"...much of the time sniping is a silly, and losers, game."

ziggy29 · October 5, 2006 3:05AM

Someone seem to really hate sniping.

Obviously a seller wanting to start more bidding wars early.

Sniping is a "losers" game if you're the type of person who wants to win a coin at any cost, even if it means paying beyond "stupid money" for it.

ricko · October 5, 2006 3:16AM

Sniping is great... works for me all the time. If the price is too high... I will not snipe. I have NEVER lost an item I wanted. Cheers, RickO

seemyauction · October 5, 2006 3:19AM

Sniping only works if there is not a lot of bidding happening. If any item is bid up close to its value then what good is a snipe bid?

Preussen · October 5, 2006 3:25AM

<< Obviously a seller wanting to start more bidding wars early. >>

Obviously. Sniping has worked extremely well for me. - Preussen

MajorDuty · October 5, 2006 3:26AM

That seller has 46 negatives. Just fyi.

19Lyds · October 5, 2006 3:31AM

I always try to snipe at the last minute. I learned at an early age that if you lay your hand out for all to see then its gonna attract some interest. In other words, if I really want the item and am willing to pay $700 for it, then I'll put that $700 in at the last minute in an effort to get it at say $500. This avoids the "incremental" bidders. After all, just because I am willing to pay $700 does not mean I would be happy about paying $700. I'd pay it but I would be much happier to get it at the $500 mark!

As far as losing a snipe, I've had just as many losses as wins because my top dollar may not always be THE top dollar and I can live with that.

MacCrimmon · October 5, 2006 3:33AM

Chard pretty much deals in highly inflated bullion related products. They also use stock images.

lkrarecoins · October 5, 2006 3:34AM

I guess there are certain auctions where sniping may be beneficial, however I have yet to win one of them in 5 attempts.

I'll only use a sniping service if I know I won't be around a computer.

Len

Russ · October 5, 2006 3:47AM

<< Advice and analysis from a "Platinum Power Seller" >>

I stopped reading after that. Did I miss anything?

Russ, NCNE

Sandhawk · October 5, 2006 3:49AM

SNIPING RULES !!!!

pharmer · October 5, 2006 3:50AM

It's the precise opposite of what chard claims. Only sniping works if you absolutely have to have it, and at the lowest possible price.

ziggy29 · October 5, 2006 3:54AM

<< It's the precise opposite of what chard claims. Only sniping works if you absolutely have to have it, and at the lowest possible price. >>

If you absolutely have to have it, you'd better hope no one else ALSO enters a nuclear snipe!

123cents · October 5, 2006 3:54AM

I have to confess. I am a sniper.

AlixTCat · October 5, 2006 4:15AM

I've had mixed results with sniping. Mostly losses. When I snipe, I intend to get the item for much less than it is worth. Many times there are other people who are willing to pay what the item is worth, so I lose. When I want an item, I look for a BIN and just buy it. I hate waiting for auctions to end so I can snipe. I consider it a waste of my time. Sniping programs seem to work for folks, but who wants to give their ebaY ID and PW to someone to snipe for you. The stand alone sniping programs are usually spyware that also report back to the makers your ID and PW. But that's just been my experience.
When I am selling, obviously I hate snipers. With only a few seconds to spare, how can they enter their highest bid? Most bidders are incremental bidders and even though they might be willing to pay $500, they can win with $400 because there was no bidding war to happen.

JMO

Jonathan

flaminio · October 5, 2006 4:36AM

<< I've had mixed results with sniping. Mostly losses. When I snipe, I intend to get the item for much less than it is worth. Many times there are other people who are willing to pay what the item is worth, so I lose. >>

Well, that's your fault, not the fault of the strategy of sniping. Snipe your max and you'll win a few more auctions.

<< When I want an item, I look for a BIN and just buy it. I hate waiting for auctions to end so I can snipe. I consider it a waste of my time. >>

Me too. Nothing worse than sitting at the computer on a sunny Sunday afternoon waiting to place a bid, when you could be outside playing. But that's what automation is for...

<< Sniping programs seem to work for folks, but who wants to give their ebaY ID and PW to someone to snipe for you. >>

Me, for one. I'm not so concerned about my eBay password. Yes, it'd be a hassle to unwind if it got hacked, but it's not nearly as crucial as my brokerage or bank account passwords.

