eBay... probstein123

[parker1b2]

Originally Posted by dgo71

My best suggestion is to determine the absolute max you're willing to pay for an item and bid that amount. If someone outbids you then you can take comfort in knowing they paid a price you weren't willing to pay. I could never understand why someone would bid less than what they're willing to pay and then complain about being sniped.

This^^^

[Sladge34]

So it sounds like everyone's ok with snipe bidding. Guess I'll just have to start bidding that way.

[Laxcat]

Originally Posted by Sladge34

So it sounds like everyone's ok with snipe bidding. Guess I'll just have to start bidding that way.

To clarify: No. I hate snipe bidding. Putting in the highest offer you are comfortable with is the exact opposite of snipe bidding.

[Sladge34]

That puts a lot of faith in auction houses. If people are sniping, what makes you think auction houses aren't seeing people's bid, then looking at there high bid, and bidding that person up. Mastro auctions comes to mind here.

[Sladge34]

What is so hard for these huge companies with tech savvy guys working for them to run a legit, real, true auction??

[silvor]

I think the snipe bidding is what keeps the auctions honest.

I mean, if I or any hobbyist lists an auction starting at 99 cents, rarely are there bids early. Yet, the big guys get bids almost immediately.

Example, if an auction starts at 99 cents, and you put in your $100 bid right away, well, a dishonest auction can just keep bidding and creep up the price little by little. Once they hit your price, they can retract, then bid right under you.

If you snipe and put in your max bid, that eliminates that. Sure, the fake bids can still happen, but then if the fake bids overbid, well they can get stuck with winning and have to relist.

[D. Bergin]

Ebay has a hard and fast closing time. Once you understand that you strategize around that.

Always been that way. Ebay lied when they said they have a "problem with snipe bidding". They set up a system that would automatically gravitate towards that strategy.

[Laxcat]

Originally Posted by Sladge34

That puts a lot of faith in auction houses. If people are sniping, what makes you think auction houses aren't seeing people's bid, then looking at there high bid, and bidding that person up. Mastro auctions comes to mind here.

If auction houses/ebayers are shilling, then in my opinion, they are committing fraud. The problem is proving it. If I have the slightest inkling that shady business practices are going on I just refuse to do business with that person/auction house. They will only keep doing it if it works.

[perezfan]

Just snipe in the final 5 seconds with the highest amount you're willing to pay. If you put your max out there too soon, you are making yourself vulnerable (both to competing bidders and to potential shills).

Why would you utilize any other method?

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Just snipe in the final 5 seconds with the highest amount you're willing to pay. If you put your max out there too soon, you are making yourself vulnerable (both to competing bidders and to potential shills).

Why would you utilize any other method?

+100 I couldn't agree more unless you like to spend extra money.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Just snipe in the final 5 seconds with the highest amount you're willing to pay. If you put your max out there too soon, you are making yourself vulnerable (both to competing bidders and to potential shills).

Why would you utilize any other method?

I agree completely.

Bidding at the last moment is not unethical or illegal, yet shilling is.

Many eBay sellers will "shill" you up if you place an early bid. I don't mind competing against other bidders, but I am not going to give the seller a opportunity to squeeze more money out of me using shill accounts.

It's unfortunate bidders need to take this approach, but too many crooked eBay sellers have forced this type of response.

That said, it's almost a moot point anyway. Only about 10% of ebay offerings are auctions anyway. It has become the land of overpriced Buy It Nows.