Justification for Snipe Bidding

[dmar836]

There is another thread about a B-15B already at $1200 and how it was likely tagged up there incrementally by a non-serious bidder.

http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=11509

I hate to admit it but that's exactly why I snipe bid. Why? That forces me to have only one shot with my highest bid (this is the true intention of the auction and seller in the first place). In addition it protects my high bid from being picked at by jerks like that. It basically boils the 7-day auction down to about a minute with everyone throwing in their best at the end.
To prove my point:
I just one an auction where we my wife put in $1500 or so with 14 minutes to go(my PC at home had a Microsoft spam shutdown - of all times!). Why 14 minutes? She said she was afraid to miss it. She watched for 14 minutes and with 3 minutes left the price steadily went from $350 where the last serious bidder quit to a final of $1025. We still won but only one bidder with a feedback score of (1) bid 5 times in the last three minutes to take it from $360 to his final bid of $1000. $1000 is not a winning number to bid nor is starting at $350 with 3 minutes. So unless someone steps forward, I suspect shill bidding at worst and a jerk getting excited at best. Had I sniped, the shill bidder couldn't have caught up to me with 5 more bids as he was obviously not wanting to go big with only one bid like we did. Get my drift? Since he was the only one to bid after us, I could have likely won for less than $400 rather than $1025!
Wait till you see it though!

Dave

 

[RCSignals]

I understand and agree with you.

but snipe bidding doesn't need any justification. It is still bidding done while the auction is open to bidding.

 

[Atticus]

Snipe bidding saves me money two ways...since I set the snipe and forget it, I don't ever get caught up in the excitement of a bidding war, and (second) it often lets me be the final bidder before a bidding war begins.

Once, after I sniped a cherry, 1970 M-65, the next highest bidder PMed me via ebay and called me a jerk. I took it as a compilment.

AF

 

[ausreenactor]

If that bidder still bid to his plan you and you sniped to yours, you would have paid the same price. It is an auction to the last minute. At least the auction ran to the end. I loathe the 'advertisers' who list with the intention to pull it for an offer down the line. Some are serial offenders. I place a hefty bid and then sit to the end with 1-click bid on with my highest bid and watch and shoot if necessary. Any snipers are open to a counter-snipe.

Couchy

 

[dmar836]

I agree. Nothing worse than selling out like that. And those who offer?

I saw on that B-15B today:
"Q: hi! would you consider a $250 'buy it now' option for this jacket? please let me know- thanks!"

Maybe that strategy works for him but is spells "lowlife" to me.

JMO,
Dave

 

[m444uk]

If that bidder still bid to his plan you and you sniped to yours, you would have paid the same price. It is an auction to the last minute. At least the auction ran to the end. I loathe the 'advertisers' who list with the intention to pull it for an offer down the line. Some are serial offenders. I place a hefty bid and then sit to the end with 1-click bid on with my highest bid and watch and shoot if necessary. Any snipers are open to a counter-snipe.

Couchy

Over time you'll pay more using that strategy. Sniping software doesn't counter snipe. It just places an automated bid, at the bidders maximum, in the last 2 to 3 seconds. In other words, a proxy bid, but one that is hidden from others chipping away at it.
At the auction close ebay calculates the highest bid from all sources incrementally.The highest bid on the system after the auction closes wins.

 

[Roughwear]

IMO sniping is the way to go unless the auction is a BIN type. I use it 99% of the time as it can keep the final price down a little.

 

[Rutger]

I open two windows, one to see the clock, another one with my very, very, very highest justified bid (the one at which I feel I won't be sorry for loosing even if I had bid only a dollar higher) and then just confirm in the last two seconds. I admit I like the rush that starts in the last 10 seconds. I wouldn't want to miss that so I will never snipe. Takes the sport out of it.
Neither does it allow other people to push me towards a much higher price if I had placed an early high bid.
Disadvantage : I have to get up from bed at 3 or 4 in the morning if it's a US auction.

Nothing wrong with sniping in itself though.

 

[dmar836]

Rutger, I think we are doing the same thing. To clarify, I am not talking about bots or any trickery that's against Ebay rules. I'm simply referring to a last minute hail Mary "snipe" bid.
Dave

 

[ButteMT61]

Sniping is great. I only snipe, unless it;s a But It Now.

1) I set it and forget it.
2) I set limits and stick to them.
3) I don't show my hand to other bidders - it's a competition after all.

No need to justify. It's legit and works.

 

[Roughwear]

Sniping is great. I only snipe, unless it;s a But It Now.

1) I set it and forget it.
2) I set limits and stick to them.
3) I don't show my hand to other bidders - it's a competition after all.

No need to justify. It's legit and works.

Very well put Scott. My thoughts entirely.

 

[ButteMT61]

Jeez, sorry for the typos! If only I could go back and edit them out :lol:

Thanks Andrew.

 

[deeb7]

Jeez, sorry for the typos! If only I could go back and edit them out :lol:

Oh no, I liked the But it Now, thought it was a Freudian slip.

 

[ButteMT61]

Jeez, sorry for the typos! If only I could go back and edit them out :lol:

Oh no, I liked the But it Now, thought it was a Freudian slip.

Should be "Butt It Now"

 

[Vcruiser]

Jeez, sorry for the typos! If only I could go back and edit them out :lol:

Oh no, I liked the But it Now, thought it was a Freudian slip.

Should be "Butt It Now"

'Butte it now'...

 

[ButteMT61]

Damn Van, you've been on a roll lately...
Butte It Now. Classic. Heard you guys got some snow???

 

[Vcruiser]

Damn Van, you've been on a roll lately...
Butte It Now. Classic. Heard you guys got some snow???

It's the Sam Adams talking...
Yeah..bitter cold..icy..snowy...but warmimg up a little in a few days.
I'm not even a winter person. I like sunny 82.

 

[Jason]

Sniping, counter-sniping... no matter how you bid, the same principle applies: the person prepared to pay most, wins (if everyone plays by the rules that is). Thats good enough for me, and I don't feel the least bit guilty using the practice.

 

[RCSignals]

I open two windows, one to see the clock, another one with my very, very, very highest justified bid (the one at which I feel I won't be sorry for loosing even if I had bid only a dollar higher) and then just confirm in the last two seconds. I admit I like the rush that starts in the last 10 seconds. I wouldn't want to miss that so I will never snipe. Takes the sport out of it.
Neither does it allow other people to push me towards a much higher price if I had placed an early high bid.
Disadvantage : I have to get up from bed at 3 or 4 in the morning if it's a US auction.

Nothing wrong with sniping in itself though.

What you are doing is still sniping. Sniping in it's truest form.

 

[Jaguar46]

I open two windows, one to see the clock, another one with my very, very, very highest justified bid (the one at which I feel I won't be sorry for loosing even if I had bid only a dollar higher) and then just confirm in the last two seconds. I admit I like the rush that starts in the last 10 seconds. I wouldn't want to miss that so I will never snipe. Takes the sport out of it.
Neither does it allow other people to push me towards a much higher price if I had placed an early high bid.
Disadvantage : I have to get up from bed at 3 or 4 in the morning if it's a US auction.

Nothing wrong with sniping in itself though.

What you are doing is still sniping. Sniping in it's truest form.

I agree. This type of maneuver (self sniping) is what led to proxy sniping. They are both sniping.