Many years ago, I hung out on an eBay related message board. In that time, situations such as yours came up and in the ones where the bidding page was either available for viewing online or a screenshot was available, there was a reasonable explanation for what happened.
Bottom line. I'm not making excuses. I offered you some possible explanations, you're free to disregard them if you like and if you never go to eBay again, that's okay with me.
From what I understand the snipping programs cut in at the last few seconds and execute bids a few cents over the high bid. By the time the on-line bidder knew about it, the auction was over. Bottom line, only losers bid live on eBay. You are second class bidders. The site should be called “SnipeBay.”
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Current price Bid 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
Occasionally you’ll see bids increase by less. This means that someone else placed a bid slightly higher than your automatic bid amount.
@BillJones said:
From what I understand the snipping programs cut in at the last few seconds and execute bids a few cents over the high bid.
Not possible. There's a bid increment that must be met if you bid after someone else has, and it's not "a few cents".
I think that's correct. But a pre-existing bid doesn't need to be a full increment above.
No, it doesn't.
Current high bid: $850, next bid must be $860. Bidder A bids $1000.11, current high bid goes to $860, next high bid must be $870. Last second Bidder B bids $1000, time runs out and Bidder A wins for $1000.11.
@BillJones said:
From what I understand the snipping programs cut in at the last few seconds and execute bids a few cents over the high bid.
Actually, the snipe bid is the maximum bid the bidder is willing to pay and eBay bids for the bidder up to that maximum bid. If you don't win, it's because someone was willing to pay more that you.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
@BillJones said:
From what I understand the snipping programs cut in at the last few seconds and execute bids a few cents over the high bid.
Not possible. There's a bid increment that must be met if you bid after someone else has, and it's not "a few cents".
I think that's correct. But a pre-existing bid doesn't need to be a full increment above. So, I'd be curious as to when Bill Jones placed his bid.
Probably about four years ago. I was piqued off at the time, and then moved on. I eventually acquired another example of the piece which was a CWT.
I was told, “You are the high bidder” when the lot closed. Then a snip flew in at less than a dollar above my bid, I was cut out with no recourse. This hobby is for fun. eBay is not fun.
** EBay auctions** … neveragain. I have bought one thing via “Buy it now.”
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
I have no idea about how eBay's website might happen to generate a response to display on your computer when you bid but if you are the high bidder at $2500, the next allowable bid would be $2550. if "a snip flew in at less than a dollar above my bid", that bid was made BEFORE yours was, not after.
@BillJones said:
From what I understand the snipping programs cut in at the last few seconds and execute bids a few cents over the high bid.
Actually, the snipe bid is the maximum bid the bidder is willing to pay and eBay bids for the bidder up to that maximum bid. If you don't win, it's because someone was willing to pay more that you.
In a regular suction, you have opportunity to bid again. At eBay the auction closes on you, and the super bidders, a.k.a. “Snipers” get to bid, and you cannot respond.
I’m done with this topic. If you want bid on eBay go ahead. Their auction is dead to me.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@MasonG said:
I have no idea about how eBay's website might happen to generate a response to display on your computer when you bid but if you are the high bidder at $2500, the next allowable bid would be $2550. if "a snip flew in at less than a dollar above my bid", that bid was made BEFORE yours was, not after.
Idk. What happens if two snipes come in at the end? Do they execute the bigger one regardless of increment? Seems unlikely if he was already at $2500, but I'm not prone to question what he saw.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
@jmlanzaf said:
What happens if two snipes come in at the end?
I can't say for sure, but I don't see why it would be any different than processing two bids that come in close together during the middle of the auction. I would presume each bid is processed in the order received to resolve each current bidder's standing at the point that bid was made and then on to the next bid received.
@jmlanzaf said:
Seems unlikely if he was already at $2500, but I'm not prone to question what he saw.
I'm not questioning what he saw. I am, however, suspicious of a claim that eBay would accept a new bid of $2500.11 when the current bid is $2500. The simplest explanation is that the 11 cent higher bid was made before Bill's but was not exposed until Bill made his bid.
An aside for people who still use eBay- this is an example of why not to bid in round figures. If you think a coin is worth $2500, it's not hard to imagine that others might, too. In this case, figuring a high bid of $2500 and then adding 1% (more or less) to it would have resulted in a win. An extra $15-$20 on a $2500 purchase isn't going to break the bank.
@jmlanzaf said:
What happens if two snipes come in at the end?
I can't say for sure, but I don't see why it would be any different than processing two bids that come in close together during the middle of the auction. I would presume each bid is processed in the order received to resolve each current bidder's standing at the point that bid was made and then on to the next bid received.
@jmlanzaf said:
Seems unlikely if he was already at $2500, but I'm not prone to question what he saw.
I'm not questioning what he saw. I am, however, suspicious of a claim that eBay would accept a new bid of $2500.11 when the current bid is $2500. The simplest explanation is that the 11 cent higher bid was made before Bill's but was not exposed until Bill made his bid.
An aside for people who still use eBay- this is an example of why not to bid in round figures. If you think a coin is worth $2500, it's not hard to imagine that others might, too. In this case, figuring a high bid of $2500 and then adding 1% (more or less) to it would have resulted in a win. An extra $15-$20 on a $2500 purchase isn't going to break the bank.
Actually, that strategy works elsewhere, including Heritage. It's also a good reason to bid early on widgets. Once the live auction starts, you are limited to increment and half increments, but not prior. So, for example, if you have a coin worth $500, you might win it with an early bid of 511 but you have to be at 525 or 550 during the live auction.
