How important is auction sniping to you?

[ibuysportsephemera]

Leon,

I hope that when you say "giving eBay a run for their money" you will include vintage sports memorabilia (ie publications, photos, ticket stubs, etc.).

I think that the time is right for someone to start an auction site for vintage sports cards and memorabilia.

Good luck!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Leon,

I hope that when you say "giving eBay a run for their money" you will include vintage sports memorabilia (ie publications, photos, ticket stubs, etc.).

I think that the time is right for someone to start an auction site for vintage sports cards and memorabilia.

Good luck!

At the moment the idea is all sports items BUT only sports. I am busy looking into s/w at this point and have a s/w programmer as a partner. It is extremely early but I think this time I will give it a shot. NO ONE needs to worry about anything on the board today changing. It won't. No fees, no change. The goal, if I/we do it, is to have 1 more optional link on the board. No one will be forced to click on it if they don't want to. We are a long ways away at best...probably several months. Regardless of, if ebay changes back to categories or not, I probably want to give this a try this time. As mentioned in another thread I have always thought about doing it. There isn't too much downside to trying.

[Matt]

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

[showtime]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

Yuck, no thanks to that feature.

[Rich Klein]

However; this is a very serious post and I really do believe this.

EBay has totally forgotten what made them successful. Instead of continuing to help the "average" person post items; they would rather pick up a few high powered sellers and become a retail mall so to speak.

From my experience; especially in today's world; they would be better served letting everyone post (with proper background); not put limits like Pay Pal only; the ridiculous DSL in which an average grade of 4 out of 5 can get you thrown off; etc.

One of the old great joys of EBay was that if a seller got real lucky; he or she could find the two bidders needed and hit the "jackpot" so to speak. Of course; if you have seen that recent "jackpot" commercial; there must be a better word.

Leon; a well thought out auction world would not bring down the Bay in any way; but with the continued nibbling from us AND from other parts of the world; they will eventually fail under their own weight

Rich

[Scott T]

I am a low end collector, so most of my purchases come from Ebay and the B/S/T board. I have had good luck with sniping on Ebay.

[J.McMurry]

I've been buying on ebay for 11 years now and have never used a snipe program, but that's not to say I never would.

My NUMBER 1 concern with buying on ebay,the B/S/T or any other online setup is, Can I trust the seller?

[Ladder7]

I'd rather snipe manually at 10 seconds. The sniping software is cumbersome to set up kills on the ipod. But I do use it when wifee needs snuggle time.

[pitchernut]

I found that as a buyer sniping seems to keep the cost down, although hate to get sniped but that's part of the fun of an auction. Would not like to see an extension of time on the auction as others have mentioned but that is just my opinion.

One thing for sure is PLEASE MAKE PAYPAL AN OPTION!!!!

As to being able to trust a seller or buyer, perhaps a three strikes (bad trade, non payment, selling fakes etc) and your out, meaning you can't buy or sell again on this auction platform may work.

[famousgolfers]

Matt/Leon,
Are all of the auctions all going to end at the same time on the new site or at various times like eBay? That's why I like sniping on eBay. I don't have time to keep up with all of the various auction end times. Bumping the auction out by 10 minutes won't really do me any good, if that is the case.
Thanks,
Jason

[Matt]

Originally Posted by famousgolfers

Matt/Leon,
Are all of the auctions all going to end at the same time on the new site or at various times like eBay? That's why I like sniping on eBay. I don't have time to keep up with all of the various auction end times. Bumping the auction out by 10 minutes won't really do me any good, if that is the case.
Thanks,
Jason

It would be at different times, as it was on eBay.

Really, the question comes down to putting in your bid while the auction is going or having a system put it in 5 seconds before it ends. If (and this is a big if) shill bidding is not a concern, is it still essential to be able to snipe?

[famousgolfers]

Matt,
Yes, I still like sniping or the ability to put in one bid. I like to be able to put in one max bid and see where it stands at the end of an auction. I am concerned about shill bidding, but I also don't want someone to have a chance to counter my bid or run my max bid up to their limit. If I was selling, I would probably want it to work different.
Thanks,
Jason

[Leon]

Originally Posted by famousgolfers

Matt/Leon,
Are all of the auctions all going to end at the same time on the new site or at various times like eBay? That's why I like sniping on eBay. I don't have time to keep up with all of the various auction end times. Bumping the auction out by 10 minutes won't really do me any good, if that is the case.
Thanks,
Jason

Jason, I think our idea is to try to emulate ebay except without the idiocy. So, auctions will end at various times just like on ebay. I feel that people need to have 100% control over their own auctions. Also, as mentioned before....I/we also understand the value equation and our lack of the audience ebay has. There has to be almost no risk or cost to sellers (at least at first). I think there might need to be an extremely nominal fee at first in order to keep out 1 billion Fleer and Donruss rookies....Not that we don't want a place for them but our goal is not to have a billion cards on there, that have no value (except intrinsic meaning if you burn them you get heat) and never sell.....

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

I love this idea.

[Vintageclout]

Leon...very essential because with our busy lives, most cannot have internet access "24/7".

Regards,
Joe

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Vintageclout

Leon...very essential because with our busy lives, most cannot have internet access "24/7".

