[Boatanchors] auction time linked to what timing source?

[David Stinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Todd, KA1KAQ" <ka1kaq at gmail.com>

> Use whatever clock you wish, bid whenever you desire. You'll still
> only win the item if you're the high bidder. Throw out a $1000 bid on
> a $100 item three days before the auction closes,and chances are
> pretty good you'll own it. .....

And probably pay way more than you had to, as well.
Sniping is a God-Send to the buyer.  
Let's say you are willing to pay $100 for a thingee,
and Joe is willing to pay $90.  You put in your $100 bid
the first day.  Joe comes along and keeps bidding 
until the bidding stops at $91, with you still in the lead.
Joe now has days and days to pace and fret... telling himself..
"it's only a few more dollars.... I won't tell the wife."
Sooner or later Joe talks himself into it and outbids you.
You're now behind at $101.   You decide by God you're 
going to get it, so you bid $1000!  In the end, Joe talks himself
into a bidding war with you, which you win at $237.
As a seller, I'm blessing both of you.  But if you'd "sniped,"
you'd have won the item for $91.   This is the idea of sniping.
If Tom came in a sniped you both for $110, well that's just
the way auctions work; Tom wanted it more than both 
of you and was willing to pay more. 

73 Dave S.