Sniping Programs?

MrSpud

I've heard that some people use sniping programs for auctions. How exactly do they work? Thanks, in advance, for any replies.
MrSpud

loanshark

I fear I have been burned on these types of programs recently and would like to know as well.

Loan Shark

fullerfun4

There are a number of sniping programs or services available. They make bids for the client at whatever time the client wants and at whatever price he is willing to pay, usually a few seconds before the close. Basically this just eliminates a bidder's need to bid early a drive up the sale price.
I personally don't see a problem with these services. If you bid what you believe the item is worth, you'll either win or lose. If you win, it means you were willing to bid more. If you lose, someone else wanted it more and was willing to pay more. If you utilize the robobid feature and bid the most you are willing to pay, what does it matter if you are outbid an hour before the close or 5 secs before?
To me, someone complaining about being "ripped off" by a sniper is really just complaining that he lost the opportunity to get an item for less than he believed it was really worth.
Just my humble opinion...
Gary

LucyBop

Just get Russel to do the dirty work, hes king of the snipe and has some 1 sec and even a perfect snipe with no time on the clock....


I can just see him... sitting at the computer... mouse in hand...

beads of sweat around his eye brows......

watching the seconds tick... then POW!!!!

SNIPOLA!!!!!

RUSSEL STRIKES AGAIN!

jom

Last second bids are irrelevant as far as winning vs. losing. If you bid your maximum it doesn't matter whether you bid at the last second or the last hour. What a last second bid DOES do is keep people from running your bid up to your maximum before the auction is over. It does NOT help you win the auction. The ONLY thing that "helps" you win is bidding higher than you competition.

jom

Russ

Jom,

Maybe not, but it's sure fun.

Russ, NCNE

Placid

I almost tried a snipping service until they wanted my account password.
I don't trust strangers much.

LincolnCentMan

I've had many auctions where I've placed strong bids early. Some dude would come in with five minutes left on the clock. They'd bid five or ten times nudging my bid up each time. Eventually, they'll either give up and stop which has cost me more on the bid price, or out bid me which loses me the coin.

www.auctionsniper.com

Costs 1% of the hammer price with a $.25 minimum and $5 maximum per winning bid.

David

RonMan

I've used esnipe a few times...seems to work ok.

I don't use it very much. Mostly when there is something that ends during a weekday since they have eBay blocked at work

When I signed up they had a free trial if you wanted to give it a try.

Ron

loanshark

Lincoln,
That has been my experience as well. Which is why I usually wait till the last minute to bid.

Loan Shark

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Last second bids are irrelevant as far as winning vs. losing. If you bid your maximum it doesn't matter whether you bid at the last second or the last hour. What a last second bid DOES do is keep people from running your bid up to your maximum before the auction is over. It does NOT help you win the auction. The ONLY thing that "helps" you win is bidding higher than you competition.

jom >>



While this is certainly true, it doesn't take one psychological aspect into account. All too frequently, there is somebody out there who does not understand about proxy bidding, and he just keeps bidding up, up, up, by tiny increments, each and every time he is outbid. Programs like esnipe (or putting in a manual snipe the old-fashioned way) help prevent bidding wars by closing in for the kill in the last few seconds, before that overzealous jackrabbit bidder has a chance to react. You won't even be on his radar, since your bid will not show at all until it's over.

Of course, as jom mentioned, you STILL have to be the highest bidder. If somebody else has entered a higher proxy bid, no amount of sniping software or anything is gonna help you. However, I have found esnipe to be useful at times. I started using it when I was finishing up my old Irish coin collection, and trying to fill some of the last holes that were tough to come by, though not necessarily expensive coins (in other words, coins with only a moderate book value but dates that didn't appear on the market too often). All too often, I would get sniped or outbid by somebody who was willing to go waaaaay over book price for the coins. After using esnipe a few times, I was a little more successful.

In summary, as others have said, sniping software might not always help you win, but it CAN save you money by protecting you from bidding wars.

