I went on what I thought was a razor buying rampage today gave myself a $500.00 limit thinking I would get some great razors for the collection. Allot of my bids were high in my opinion but I really wanted certain razors. Throughout the day I was outbid as usual countered was the high bidder all the way until the last 10 seconds or so of each auction and BAM! outbid each and every time. Based on prices from the last two weeks my bids were high but the other bidders must have wanted the razors worse than I. My question is this; Do bidders use programs that bid on their behalf at the last second? I have tried bidding during last 15 second but the short delay usually within the last 15 seconds usually does not get through or are the last second bidders just that good?
Bidders on the Bay handed me my rear end today.
- Thread starter Gary H
- Start date
Short answer is yes, many do use a software that enters a bid at he last second.
Also you can use your max bid through ebay which will automatically bid for you to a certain price which you determined.
Ebay is a game, you can bid your top dollar and hope for the best but when everyone does that it goes higher and then in the last 20 seconds people become emotionally competative and not rational about the value.
If I really want something, within the last 5 seconds is when I bid what I am willing to pay for it. If it is $20.00 to $30.00 under what I might pay I usually win it. Also don't use round numbers. If $200.00 is your max go $201.00 or $201.50 to just beat out someone doing what you are doing. If you bid in the last 15 you might have another few seconds to get another bid in and end up overpaying to win the bid rather than really win the item.
If I really want something, within the last 5 seconds is when I bid what I am willing to pay for it. If it is $20.00 to $30.00 under what I might pay I usually win it. Also don't use round numbers. If $200.00 is your max go $201.00 or $201.50 to just beat out someone doing what you are doing. If you bid in the last 15 you might have another few seconds to get another bid in and end up overpaying to win the bid rather than really win the item.
yes, some do use software or are just good at bidding in the last seconds. Its called auction sniping. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auction_sniping
Sniping can be great. But if you just decide your max and bit it up front, i shouldn't really matter when you place the bid.
In the past, I used to watch certain auctions close just to watch the flurry at the end. People get stoopid as the seconds tick down.
Nowadays, I just enter my top dollar. If I don't get it, c'est la vie!
Nowadays, I just enter my top dollar. If I don't get it, c'est la vie!
Yes, the sniping software does make eBay frustrating. I agree with those that set a firm maximum bid and then wait it out. Even better, simply shop BST here since prices are usually better and the sellers are generally better folks.
I routinely use esnipe. The big advantage, for me, is that I can place a bid on esnipe and then withdraw it days later with no penalty.
I can only think of one reason to wait till the last minute to bid and that is you don't want folks to see a heavy hitter going after the item. That is certainly a consideration. Some items fly under the radar. But just because I have a bid on an item early in the game doesn't mean other potential bidders know how much I got behind it - or don't have.
I don't worry about it, I decide how much I want to spend on an item + shipping and that's what I will spend. If I lose, no worries. There will be another one like it sooner or later.
The large downside of not bidding early is that the seller might not see any bids, get nervous and decide to take that offer.
-jim
I just lost out on a bid last night, shortly after posting and recommending BST. Someone bid over the top of my max bid and while it would have been a nice razor to buy I stood my ground and will look for a different of the same type or even different model.
I had recommended BST... and still prefer buying here. The one downside of course, as a new member to B&B is the 50 post/45 day bar before posting WTBs. Sure, there are lots of great things posted as WTS's, but when there is something really specific and a bit unique (eg, a birth year item) then you are back to the bay (btw, not complaining as I understand the reasons behind the rule).
I had recommended BST... and still prefer buying here. The one downside of course, as a new member to B&B is the 50 post/45 day bar before posting WTBs. Sure, there are lots of great things posted as WTS's, but when there is something really specific and a bit unique (eg, a birth year item) then you are back to the bay (btw, not complaining as I understand the reasons behind the rule).
Auction stealer
I see nothing wrong with sniping. I think it's a smart strategy. Early bidders prematurely inflate the price of the item which drives it up even more in the last minute. However, not bidding early keeps the price low and gives the impression that its not a hot item. By bidding in the last few seconds I don't allow the other party to talk themselves into raising their max bid because they get competitive or decide "its just a few more bucks so what the heck?"
Playing on eBay with the big fish can be a humbling experience at times 
The reason you don't want to put in your highest bid in the beginning is because let's say you put in a 100.00 max on a 20.00 item. Then Joe Blow decides he's wants it and place a big for 25.00. Your 100.00 bid over bids him. He tried again with 40.00 but still he loses. He tries one more time for 50.00 and your 100.00 still beats it. However now your cost is 55.00.
In one snipe scenario you put in a 100.00 snipe, but the auction has no bids at that point. Joe blow puts in a 20.00 bid, and has the high bid. Lucky for you be doesn't put in his max bid. At the last second your snipe it, and shucks, you get that item for 22.00.
With sniping worse case scenario is you end up at the same place as putting in your highest at the beginning. Best case is saved money and won bids. YMMV.
You can also bid on multiple items with the parameter that once one in than group is won all others are cancelled. So you can lowball 50.00 fatboys without worrying you will win 50 fatboys.
In one snipe scenario you put in a 100.00 snipe, but the auction has no bids at that point. Joe blow puts in a 20.00 bid, and has the high bid. Lucky for you be doesn't put in his max bid. At the last second your snipe it, and shucks, you get that item for 22.00.
With sniping worse case scenario is you end up at the same place as putting in your highest at the beginning. Best case is saved money and won bids. YMMV.
You can also bid on multiple items with the parameter that once one in than group is won all others are cancelled. So you can lowball 50.00 fatboys without worrying you will win 50 fatboys.
I set my top price bid and let E-bay do the rest. I will not spend over 30 bucks most times on the bay for anything.
I use the same strategy.
Everyone under my post pretty much said the exact same thing 
amazing consensus, except the $30.00 guy, tough to get cool razors for that.
amazing consensus, except the $30.00 guy, tough to get cool razors for that.Similar threads
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