<< The stand alone sniping programs are usually spyware that also report back to the makers your ID and PW. >>

You've got evidence of that? The standalone programs I've looked at were spyware-free, and did not communicate any information back home. That's rather their selling point -- you don't need to divulge your password to anyone.

<< When I am selling, obviously I hate snipers. >>

There's another name for snipers -- "bidders". What difference does it make to you, the seller, whether someone bids with six days to go, or six seconds to go? When I sell, I welcome all bidders.

<< With only a few seconds to spare, how can they enter their highest bid? >>

With a keyboard? Just a guess...

<< Most bidders are incremental bidders and even though they might be willing to pay $500, they can win with $400 because there was no bidding war to happen. >>

The number one reason I use a sniping service is to stay away from incremental bidders and out of bidding wars. Nothing worse than getting your early proxy nibbled away by an incremental bidder.

Steve27 · October 5, 2006 4:41AM

"<< Advice and analysis from a "Platinum Power Seller" >>"

"I stopped reading after that. Did I miss anything?"

Nope.

19Lyds · October 5, 2006 4:52AM

"Nuclear Snipe"

I think the term is very fitting and have only had 1 actually detonate in my face! It was for a roll of coins and there were two nuclear snipers in play (unbeknownst to me). He was using a 196 megaton snipe while I had the 197 megaton version! Ha ha ha. Boy was I surprised!

Did it deter me? Nope! Back at it the very next day!

TheCaveTroll · October 5, 2006 4:53AM

<< 

<< Advice and analysis from a "Platinum Power Seller" >>

I stopped reading after that. Did I miss anything?

Russ, NCNE >>

nope

fishcooker · October 5, 2006 5:12AM

It's true, sniping doesn't work.

And sellers don't shill.

BobaFett72 · October 5, 2006 5:20AM

i guess if your not going to be near a computer, or bidding on multiple items at the same time then its probably useful. If it's something i really want I'll just use the regular Ebay bidding system. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I'm on a computer from 8:30am till 4pm at work; then at home from about 8pm till midnight (for sports; stocks & pokerstars) Ebay is just a click away lol.

ziggy29 · October 5, 2006 5:35AM

The irony is that the items listed to the right of the article are for sniping software.

AlixTCat · October 5, 2006 5:40AM

<< 

<< I've had mixed results with sniping. Mostly losses. When I snipe, I intend to get the item for much less than it is worth. Many times there are other people who are willing to pay what the item is worth, so I lose. >>

Well, that's your fault, not the fault of the strategy of sniping. Snipe your max and you'll win a few more auctions.

<< When I want an item, I look for a BIN and just buy it. I hate waiting for auctions to end so I can snipe. I consider it a waste of my time. >>

Me too. Nothing worse than sitting at the computer on a sunny Sunday afternoon waiting to place a bid, when you could be outside playing. But that's what automation is for...

<< Sniping programs seem to work for folks, but who wants to give their ebaY ID and PW to someone to snipe for you. >>

Me, for one. I'm not so concerned about my eBay password. Yes, it'd be a hassle to unwind if it got hacked, but it's not nearly as crucial as my brokerage or bank account passwords.

<< The stand alone sniping programs are usually spyware that also report back to the makers your ID and PW. >>

You've got evidence of that? The standalone programs I've looked at were spyware-free, and did not communicate any information back home. That's rather their selling point -- you don't need to divulge your password to anyone.

<< When I am selling, obviously I hate snipers. >>

There's another name for snipers -- "bidders". What difference does it make to you, the seller, whether someone bids with six days to go, or six seconds to go? When I sell, I welcome all bidders.

<< With only a few seconds to spare, how can they enter their highest bid? >>

With a keyboard? Just a guess...

<< Most bidders are incremental bidders and even though they might be willing to pay $500, they can win with $400 because there was no bidding war to happen. >>

The number one reason I use a sniping service is to stay away from incremental bidders and out of bidding wars. Nothing worse than getting your early proxy nibbled away by an incremental bidder. >>

Point taken, Bob. You're obviously a better seller than I am. I'll just go cancel my ebaY account right now.

Jonathan

WoodenJefferson · October 5, 2006 6:19AM

"I never met a sniper I didn't like"

robertpr · October 5, 2006 6:27AM

There is no doubt sniping hurts final values realized on eBay. Any buyer who uses it as a strategy knows that. It's also a great reason to start auctions at 1¢ with no reserve, because it encourages bidding throughout the process.

