I snipe auctions--deal with it!

[dmooretoys]

OK, first I want to say that I routinely try to help people out on this website and I love to answer questions for people. I am a firm believer in the old adage that knowledge is power, but I also believe that if you have information that will help someone you need to share it. As a result, when I learned how to make avatars I noticed a lot of other people didn't have them so I have been trying my best to make as many as possible. Also, if someone has a question about something and I can help them I will reply to their thread, and I appreciate all the people who have done the same for me.

Having said that, I now want to talk about ebay. I recently received an email from someone telling me to stop sniping auctions on ebay. In fact, here is the email (minus the user's name):


Dan, I've noticed you have been bidding a lot at the last second on auctions that I have also bid on. I'm just going to say this once, but, not cool. I have a very long memory and more importantly, a reputation well in advance of yours in the community. Two can play that sniping game if you want to play that way. Otherwise, cut it out and bid ethically.


I just want to say that he is right in that I do routinely use an auction sniper for auctions I am interested in. I use the sniper for two reasons:

1) I work weird hours and I don't have time to sit and watch auctions; in fact, I've been outbid while I was at work on several items I really wanted and that is why I started sniping in the first place.

2) Generally, I pay less for the item than if I get into a bidding war with someone else. I have seen auctions go for three times what they are actually worth because two people got into a bidding contest.

I'm not making excuses for the sniping and I am going to continue doing it. I am also going to continue helping as many people as I can with whatever I can. So far, I have filled every single request for avatars I have received. Does auction sniping make me a bad person? I don't know, but if you collect paperwork or other licensed collectibles you may have been sniped by me on ebay before and I apologize in advance for the future snipings to come. For those of you that have a problem with it I invite you to find an auction sniping service of your own. Just do a search at google.com and you will find several. Auction sniping isn't illegal and everyone can do it so jump on the bandwagon! I do regret bidding (and sniping) against other members on this board but please keep in mind that a lot of the items I bid on are fairly rare and I don't want to pass them up. If these items were listed every week or even every month I wouldn't snipe them.

This is my philosophy on it--what do you think?

Dan

[Inspector Sledge Hammer]

This is going to be an ugly thread, I can see it now.

There are obviously two different sides to this, those who snipe, and those who dislike the idea of sniping.

Personally, I have done some sniping, but usually only when I stumble upon an auction near the end, or I have already been outbid earlier in the auction process.

What I would like to see is that if a bid is placed within the last minute, the previous bidder is given a chance to place a follow-up bid. Just one, no incremental bids. A last chance if you will.

What really gets me is being outbid by someone who has not expressed interest in the item before.

[Xavieur@aol.com]

I think that with eBay, everyone has gotten beat at some point of another on an auction, yes, we all have to "deal with it." But if you are sniping, that means that you noticed the auction, are watching it, and waiting until the last seconds to bid. The truth is, "bidding wars" may result in prices that do not reflect the average person's interpretation of an item's value, but THAT IS the marketplace. Worth is determined by the market. If you constantly snipe, you are intentionally trying to "steal a deal" by underminding the market, preventing others from having the chance to "rebid." Its one thing to get a good deal on ebay, sniping is not the same. Its unethical. And, personally, I think that if you are intentionally using a service to snipe others who are members of the same JOE community, it certainly doesn't reflect good character on yourself.

In practice, we could all snipe, yet I never have (though I have stayed vigilent and constantly bid up to the last few seconds myself on items I wanted, or seen things at the last minute and ended up bidding on them). But some people are known to bid at the last few seconds with an outrageous amount, just so they can unquestionably win an auction which is just one reason why people don't always (or probably usually) start with their true high price -- indeed, people are entitled to adjust that too!

[sinnister]

Ugly thread indeed. I for one see nothing wrong or unethical about sniping. Also see nothing in the ebay rules warning against this practice. If you want to snipe, snipe. If you want to combat snipers...you have to snipe them. As far as not expressing interest in an item goes...it may not be public intrest. The seller will know if some others have intrest due to the number of people that have their item on their watch list. I have been sniped many times on ebay but I just take it in stride. It apparently wasnt meant for me to have it. If you are worried about being sniped...make your high bid higher than you think a sniper will bid. I dont know how these 'programs' work for ebay. All bidding I have done is when I am sitting in front of the computer.

[Xavieur@aol.com]

What I would like to see is that if a bid is placed within the last minute, the previous bidder is given a chance to place a follow-up bid. Just one, no incremental bids. A last chance if you will.

What really gets me is being outbid by someone who has not expressed interest in the item before.

I agree with the above point; I would love to see a "last chance" bid for someone who is outbid in the minute.

[Xavieur@aol.com]

[QUOTE=sinnister]If you want to combat snipers...you have to snipe them. [QUOTE]


Or simply boycott them by holding them in contempt. The community we have warrants at least some standard of ethical conduct. ebay, my friends, is NOT WAR (despite the need of some to always equate GIJOE with the right to war).

[sinnister]

I agree with the above point; I would love to see a "last chance" bid for someone who is outbid in the minute.

As I said...I dont know anything about sniping programs...or how they work. I will bid the max amount I think something is worth to me then if someone wants it more and bids higher with a sniping program so be it. I have already put my MAX bid in. From what it sounds like, others are not putting in their max bids...if they are wanting the opportunity to rebid if they are outbid at the last moment. Like I said, I combat this by just putting in my max and leaving it at that. That being said, I rarely go on ebay anymore at all. Seems more often than not I have not been completely satisfied with the items I have won so I would rather trade or purchase directly from an individual or website.

[Obiwanjacoby]

Read it in the official ebay seller's guide at Wal*Mart (or some such endcap book). No matter who writes it. Everyone will tell you this is a fact.

Deal with it.

There's some things in life that we don't like and make us uncomfortable, and learning to overlook those things proves that type of patience and maturity that we only tell others we have.

There is absolutely no "unwritten code of honor" here, or on any other forum. Collectors only claim there is to keep bidders away from what they perceive to be "their own private Joe auction".

-PJ

[sinnister]

[QUOTE=Xavieur@aol.com][QUOTE=sinnister]If you want to combat snipers...you have to snipe them.

Or simply boycott them by holding them in contempt. The community we have warrants at least some standard of ethical conduct. ebay, my friends, is NOT WAR (despite the need of some to always equate GIJOE with the right to war).

I am not 'equating GIJOE with the right to war'. Bid what you feel is the maximum amount you want to bid and go about your business. If someone outbids you the 'right' way or by sniping it doesnt matter. You have already bid your max. This is what I do to make sure I dont get into the heat of a bidding war. If I see an item, I bid my max and leave it at that. More often than not I end up being outbid but hey...I offered what I felt was fair and was outbid. I dont hold someone in contempt for bidding more than me whether it is a 'fair bid' or not. If something is worth 45 bucks to me...its worth 45 bucks...not 50.

[Obiwanjacoby]

But some people are known to bid at the last few seconds with an outrageous amount, just so they can unquestionably win an auction. . .

And if that "outrageous amount" (your vague, opinionated, subjective, theoretical amount, btw) becomes the final bid????

It affects the market average, yes. But at the same time, the bidder is expected to pay that same "outrageous" amount. It balances out. The buyer has to shoulder the burden of his bid. There's nothing he/she really gets away with when sniping an auction.

Take the risk if you may, but when you play. . .you pay.

I'm a poet & didn't know it!

-PJ