eBay bids are frustrating
keoj
Posts: 980 ✭✭✭
I'm becoming more and more frustrated with eBay these days. This is the typical scenerio......
- See a item
- Bid on item at the level that I want to spend
- Item is sold to another higher bidder in last two seconds of auction
I have very mixed views on this. First, I think that I'm okay with this from the standpoint of I bid what I think the item (coin) was worth or what I was willing to pay. If I wanted the coin more, I should have bid more. That being said, it stings a little to be beat by .5% of a purchase price over and over again in the last second. I know, I know...stop the whining.
I'm starting to like the concept of extending bidding for another hour if a bid comes in at the last 10 minutes.
keoj
- See a item
- Bid on item at the level that I want to spend
- Item is sold to another higher bidder in last two seconds of auction
I have very mixed views on this. First, I think that I'm okay with this from the standpoint of I bid what I think the item (coin) was worth or what I was willing to pay. If I wanted the coin more, I should have bid more. That being said, it stings a little to be beat by .5% of a purchase price over and over again in the last second. I know, I know...stop the whining.
I'm starting to like the concept of extending bidding for another hour if a bid comes in at the last 10 minutes.
keoj
0
Comments
<< <i>...stop the whining. >>
PS: You're likely being beaten by a lot more than 0.5% of the purchase, by the way.
Second, extending the bidding won't matter and, from a seller's standpoint, imho, will end up hurting sales as people won't even bother bidding on something due to the possibility of it continuing over and over.
Third, if you don't like it, then snipe as well. Either manually, or using a sniping program.
What you are hitting is either someone already having a snipe and it just beating you, or someone entering in a bid. You don't know, for certain, that the winning bidder didn't have a much higher maximum. All you see is the next increment winning. That said, I no longer like to tip my hand by bidding my max early. Unless I don't care enough for a real bid and am just putting a stupid low bid in that, if it wins, cool, if not, oh well.
Snipe, or get out of the way
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>Are we really going to beat this horse again? >>
At least once every two weeks, right?
Whatchya bidding on..............?!?!?!!?
Sometimes I'll bid early on junk coins or stuff that just doesn't make any sense to try to throw them off
<< <i>Sometimes I'll bid early on junk coins or stuff that just doesn't make any sense to try to throw them off >>
You know that doesn't work...stick to sniping!
I do, however, think that bids should have to be in reasonable increments. My biggest gripe with sniping is that it makes the whole point of bidding "what you can afford" moot. If I put in a bid of $1000 for a coin, why should a bid of $1001.50 be allowed? There's no significant difference between those numbers. Bid increases should be a percentage of the previous bid.
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
<< <i>If I put in a bid of $1000 for a coin, why should a bid of $1001.50 be allowed? There's no significant difference between those numbers. Bid increases should be a percentage of the previous bid. >>
This should help clarify. Here is ebay's formula (range of bids followed by minimum increment):
$ 0.01 - $ 0.99 $ 0.05
$ 1.00 - $ 4.99 $ 0.25
$ 5.00 - $ 24.99 $ 0.50
$ 25.00 - $ 99.99 $ 1.00
$ 100.00 - $ 249.99 $ 2.50
$ 250.00 - $ 499.99 $ 5.00
$ 500.00 - $ 999.99 $ 10.00
$ 1000.00 - $ 2499.99 $ 25.00
$ 2500.00 - $ 4999.99 $ 50.00
$ 5000.00 and up $ 100.00
BTW: Most, if not all, reputable auctioneers have established full and "cut" bid increments
I was bidding on PCGS Kennedys (all PR69DCAM) this weekend and I would enter my max (which was really cheap) with about 5 minutes left. I was beat on all but 3 but I won each one of them for about $10 w/S&H. On the ones I didn't win at least the winner had to pony up a few more bucks because there was usually only one bid after mine.
Millertime
Complete Dime Set
In addition, while it looks like you lost by the next increment, it is possible that the highest bidder's maximum was much more. I have sniped and won many eBay auctions from anywhere from my highest bid to $50.00 less than my highest bid. It depended on the max bid of the underbidder.
I agree, stop whining and learn to snipe. It is the only sensible way to bid on eBay.
Joe.