Barry · October 5, 2006 6:28AM

I always try to snipe at the last minute.

Is there any other kind?

TavernTreasures · October 5, 2006 6:31AM

Sniping on Ebay. I wouldn't bid any other way!

fishcooker · October 5, 2006 7:32AM

There is no doubt sniping hurts final values realized on eBay.

Not true. Underbidders who fail to bid their maximum hurt final value fees.

And since everyone who bids early does so with their maximum bid, ebay always collects the maximum fees for any auction.

Cladiator · October 5, 2006 7:33AM

Sniping is fun. It gets the blood flowing and adds a whole new element to the excitement of the auction.

RYK · October 5, 2006 7:36AM

<< I always try to snipe at the last minute.

Is there any other kind? >>

Yes, I time my snipe for after the bidding is closed. That way, I do not get stuck with any coins that I would not bought if I saw them first in person.

robertpr · October 5, 2006 7:37AM

<< There is no doubt sniping hurts final values realized on eBay.

Not true. Underbidders who fail to bid their maximum hurt final value fees.

And since everyone who bids early does so with their maximum bid, ebay always collects the maximum fees for any auction. >>

Most people are stupid and do not bid their max on ebay. How many auctions have you seen where 2 or 3 bidders keep raising the price by 1 or 2 bucks at a time? How many $5.00 bids have you seen on coins worth $500, only to have the guy come back later and bid $120, then come back later on in the auction and win it for $450 or something?

labrams · October 5, 2006 7:39AM

Your header is "much of the time sniping is a silley, and losers, game."

You would be wrong. I use esnipe.com and I've been quite happy with it.

Jdurg · October 5, 2006 7:43AM

I only read that last paragraph in the article, and that little blurb of his sounds pretty sneaky and I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Basically, you find something you want and bid an insanely high bid on it. Then have a "buddy" place an even higher bid so that the shown price on the auction is stupidly high. This way no one else will bid. At the last minute, have your "buddy" retract his bid and you get the item for whatever the starting price was. Ouch!

ziggy29 · October 5, 2006 8:15AM

<< You would be wrong. I use esnipe.com and I've been quite happy with it. >>

I wouldn't be wrong. I was just quoting the text from a stupid article I don't agree with, that I thought the snipers here would get a kick out of.

fishcooker · October 5, 2006 8:40AM

Most people are stupid and do not bid their max on ebay.

Some would say that is not a problem with snipers.

MRK · October 5, 2006 8:41AM

I always snipe. I predetermine a sensible amount that I am willing to pay for an item. If the current bid is below my predetermined amount that I am willing to pay, I will try to snipe. If the current bid is higher than my predetermined amount, I let it go. I will not try to snipe anything by entering a ridiculous bid for an item in an attempt to win it. Experience has shown me that if I put in my maximum bid earlier on in the auction, bidding is guaranteed to go beyond what I'm willing to pay for an item.
I thought it was funny to see the auctions for sniping software right next to the seller's complaints against it.

Dog97 · October 5, 2006 8:45AM

Some of those eBay "guides" are hilarious!
<<< it sound sexy, clever, or macho, as in sniper rifle >>> Or snipe hunting. hahahahhaha Here snipe.. here snipe...come here snipe

flaminio · October 5, 2006 9:06AM

<< I only read that last paragraph in the article, and that little blurb of his sounds pretty sneaky and I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Basically, you find something you want and bid an insanely high bid on it. Then have a "buddy" place an even higher bid so that the shown price on the auction is stupidly high. This way no one else will bid. At the last minute, have your "buddy" retract his bid and you get the item for whatever the starting price was. Ouch! >>

It's a sneaky trick, but luckily it doesn't really work anymore. You are no longer permitted to retract a bid in the final 12 hours of an auction. While the "bid shielding" trick can still be used at 12 hours plus one minute to go, it is much less effective than it used to be.

Note also that it's always been a nasty thing to do, and would most likely result in NARUs being passed around than a seller coughing up a gold coin for 99 cents.

"...much of the time sniping is a silly, and losers, game."

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&quot;...much of the time sniping is a silly, and losers, game.&quot;

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"...much of the time sniping is a silly, and losers, game."