For people who don't understand not bidding early, a major dealer once bought an 1804 dollar and flipped it. His early bid held but he sold it for less than an increment higher. The increments get significant on 7 figure coins. Even for lesser numbers. It is important to be the first one to the right number. When everyone knows the "right number", you're not going to be able to snipe it.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
@Walkerfan said:
I can understand being frustrated by 'SNIPES' but I usually bid strong, so if someone snipes me, then they're gonna pay up. Sniping is also 'good', b/c the underbidder doesn't get an opportunity to go HIGHER, as he might in a soft auction close setting.
And if you lose $1000 coin by 11 cents, who cares?
In the end, if someone beats you by $.11and you are upset, you have to realize that you didn't have your true high bid entered and you bid less than what you were really willing to pay. When you enter your highest bid, it's essential to ask yourself, if I get outbid by $.01 will I be upset? If yes, then you're bidding less than you're willing to pay and should be prepared to accept the consequences.
I think the category of "aspirational bids" has been ignored. Sure it's a waste of time, but surely we have all fantasized about winning 1oz gold coins for the starting bid.
Comments
Many years ago, I hung out on an eBay related message board. In that time, situations such as yours came up and in the ones where the bidding page was either available for viewing online or a screenshot was available, there was a reasonable explanation for what happened.
Bottom line. I'm not making excuses. I offered you some possible explanations, you're free to disregard them if you like and if you never go to eBay again, that's okay with me.
From what I understand the snipping programs cut in at the last few seconds and execute bids a few cents over the high bid. By the time the on-line bidder knew about it, the auction was over. Bottom line, only losers bid live on eBay. You are second class bidders. The site should be called “SnipeBay.”
Not possible. There's a bid increment that must be met if you bid after someone else has, and it's not "a few cents".
Current price Bid 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
Occasionally you’ll see bids increase by less. This means that someone else placed a bid slightly higher than your automatic bid amount.
https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/bidding/automatic-bidding?id=4014
I think that's correct. But a pre-existing bid doesn't need to be a full increment above. So, I'd be curious as to when Bill Jones placed his bid.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
No, it doesn't.
Current high bid: $850, next bid must be $860. Bidder A bids $1000.11, current high bid goes to $860, next high bid must be $870. Last second Bidder B bids $1000, time runs out and Bidder A wins for $1000.11.
Actually, the snipe bid is the maximum bid the bidder is willing to pay and eBay bids for the bidder up to that maximum bid. If you don't win, it's because someone was willing to pay more that you.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Probably about four years ago. I was piqued off at the time, and then moved on. I eventually acquired another example of the piece which was a CWT.
I was told, “You are the high bidder” when the lot closed. Then a snip flew in at less than a dollar above my bid, I was cut out with no recourse. This hobby is for fun. eBay is not fun.
** EBay auctions** … never again. I have bought one thing via “Buy it now.”
I have no idea about how eBay's website might happen to generate a response to display on your computer when you bid but if you are the high bidder at $2500, the next allowable bid would be $2550. if "a snip flew in at less than a dollar above my bid", that bid was made BEFORE yours was, not after.
In a regular suction, you have opportunity to bid again. At eBay the auction closes on you, and the super bidders, a.k.a. “Snipers” get to bid, and you cannot respond.
I’m done with this topic. If you want bid on eBay go ahead. Their auction is dead to me.
Idk. What happens if two snipes come in at the end? Do they execute the bigger one regardless of increment? Seems unlikely if he was already at $2500, but I'm not prone to question what he saw.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I can't say for sure, but I don't see why it would be any different than processing two bids that come in close together during the middle of the auction. I would presume each bid is processed in the order received to resolve each current bidder's standing at the point that bid was made and then on to the next bid received.
I'm not questioning what he saw. I am, however, suspicious of a claim that eBay would accept a new bid of $2500.11 when the current bid is $2500. The simplest explanation is that the 11 cent higher bid was made before Bill's but was not exposed until Bill made his bid.
An aside for people who still use eBay- this is an example of why not to bid in round figures. If you think a coin is worth $2500, it's not hard to imagine that others might, too. In this case, figuring a high bid of $2500 and then adding 1% (more or less) to it would have resulted in a win. An extra $15-$20 on a $2500 purchase isn't going to break the bank.
Actually, that strategy works elsewhere, including Heritage. It's also a good reason to bid early on widgets. Once the live auction starts, you are limited to increment and half increments, but not prior. So, for example, if you have a coin worth $500, you might win it with an early bid of 511 but you have to be at 525 or 550 during the live auction.
For people who don't understand not bidding early, a major dealer once bought an 1804 dollar and flipped it. His early bid held but he sold it for less than an increment higher. The increments get significant on 7 figure coins. Even for lesser numbers. It is important to be the first one to the right number. When everyone knows the "right number", you're not going to be able to snipe it.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
In the end, if someone beats you by $.11and you are upset, you have to realize that you didn't have your true high bid entered and you bid less than what you were really willing to pay. When you enter your highest bid, it's essential to ask yourself, if I get outbid by $.01 will I be upset? If yes, then you're bidding less than you're willing to pay and should be prepared to accept the consequences.
I think the category of "aspirational bids" has been ignored. Sure it's a waste of time, but surely we have all fantasized about winning 1oz gold coins for the starting bid.