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sniping ebay - good or bad - and how?

Hi all,

I'm curious on people's opinion of "sniping sites" for ebay? I've been outbid more than a few times by last second snipe bids. They seem to work within the rules of ebay so it may be time to join 'em rather than fight em. I know outside of ebay most auction houses use something like the "30 minute rule" to extend bidding and avoid sniping but since ebay does not why not do it (right?).

So, if you think sniping is the way to go ... any recommendations on sites to use and or tips and tricks?

And if not, any ways to beat out a snipe without a sniping site and not lose out?

Cheers!

August

Tags: ebay, snipe

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Permalink Reply by David S on January 26, 2015 at 5:04am

on ebay you should always wait to the last second to bid (if you can), knowing that you may win some, and you may lose some. But at the same time you should always have a MAX bid you are willing to pay, so you won't be upset if you lose out (ie if an item is currently at $5.00, but you are willing to pay $100 for it, bid $100 with under 10 seconds left.) That's my strategy, and has paid off over the last 15 years on ebay. I have lost some items as the underbidder (ie i bid $100, and it sold for $101, but that's part of the game)...but have also got some items for dirt cheap. I feel like if you bid early in the process, other people have the opportunity to bid more then they originally would have, running up the price.

Another hint, bid weird numbers...like if your MAX bid in your mind is $100...really bid $101, as most people are likely to bid in round numbers...and if someone bids $100 at the same time you'll win.

Not sure what a sniping site is, I just bid directly on ebay.

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Permalink Reply by August on January 26, 2015 at 11:30am

I've been trying to follow this and you're right, it does work. For many of my auctions they are overnight so i'm also looking to sniping sites to handle autobidding (i'm too old to be up at 3am bidding on auctions :-P ).

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Permalink Reply by Sports n Stuff on February 16, 2015 at 8:19pm

Someone did tell me of a site. I'd have to check my emails for what it is or email them. I haven't used it as I go with the above method. Bid last second at what I'm willing to spend or just put your # in and off to bed. But like David said you win some and lose some. But always stick to your price unless you really want the item...ill throw something stupid out there just because I'm willing to pay whatever for whatever the item may be. Thank goodness I haven't had it come back to bite me in the you know what!

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Permalink Reply by J.Seah on January 26, 2015 at 6:51am

I would recommend esnipes or bidnapper.

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Permalink Reply by Null on January 26, 2015 at 6:56am

I snipe every single time. =)

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Permalink Reply by Pete Bendu on January 26, 2015 at 9:36am

I can't remember the last time I placed a bid directly on ebay.

Auctionsniper.com offers 3 free snipes to try their service.

Just remember, if you are ready to snipe it, someone else is too. Set your highest bid and forget about it. No waiting til the last second, or having to be at the computer.

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Permalink Reply by August on January 26, 2015 at 11:27am

Yeah - i think this is the thing i have to get used to. Set your highest price, remove any emotion from it, and walk away and let fate take its course ...

So if multiple people snipe, it just pretty much comes down to which service got in closest to the last (assuming all the snipes are high enough to raise the price), right?

Auctionsniper looks good. The 3 free ones seem to be "full featured" as well (ie not crippled "first time" ones).

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Permalink Reply by Null on January 26, 2015 at 1:47pm

The main reason I don't put my bid in immediately is because then it opens it up for "shill bidding" which a ton of eBay sellers do.

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Permalink Reply by Sports n Stuff on February 16, 2015 at 8:22pm

I've been experiencing shill bidding like crazy lately. Hence forcing me to not put a bid in til the last second. I think also putting a bid in early lets others know your after that item that the same person might want as well! All I know is I see the same people, can tell by their feedback and letters, bidding on mostly the same stuff I will.

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Permalink Reply by Chad B on January 26, 2015 at 10:43am

I was outbid at the last second on an autograph last night. I had my high bid already entered so using a sniping site would not have helped me. If I was willing to go higher I could have entered it earlier and had an increased shot at winning. The bid on the item went from $67 to approx. $128.50 in the last 5 seconds. I was beat by one bid increment.

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Permalink Reply by Ira Rosen on January 26, 2015 at 11:19am

That winning bidder could have bid $228.50. Or $328.50. No one except that bidder will ever know. That bidder will only have to pay whatever the next eBay increment is over your bid. eBay is not a real auction site, it's more like a Chinese auction. Real auctions give everyone a chance to top the highest bid. I think Pete Chuka's advice is best for eBay.