Sniping

[Matt]

Currently, the seller does have a counter showing if any snipes are scheduled. Obviously he can't see the amounts. That was done exactly to avoid the issue you raised of sellers being nervous due to increased ease of sniping.

[iggyman]

That is great, but what is wrong with letting everybody else see that a snipe was set?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by iggyman

That is great, but what is wrong with letting everybody else see that a snipe was set?

Matt and I will have to discuss this. At first thought I would think we would only want the seller to see that a snipe has been set. I am thinking it's one of those "need to know" things. Again, Matt and I will discuss this. As I have said all along we want to make it as good for everyone as possible but it won't be perfect, as one person's perfect is not anothers.

Also, I like the suggestion about moving the snipe button and Matt and I will discuss that too. Keep the feedback coming. It helps validate what Matt and I are doing and helps us to make changes for the good of the community. We appreciate it very much!!

Just my 2 cents worth but if you let the buyer(s) see there is a snipe on a item already it may pursuade them to not put one up or bid in thought that it may not matter. If we "the sellers" are the only to see if there is a snipe it makes us happy to know that there is going to be some final biding in the end as well as atleast 1 or more bids are going to come in forcing the price up therefore making me Happier and I am sure Matt and Leon are going to be happier as they get a better # in the end.

Buyers seeing snipes-- NO

Sellers -- Yes

This is just my rambling opinion and if it helps great, if not I don't know

[timzcardz]

Built in snipe feature is a plus. I have never used a sniping service because in all honesty I am not going to trust someone else, especially someone that I don't know, with access to my login information.




As for a snipe counter for buyers or sellers, I would consider that information privileged and no one but the sniper should know that a snipe has been scheduled. Other bidders have no need to know, nor do sellers. Sellers being happy to know that there will be more bids is not a need, plus I do believe that it creates an added incentive to those tempted to shill, knowing that there are more bids scheduled.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by timzcardz

As for a snipe counter for buyers or sellers, I would consider that information privileged and no one but the sniper should know that a snipe has been scheduled. Other bidders have no need to know, nor do sellers. Sellers being happy to know that there will be more bids is not a need, plus I do believe that it creates an added incentive to those tempted to shill, knowing that there are more bids scheduled.

Tim - thanks for the feedback. Our thinking is as follows - with the integration of sniping, there is an increased likelihood people will use it, which is going to make sellers nervous when they see their item isn't being bid up as much. Because of that we felt it important to indicate to the seller that snipe bids have been scheduled so they know there are indeed more bids expected on their item. Obviously we thought about shilling implications, but since the seller can't see the snipe bid amount, he doesn't know if the snipe is anything more then the next bid increment, so he can't really use the information to shill. Furthermore, a user can cancel his snipe bid anytime.

[thegashousegang]

I agree that the built-in sniping is a nice new feature for everyone. Buyers should not be allowed to see if there are other snipes set. Sellers should be able to see them - the number of snipes, and definitely NOT the amount. As noted in a previous post, having the seller see the amount will only lead to shill bids.