Sniper Etiquette

Geoman

I have read several posts regarding the behavior and tactics of so-called "snipers" who bid at the last second. I was very surprised to learn that there was actually Sniper Software out there. But one question I haven't seen answered was What do you do if you want to win an auction, but see a forum's members' name as high bidder? I used to bid at the last second, as I thought this was a good way to try and win. Didn't even know it was called "snipping" until last week.

For example, I am interested in a certain coin, and have added it to my Watchlist. I have watched it throughout the final day and am staying up late to bid. Then you recognize a forum members name as high bidder right before you place your bid. Do you still bid? Or do you just call it a loss?

-Geoman

Dog97

If a forum members bids on an auction there is a good chance that somebody out of eBay's 10 million members will bid against him.

Dog97

dp

lincolnSence

Go for it - there will be a thread on it the next day we can all read.

TommyB

the word "etiquette" will not be found in a snipers dictionary. Bid

freeblue

Why? This is America, you have the freedom to bid!

(You don't need UN approval.)




To quote "it's madness, I tell ya, madness!!!", oops, he had already it there. Yeah!

MrLee

<< <i>Sniper Etiquette >>

No such animal.

numobri

Take'm out.May the most cash,win(sure hope it aint me).

BSqr

It’s an auction, every man for himself unless your conscious tells you otherwise

BTW - I hate being sniped but I get over it in a few seconds

DCAMFranklin

If a Member really wants that coin, then they should have bid enough to win the auction. If he /she get's mad about not winning the auction after another Member outbids them at the last second, then they need to go look in the mirror. That is only person they have a right to blame! Don't be surprised if you aren't the only Member throwing a bid on the coin in the last few seconds!

DirtroadRider

DCAMFranklin is right about the amount bid. Many of us who use ebay try to get a item at the lowest price we can pay. But when someone comes along at the last milisecond and outbids us, we get alittle out of wack. But as DCAMFranklin points outs if you really want the item then bid the highest amount you are willing to pay, an then if you get sniped well so be it. Someone else was just willing to pay a bit more than you. So my opinion is if you want something then pay for it, don't try to be a tightwad and think the rest of the ebay bidders has the small tight pockets...

hughesm1

Sniper Etiquette...what an oxymoron. It depends how bad you really want the coin and what you're willing to pay. If it's something that's going to fill the last, or nearly the last hole in your collection and that coin doesn't show up too often than go for it.

dorkkarl

sniping irritates the bejeebees out of me - but i do it to. there's absolutely nothing wrong w/ it, & absolutely nothing wrong with outbidding a forum member.

K S

Conder101

Sometimes, if I have found the auction with plenty of time before it ends, I will contact the member and discuss it with them. If they really need it I'll usually back off or we compare what our max bids are and if his is higher so I wouldn't get it anyway I don't bid and just run him up and vice versa. If there isn't enough time for that and I want the item, I bid!

1907Quarter

just love the thread on Ursabear's recent snipe off a forum member. All's fair in love and coins! The post-mortem banter was spirited and no one was angry!

Gilbert

Do what you feel.

As for some of the other comments, well, some of us on here are true friends and the anything goes attitude ain't always welcome. But, have at it. What goes around comes around: it IS a somewhat limited world in "coin collecting".

Russ

<< <i>What do you do if you want to win an auction, but see a forum's members' name as high bidder? >>



It really depends on which forum member it is. If it's Don or Marty, no mercy! Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Russ, NCNE

airplanenut

<< <i>Sometimes, if I have found the auction with plenty of time before it ends, I will contact the member and discuss it with them. If they really need it I'll usually back off or we compare what our max bids are and if his is higher so I wouldn't get it anyway I don't bid and just run him up and vice versa. If there isn't enough time for that and I want the item, I bid! >>

same here

au58

There is no such thing as sniper etiquette. Also, unless it it between "related" parties, e.g., business partners or familiy members, discussion or agreeements regarding bidding techniques, acceptable price, or other factors that might influence the outcome of a given auction may generally regarded as "collusion", which is a criminal offense in most states. CAUTION: Be wary of where this thread goes and what you are willing to put in writing regarding your own behavior.

coinguy1

au58 - good advice!