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
<< <i>I think the bottom line is, eBay bidding is frustrating whenever you don't win a coin you wanted. >>
Sort of ranks right up there with "Water is wet", doesn't it?
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
<< <i>It's not the snipe or last bid that wins, it's the highest bidder.
In addition, while it looks like you lost by the next increment, it is possible that the highest bidder's maximum was much more. I have sniped and won many eBay auctions from anywhere from my highest bid to $50.00 less than my highest bid. It depended on the max bid of the underbidder.
I agree, stop whining and learn to snipe. It is the only sensible way to bid on eBay.
Joe.
Thanks, this is exactly what I was going to type, now I don't have to. Great Joe's think alike.
Joe
<< <i>I think the bottom line is, eBay bidding is frustrating whenever you don't win a coin you wanted. >>
It shouldn't be frustrating to him since he said he "Bid on item at the level that I want to spend" and lost
to someone that wanted to spend more for the coin.
.
<< <i>I agree, I don't think the sniping programs make bidding an even playing field. First of all, not everyone knows about the sniping programs and secondly, what's wrong with an item being bid on to get the actual value one is willing to pay for it? >>
Because there is ALWAYS someone willing to pay more..........its just that simple. If you really want the item, lay down a huge bid two seconds before the end of the auction because if you don't........................someone else will. I could almost guarantee that the bid the beat you was more than the amount you got beat by.
Now, stop the whining.
The name is LEE!
its moral and work performance improve.
Camelot
<< <i>
<< <i>I think the bottom line is, eBay bidding is frustrating whenever you don't win a coin you wanted. >>
Sort of ranks right up there with "Water is wet", doesn't it?
Kind of
If you snipe and don't win, then it's dammit, I didn't snipe high enough
If you don't snipe and lose, then it's dammit, I should have raised my max bid
But really, it all comes down to dammit, I wanted it...it's mine...MINE MINE MINE
PERFECT COIN... PERFECT SNIPE! : )
Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is? ~Frank Scully
<< <i>Because there is ALWAYS someone willing to pay more..........its just that simple. If you really want the item, lay down a huge bid two seconds before the end of the auction because if you don't........................someone else will. >>
Nuclear snipes are fine and good...until two or more people enter them. I sold a common-date AU IHC for $51 last year, and I suspect it was two competing nuclear snipes.
But the common date was on the coin twice.
Joe.
<< <i>Thanks for the explanation, Barndog. A $25 increment on $1000 still sounds low to me, but at least it's not as bad as I thought. >>
Well, Barndog was right but there is still a piece left out....
Let's say you bid your max early ($1000) and the current high bid is yours with seconds to go...and it is only at $800. Then, Mr Sniper comes in with his bid and his max bid is $1001.50 (or anything under $1025). I do believe he gets it. Since your bid wasn't maxed out, I believe ebay gets the Sniper bid max, looks at it to compare to yours, then accepts the highest one.
So, in this case, your high bid is $1000 but the coin sells for $1001.50.
The case where this would NOT work is where the current bid and the new bid have less room than the next increment.
So, if the current bid were $995 (where you have a max of $1000) and the next bid is the snipe of $1001.50, then I believe his bid is rejected because the next increment amount can't be made.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>
<< <i>Thanks for the explanation, Barndog. A $25 increment on $1000 still sounds low to me, but at least it's not as bad as I thought. >>
Well, Barndog was right but there is still a piece left out....
Let's say you bid your max early ($1000) and the current high bid is yours with seconds to go...and it is only at $800. Then, Mr Sniper comes in with his bid and his max bid is $1001.50 (or anything under $1025). I do believe he gets it. Since your bid wasn't maxed out, I believe ebay gets the Sniper bid max, looks at it to compare to yours, then accepts the highest one. >>
Well, that just blows, now doesn't it???
What kind of system could it be if something that absurd happens?
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
Far as I know, sniping has always been a part of the Ebay experience. Learn to deal with it, or go home mad.
I personally love it when I'm the seller, especially in a sniping war. I've seen some of my auction hammer prices tripled in the last 10 seconds.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
<< <i>What kind of system could it be if something that absurd happens? >>
The most efficient market yet devised for the internet?
