[GreenKeys] eBay

[Steve Garrison]

Thanks to all those that helped open my eyes on the subject of eBay snipers.  I guess I need to quit snipe hunting and get out the old sniper rifle.  Who says you can't teach an old TTY jock any new tricks.  Much appreciated guys.  And I now understand how I lost out on that Dovetron TU at the last second after having been the high bidder for several days.

Steve G./N4SEG


On Dec 9, 2011, at 1:19 PM, Keith Mc <acti at provide.net> wrote:

> Steve Garrison <steve.n4seg at ...> wrote: 
>> I'm afraid I don't understand the concept [of sniping] here.  
>> Maybe someone could explain it to me.
> 
> Sniping is where someone waits until the last 30 seconds or so
> on an auction, then makes a bid.  By the time the competitor's 
> screens update, the auction is over.   
> 
> Think of it like a "sniper" as in "long distance rifle assassin", 
> vs a "Snipe Hunt".
> 
> There are automated tools available out there, to help you snipe.
> You simply put in your max bid on the desired auction. 
> The app then watches the eBay clock for you, and puts in a bid 
> in the last few seconds.
> 
> The counter argument to sniping stated here is simply that 
> "high bid always wins", no matter what.
> 
> When you put in a bid, you specify the highest amount you'll go.
> Then, the eBay automation auto-resolves it, by going back and
> forth on the minimum increment, until there is a winner.
> Regardless of your max bid, the eBay software will only auto-bid 
> for you at <max_previous_bid> + <minimum_increment>.
> 
> So... If YOUR max bid is still higher than the SNIPER'S max bid, 
> you'll still win, regardless of timing.  Since your auto-bid was already
> entered when the sniper arrives, as long as you were willing to go
> higher than the sniper's max auto-bid, it will still resolve in your favor.
> 
> There is also the "intimidation factor".  If the bidding has already gone
> high enough for an item such that it's already obvious that it is out 
> of the interest range of a sniper, they won't even bother with 
> attempting to snipe the auction.
> 
> Does this make sense?
> - Keith Mc.
> --
> "Bother," said Pooh, as he was shot by a sniper on the grassy knoll...