Twowood

I've done my share of sniping, successfully in most cases, but I do it only when I want the auction item desperately. I'm not suprised to see that someone out there is marketing software for snipers.
Whenever I've been beaten by a sniper I've always suspected that
that he had outside help.Otherwise how could he possilbly place the winning bid consistently with 10 seconds or less left in the auction?
Twowood

Russ

<< <i>Whenever I've been beaten by a sniper I've always suspected that that he had outside help. Otherwise how could he possilbly place the winning bid consistently with 10 seconds or less left in the auction? >>



I don't use any "outside help", and I'd be embarassed if I left that much time on the table. Two to four seconds is the goal.

Software is for wussies.

Russ, NCNE

Mrpawn

Many is the time that when I showed mercy at an auction I later regretted it.

Make your bids It's an auction

JR

airplanenut

<< <i>Whenever I've been beaten by a sniper I've always suspected that
that he had outside help.Otherwise how could he possilbly place the winning bid consistently with 10 seconds or less left in the auction? >>


I have had three snipes with 1 second left, including my first. Occasionally this happens because my internet slowed down at the last second, but the basic amount of time left is always intentional and I have never clicked bid with more than 6 seconds left unless I lose track of the time and bid to be sure I am not too late. I only use a program when I am not home so I can still get a good deal.

Jeremy

ricko

Sniping is legitimate and fun..... that said, I only use it when I am determined to own the item. And I do not lose.... I do not use software, just two screens and nerves of steel. Cheers, RickO

DMWJR

Pirates of old used to raise the Jolly Roger prior to an attack.

If Ebay required bidders to "sign up" for an auction at least 30 seconds before the end of the auction, they could fly the Jolly Roger on the auction page. This way, everyone would know that someone was out there lurking and waiting to snipe.

Until then, I'll keep on sniping. It's all in the timing and consistency of your connection. I snipe inside 5 seconds all the time, because I'm afraid of getting sniped.

RLinn

Sniping sounds remarkably like a live auction. Going once, .....twice.....Sssss.....I have 3300 form the new man in the corner. Only difference I see is eBay doesn't allow the weak second bidder another bite at the apple. Live by the rules, die by the rules.

HuliganRS

You gotta do what you gotta do...

So do it

Rusty.

DanC

I used to use sniper software... but it's not as reliable as manually nailing 'em.

Russ shoots for 2-4 seconds? HA! My goal is 1-second snipes. (hard to do though)
It makes it alot more fun.

airplanenut

Dan,

Is it an online service or loaded on your hard drive software? If it's on your computer, I could see how it is slower.

Jeremy

BillJones

“Sniper etiquette” Isn’t that an oxymoron?

DanC

I was for awhile using a local application, I forget the name - I think it was by "e-bud" software and has since been bought out.

It worked ok, but they had too many bells and whistles in it - like the Homer Simpson "DOH" when you didn't score. It slowed the application down.

One interesting side effect of doing it manually, is you become quite good at counting down 60 seconds manually.

1907Quarter

It does take nerves of steel, now doesn't it?

Sealyp

Take it from one who very recenty had my quarter STOLEN from me by a fellow member here, no hard feelings. He beat me not because of a snipe, but he paid more than I did. Although after the auction, I was wishing I had offered more, but its his now. AND I SURE HOPE HE IS HAPPY!!!!!

Glad to see he has not yet put his $.25 in on this thread. That would be more than I could bare!

clackamas

Highest bidder always wins regardless of when they placed the bid.

shortdj

I have bid recently on two auctions against and un-named fellow board member. He won one, and I won one, so it's a draw as far as auctions are concerned. May the best man win with the most he is willing to pay for the item. True, it does drive up the final cost...but that's why it's called an auction. Nothing wrong with spirited bidding. Turns out that the auction item I lost on was available from the seller after the auction ended, so I got my wanted item anyway (no harm in calling a seller you have done multiple business deals with and asking!) Just have fun!

RGL

Live by the snipe, die by the snipe ... You pick up some good pieces at decent prices (you were willing to pay the most) and have lost a few (not willing to pay the most). If I really want a coin with no BIN, it's a strong bid still placed late so as to not run up the price in a bidding war with others. You can't get bent out of shape if some your snipes fall short or you get oursniped yourself!

heavycopper

I'm not really a sniper. If I really want a coin, I will stay with in to the last second to make sure I get it. I hate for someone to beat me. If I bid and not check on it, I rarely win.