<< <i>I personally love it when I'm the seller, especially in a sniping war. I've seen some of my auction hammer prices tripled in the last 10 seconds. >>
That is fun isn't it.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>Are we really going to beat this horse again? >>
Hey, this is the Ebay Forum isn't it???
I assume this is being done to prevent a "bargain" price being paid for these NR auctions. I reported it to Ebay as both of the involved parties have over 2700 feedback and are quite frequent sellers and buyers.
I spent all of 30 min. looking at this and maybe I got lucky and found the 2 or 3 bidders/sellers doing this, but I bet not. You would think that this type of buying to prevent a cheap sale would be easily tracked by Ebay. I bet none of these transactions ever really takes place and no fees, except for listing items is ever paid.
<< <i>Today I lost an auction by at least 3 bidders, but when I looked at who won I saw that they had bought over 21 previous items in a row from the seller. It was on a 1925D $2.50 Indian Eagle NTC MS64 that sold for $430. The buyer and seller seem to have quite a unique relationship to say the least.
I assume this is being done to prevent a "bargain" price being paid for these NR auctions. I reported it to Ebay as both of the involved parties have over 2700 feedback and are quite frequent sellers and buyers.
I spent all of 30 min. looking at this and maybe I got lucky and found the 2 or 3 bidders/sellers doing this, but I bet not. You would think that this type of buying to prevent a cheap sale would be easily tracked by Ebay. I bet none of these transactions ever really takes place and no fees, except for listing items is ever paid. >>
Shill bidding is a NARU-able offense. Ebay does seem to take it seriously.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
<< <i>Learn to snipe with your maximum bid and see how that works. >>
Now this is good advice and it works and I would suggest it.
My website
I know its no fun but with coins you simply can not avoid it anymore. I suggest you try a software program that helps you snipe and give it a go.
You fellows can extol the virtues of sniping until the cows come home. But as a buyer who is willing to pay fair prices and make timely payments, I’m sick of the crap too.
Honest auctions are run with fair warnings with fair incremental bidding, and the item is sold in such a way that everyone has a fair chance win the lot. You might need to make a split second decision, but at least you have a chance to make it.
The Ebay system sucks, and sellers should be aware that sniping turns off a lot of potential bidders, including me.
<< <i>
<< <i>What kind of system could it be if something that absurd happens? >>
The most efficient market yet devised for the internet? >>
The most efficient market yet devised for whom? There's nothing "efficent" about a system that allows a $1.50 bid increment on $1000.00, as in Bachiman's example, and then just drops the hammer because the clock runs out. Efficient bidding systems (e.g., real-world auctions) time the end of the auction from the time of the last bid (i.e., if no bids occur for a certain interval after, the bidding stops and that person wins). Ebay's system leaves the bidders that lost feeling screwed, and it short-changes the seller. Bids would be much higher if the bidding wasn't stopped at a set point just because the clock runs out, even though there were more people who wanted to get a bid in.
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
Otherwise my attitude for the most part is “To hell with Ebay.”
<< <i>Honest auctions are run with fair warnings, and the item is sold in such a way that everyone has a fair chance win the lot >>
Regular eBay auctions must be honest auctions then since they are run with a fair warning. "The auction will end at such and such time to the second. High bidder at that time will be the winner as long as the reserve, if any, has been met." And it seems to me that everyone has a chance to win the lot, Pretty much all you have to do is get your bid in before that time and be the high bid. Most live auctions must be dishonest auctions because I'm always seeing things that are unfair to absentee bidders such as lots being reopened, floor bidders being told that one more bid will take it etc. (Sometimes told this directly, sometimes by being told that their bid has tied the books high bid and they need to bid again to win it. That removes the "fair chance" from the absentee bidder. )
<< <i>The most efficient market yet devised for whom? There's nothing "efficent" about a system that allows a $1.50 bid increment on $1000.00, as in Bachiman's example, and then just drops the hammer because the clock runs out. Efficient bidding systems (e.g., real-world auctions) time the end of the auction from the time of the last bid (i.e., if no bids occur for a certain interval after, the bidding stops and that person wins). Ebay's system leaves the bidders that lost feeling screwed, and it short-changes the seller. Bids would be much higher if the bidding wasn't stopped at a set point just because the clock runs out, even though there were more people who wanted to get a bid in. >>
I understand your frustration, but my point was and still is that ebay is the most efficient internet auction yet...and it does appeal to the masses. There is not a more efficient, widely-used numismatic auction site out there. Other than making suggestions to ebay (and we know how well those work) or modifying one's bidding habits, there are few ways to avoid that feeling of being screwed.