Neptune

I have used esnipe.com since they first came out - and have never had a problem. It does take some of the thrill away, but it helps if you have a tendency to forget to bid on something you really want, can't be at computer at auction ending time and/or if you sometimes may have a slow connection for first hand sniping.

If hand sniping, it helps to have two browser windows open - one for watching, and the other for "the snipe" ....... and yes, it's true - your bid still has to be the highest - and sniping does often keep the price down - ie. bidding wars. I would prefer a snipe to a bidding war any day of week - much easier on the wallet. One sure thing for hand snipers, is to be SURE to sync your computer clock with eBay time - that's a must! Ahhhhhhhh, yes the thrill of a good old fashioned hand snipe beats all!

clackamas

Auctionsniper.com

nOoBiEeE

Darn you snipers...

Theop

I use Cniper

Free, easy to use, clean interface.

I have won about 6 auctions with this and bid on about 10 total without problems.

Faust

I've been using Vrane.com for a few months. Its free to run one snipe at a time. Just be aware that they snipe sometimes a little too soon, about 5-8 secs before auction end.

-Tony

TommyB

www.esnipe.com has never let me down. I may have bid to low, but my bids have always been placed. try esnipe.

Bikingnut

phantombidder.com works pretty well for me.

flaminio

<< <i>phantombidder.com works pretty well for me. >>

Seconded. I've been using PhantomBidder for years now, with great success. I only snipe now -- if you see me bidding early, I'm either BIN-stomping or not really interested.

Tootawl

Never used sniping software, never will. It takes the fun out of the auctions.

TayTay

I don't use them either, but I can snipe at work or home, only problem is when I'm asleep, then I usually give the wife the auction # and my max bid and let her do it.

GAT

The Auction Sentry snipe program will cost you a one time payment of $14.95. It works fine if you are connected constantly or will be online at the auction's end. I have been using it for over a year and the only short coming I have found is, it doesn't work well if your bidding on auctions closing less then a minute apart. They have a free trial.

Cameonut

I have been using esnipe.com since its inception - and have had only one problem in hundreds of snipes. I know there is alot of emotion around whether to snipe or not - and we all have been beaten out by a last second sniper. But esnipe lets me forget about having to be online to watch auctions and place bids at odd hours. It also keeps me from getting the dreaded "bidding frenzy" when I am watching an auction after consuming a few adult beverages.

The key to sniping is to decide in advance the maximum amount you are willing to pay for an item. Then place your esnipe bid and forget about it until the auction ends. I win some and I lose some, but I never get upset at the outcome.

All in all, I figure I have saved thousands by using sniping software. No active bidding against me and no obvious shills.

The only disadvantage I have found is that sometimes an auction is ended early due to no bids - but this is easily solved by placing a minimum bid early in the auction and then placing a snipe bid.

Cameonut

Gandyjai

Have you ever been away for the weekend and had no computer access and a coin
that you REALLY need to have expires during that time?

Have you ever had to make a choice between family "quality" time and a HOT auction ending?
Or, been stuck in a traffic jam when something you need is ending?

Sometimes, sniping programs come in very handy!

Gandyjai

Russ

<< <i>Never used sniping software, never will. It takes the fun out of the auctions. >>



Generally, I agree. But I occasionally use auctionsniper.com if I'm going to be out of the shop when an auction closes. Also, I sometimes set up an automatic snipe so I can manually snipe against myself.

Russ, NCNE

jom

<< <i>While this is certainly true, it doesn't take one psychological aspect into account. All too frequently, there is somebody out there who does not understand about proxy bidding, and he just keeps bidding up, up, up, by tiny increments, each and every time he is outbid. Programs like esnipe (or putting in a manual snipe the old-fashioned way) help prevent bidding wars by closing in for the kill in the last few seconds.... >>



Actually, that is exactly what I said.

Russ is right too. It can be exciting.

And, yes, I do use Esnipe. Usually because I'll forget and miss the end of the auction or I'm not home or something.

jom

Kriek

Good ol’ fashion manual sniper