanks!

[gregr2]

Originally Posted by HalChaseCollector

Ive never done it and don't know what it is. Could someone give me a quick run down on what snipe services are? Thanks!

You setup a free account, then you add the Ebay URL of the item you are interested in, then add your maximum bid amount. At the last few seconds of the auction, the service puts in the bid for you up to your maximum bid. It runs on several servers and I have never had one that didn't get executed. They can also send you email notifications if your maximum bid has been surpassed.

[T206Collector]

I always wondered who was placing ebay bids before 20 seconds were left in the auction -- I guess now I know. Half the respondents! WOW!

As a bidder, why would you let your competitors know your high bid? This just encourages people to bid you up early and often.

Stated another way, the only person who benefits from early bidding is the seller.

If you bid with enough time to let competitors or shillers see your bid and respond then you are just asking to pay more to win, and you undoubtedly will lose more.

Instead, try sniping. Take the ebay item number to Gavelsnipe. Put the number into the system and how much your top bid is. Then leave it alone. It will place the bid for you with 8 or so seconds left. Nobody can respond. You just get your bid in at your max. Set it, and forget it!

[gregr2]

This is from the front page of gavelsnipe.com:

GavelSnipe improves your odds to win auctions at lower prices. By not tipping your hand early, your bids won’t start as many costly bidding wars, or lose lots you’d have otherwise won.

Simply type, or copy and paste, the auction URL into your MY SNIPES page, and enter your bid. Or better yet, use the time-saving Snipe-It! Toolbar instead. GavelSnipe displays everything for you, with optional email updates nightly, and/or whenever you get outbid.

Seconds before each auction ends, GavelSnipe submits your bid from three bid servers (in
separate cities). Your computer does not have to be turned on.

If you ever want to retract any bid, you can do so up to five minutes before the auction closes.

[brob28]

I've used Gavelsnipe for a few years now and it has worked perfectly. Set your max bid and walk away and enjoy other things instead of watching the clock tick on an auction! Most of the times the item goes for about what I'd expect, but there have been times where I've "stolen" an item with the snipe.

[t206trader]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I always wondered who was placing ebay bids before 20 seconds were left in the auction -- I guess now I know. Half the respondents! WOW!

As a bidder, why would you let your competitors know your high bid? This just encourages people to bid you up early and often.

Stated another way, the only person who benefits from early bidding is the seller.

If you bid with enough time to let competitors or shillers see your bid and respond then you are just asking to pay more to win, and you undoubtedly will lose more.

Instead, try sniping. Take the ebay item number to Gavelsnipe. Put the number into the system and how much your top bid is. Then leave it alone. It will place the bid for you with 8 or so seconds left. Nobody can respond. You just get your bid in at your max. Set it, and forget it!

True, but if the price is artificially low it also encourages more bidders in the final few seconds thereby potentially hurting your odds. I realize this effect is less than that gained by just sniping but just adding a potential reason people might bid earlier.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Northviewcats

Used to, but with an eBay app on the phone I don't really need to.

Best regards,

Joe

This. Unless I'm asleep, my phone stays with me almost all the time. I get alerts when items I'm watching are about to end. For me, I don't need a sniping service.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Double post...and that's weird because I didn't even hit the back button.

[RGold]

Enjoying this thread. Makes me feel like this is 1999 all over again.

Most every sniping service will let you adjust the buffer time(seconds before end of auction). Studies have shown that 8-10 seconds is the optimum buffer time to have your bids placed. There is a disadvantage to setting your buffer time to 3 seconds or less.

First, having the sniping service place your bids so late may result in your bids not connecting with eBay in time. This would not be the fault of the sniping service, but a problem with the eBay servers.

Second, having the sniping service place your bids so late may result in you losing an auction with a bid higher than the winning bid.

Example: Auction with $2.50 intervals
Bidder A snipe bids $101.50 with 5 seconds left
Bidder B snipe bids $102.00 with 2 seconds left

Bidder A wins auction because Bidder B's bid did not meet required minimum interval bid of $104.00.