Joe - there's no need for 24/7 internet access; you could just put in your max bid (that would be executed one increment above the next highest, just like on eBay) a day or 2 before the auction ends...you know, how must of us used to bid on eBay

Because eBay does a crappy job of policing shill bidding, this wasn't a great option there, but assume we can do a better job..

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Matt

Joe - there's no need for 24/7 internet access; you could just put in your max bid (that would be executed one increment above the next highest, just like on eBay) a day or 2 before the auction ends...you know, how must of us used to bid on eBay.

I don't care for sniping and I take the above approach. If I put my max bid in early it makes me less likely to get in a sniping war in the closing seconds of an auction and end up paying more than I planned.

[iggyman]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

As a buyer, I love snipping more then I love my dog! It is one of the greatest inventions of this century. Something that future generations will be proud off.


As a seller, I absolutely hate it! I abhorre it and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. The numerous nights I've spent sweating out an ebay auction......praying for some snipper to resue me. Grrrrrrr!!! I'm working-up a cold sweat just thinking about it.....


By the way, I like Matt's suggestion. He is way ahead of the curve on this one, an anti-sniping feature would be ideal. However the only problem I see is shill bidding by Mastro.

Lovely Day...

[docpatlv]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

I don't understand the anti-sniping stance. If you auction an item and it is supposed to end at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night, what difference does it make if I put my bid in 3 days, 1 day, or 6 seconds before the auction ends? As long as the bid is in before the ending time, there is no "moral" issue. If someone outsnipes me, so be it. I don't like putting in an early bid and having someone bump me up slowly in $10, $20, $50 increments (whether genuine or shilled). I'd rather put in my max bid and let it ride. If someone outsnipes me, then they either wanted it more or had more financial resources. I can live with that.

As a seller, I can see the downside. But it could also be positive if 2 or more bidders leave high snipes at the end. I see it happen all the time on e-bay.

You can't have it both ways, as a buyer I only snipe, as a seller I'd go with the attitude that I put an auction up and it will bring whatever the market will bear, whether it's through early bidding or last-second sniping.

Mike

[E93]

I have never understood the obsession with sniping. Granted, I don't use ebay all that much, but I generally just enter the high amount I am willing to pay sometime close to the end and let it ride. What makes sniping better than that? Since everyone else snipes, nobody knows if their bid are high enough until it is too late anyway. Seems to basically be the same thing.
JimB

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by E93

I have never understood the obsession with sniping. Granted, I don't use ebay all that much, but I generally just enter the high amount I am willing to pay sometime close to the end and let it ride. What makes sniping better than that? Since everyone else snipes, nobody knows if their bid are high enough until it is too late anyway. Seems to basically be the same thing.
JimB

Jim,

You're correct, but with sniping, I don't have to be around the computer when the auction ends.

[docpatlv]

JimB,

Mostly you are correct, but not everyone snipes. If there is an item at auction and I am willing to go $1000. I enter my max bid 4 days before and wait for auction to end. Another bidder is willing to go $600. He puts his max bid in and is immediately outbid. He then thinks maybe I'll try $700 and puts another bid in only to get outbid again. So he tries one more time and puts in $800. Nobody else bids higher than $600 and auction ends. Putting my bid in early cost me an extra $200 in this instance. This is my reasoning for sniping.

It can backfire on you if there is an item you "have to have" and place an aggressive snipe and someone else does the same. But as has said before, just bid the highest amount you are comfortable bidding.

JimVB also brought up a good point if you can't be at the computer at the time the auction ends, a sniping service is great.

Mike

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

Matt:

Yes, I think that would be a desirable option for me. I don't like being sniped and like the ability to respond.....depending upon how badly I want an item.

[gabrinus]

I like the idea of extended bidding as well. There is more strategy involved in an old fashioned auction. As long as bidders want to keep bidding, keep bidding.

[AndrewJerome]

Sniping is great. I snipe most auctions I win on eBay. If sniping is not allowed, I would only bid on items I really need (much as I do now with the "big" auctions).

I think extended bidding works well in an auction with a set ending time for all lots. However, if this is going to be ebay-style with ending times all over the board, then it will be a bit of a mess trying to keep track of which lots you want to follow in extended bidding.

[Vintagedegu]

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[mybuddyinc]

I snipe everything, from $5 to $500, for "all" the pro-sniping arguments listed above.

[Leon]

First of all this has nothing to do with a hobby auction where there has never been any sniping allowed (to my knowledge). This whole subject has to do with an ebay alternative.

The issue we are going to have is that there doesn't seem to be any generic sniping software that works with anything but ebay. Writing a whole new program could be too expensive. Personally, I am with the folks that like sniping, as I said before. Thanks for the comments so far and keep them coming....regards

[yoyot1]

Mainly just a low end buyer here. I've never used sniping software, probably never well. It does annoy the heck outta me to see something I bid $50 bucks on jump up to $1000 in the last 30 seconds of bidding - not that I would have ever bid that high, just that I wasted my time even bidding on it.

I understand the concern about shill bidding, I think a small auction house could police it better, especially with a smaller community of users and public bidding history.

I don't think I'd like an auction site that extended the time on bids. Sometimes I wait for an auction I am bidding on to end before I go to bed... I may never get to sleep.