For a bidding system that does benefit the seller by allowing the auction to continue for a short period after the last bid is placed (so no sniping, in ebay vernacular, occurs) one should go to David Lawrence Rare Coins. Of course, DLRC does not appeal to the masses like ebay does and DLRC does not auction AG-3 1945-P Mercury Dimes. If it is higher-quality coins one seeks, DLRC auctions are typically a good place to go. So if I'm a bidder on a high quality coin (widget?) available through ebay and DLRC, I want to bid on ebay so I can "snipe and save." If I'm a seller, I might consider DLRC so as to maximize my realized price...if my widget has a following with DLRC's narrower audience.
Just my opinion, of course.
If you want to have a nice day and enjoy your hobby, stay away from Ebay auctions. Life to too short to bother with them.
But on this issue I disagree with you. We have seen many changes in our lifetimes, especially in the area of computer technology. Ebay IMO is a fantastic way to get the masses involved and one either embraces the new "technology" or risks possibly being left behind. It is the way of the world.
Yes, the "rules" could be set-up in many different ways but the current eBay "rules" seem to work very well for the majority of people (see Yahoo) and one either decides to play by the "rules" or as you have decided, not play at all.
But IMO there is no reason to be "upset" with the "rules".
Joe.
<< <i>
<< <i>Are we really going to beat this horse again? >>
At least once every two weeks, right? >>
What gets me mad in the "Best Offer" option. I emailed some guy asking why he has best offer, he missed the point and said he has some good ones......
Anyway, I don't see how "Best Offer" will EVER be higher than letting the auction take place. Also, what a hassle having to field all these offers. What's the point?
Just the other day, this guy accepted a Best Offer. I emailed him and said he got ripped off because I would have bid higher to get the item. I guess he lost out on some money.
<< <i>Bill, I usually agree with you on most of your points. I believe that you and I are from about the same era.
But on this issue I disagree with you. We have seen many changes in our lifetimes, especially in the area of computer technology. Ebay IMO is a fantastic way to get the masses involved and one either embraces the new "technology" or risks possibly being left behind. It is the way of the world.
Yes, the "rules" could be set-up in many different ways but the current eBay "rules" seem to work very well for the majority of people (see Yahoo) and one either decides to play by the "rules" or as you have decided, not play at all.
But IMO there is no reason to be "upset" with the "rules".
Joe. >>
I don't do things with coins that are not fun. Ditto for my presidential campaign collection. When Ebay became a source of aggravation I pulled the plug. Ditto for Heritage’s two part political collectible auctions that forced you to be the top bidder in the Internet phase of the auction and then put the items out for a floor bid when you could be out bid again. From where I sit the only result from that scenario was that you ended up overpaying for everything if you were to win it at auction.
The Internet might be wonderful, but it’s pulled in a lot of yahoos who have no idea what anything is worth and are willing to bid until someone else quits. You might call that “a market,” but it’s not a great deal when you have to jump though the sale hoops to sell the item at a similar price.
It’s a great system for consignors, but the pits for buyers, and I chose not play. Over time I’ve found many items either in “normal” auctions or via private treaty. I’ll leave the gimmicks to those are willing to play those games.
<< <i>was it really shill bidding in the above example? Or was it two people who do a lot of business together? Ive had several return customers from previous months come in and bid on some coins because they were happy with previous transactions. I wouldnt refer to them as shills, just satisfied buyers. >>
If you look up the buyer you will see that they have bought more than 21 items in a row from only THIS seller, nobody else. The fake seller leaves the fake buyer feedback, but the buyer leaves none for the seller.
I only looked at the first 3 or 4 pages of feedback, but I find it impossible that someone with this many items for sale has one buyer who buys 21 items in a row.
Ebay is looking into it and we shall see what happens. Both the seller and buyer have feedback over 2,800.
8399653250 is the Ebay auction number if you want to check it out.