As a relatively new member of AS, I wanted to share a few thoughts and experiences to see what others think and/or have done.

I have been on eBay for a number of years and have won and lost my share of auctions; however, I have generally won most of the items that I really REALLY wanted. Only losing when, clearly, somebody was willing to pay more, or when the seller set a ridiculously high reserve price.

Long before I knew there was a name for it, much less knowing there were automated programs to assist me, I started 'sniping'; swooping in at the last possible moment to snatch up an item that I wanted...and not wishing to get involved in overly inflating final prices with ludicrous bidding wars.

So, now I've found AS...and I am the happiest camper around! I can win auctions in my sleep, I can win auctions when I'm away, and I can even occasionally win auctions from fellow-snipers...but I have found that I still enjoy the manual snipe from time to time.

There is just something about that adrenalin pumping, pulse racing, and shallow breathing that goes with trying to time that clicking 'submit' at just the right moment...and praying that eBay doesn't go into snooze mode! And then looking back at the bid history and seeing how many seconds you had to spare. [I nearly died the time I looked and saw that my bid went in with 1 second to spare...but realizing I beat another sniper who placed their bid with a 5 seconds lead was great!]

Anyway, this leads to my 'curiosity-question' about others' thoughts...do you all just sit back and 'leave the sniping to AS'? Or do you ever go out 'slumming' on your own anymore?

True, I rely on AS more and more...but if I have the time and the inclination, I'll go for a manual now and then.

WarriorNun

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning"

After using AS for a few weeks, I never went back to manual snipes.

I do an occasional manual snipe for auld lang syne. I never use manual snipes on anything that's really important, though. That's strictly AS territory.

AS is easy, reliable, and inexpensive, so I would rather put my energies into something else.

DO WHAT YOU DO BEST AND HIRE THE REST!

I agree that if it is something I really want, I do not hesitate to 'AS it' and I do not need to be sold on AS reliability. The only auctions I've lost since using AS were two where the sellers had reserves that were higher than I wished to pay, and one other where I was simply outbid. And that was through no fault of AS, or even eBay.

In all cases, I put my comfortable max bid in so that I have no regrets one way or another.

I don't recall if I've taken the time to mention this before...but I really do enjoy this forum! Thanks to all who post items of interest and those who take the time to respond! It is all quite informative!

WarriorNun

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning"

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Originally posted by WarriorNun:
I don't recall if I've taken the time to mention this before...but I really do enjoy this forum!

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Add a BIG Thank You from me also!

Although I mostly lurk on these boards (you do find an occasional post from me), I have learned a tremendous amount of information that has helped me become a very successful sniper.

The "newbie's" share just as much credit as the advice giver, if they hadn't asked the questions, we all may never have had the answers.


I seldom bid directly with eBay now, mostly just to knock out a Buy It Now option, and I win almost all the items that I really want, and mostly only lose on things that I'm trying to get "on the cheap".

AS RULES!!!




robert

quote:

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Originally posted by robert:
The "newbie's" share just as much credit as the advice giver, if they hadn't asked the questions, we all may never have had the answers.

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Something I had not thought of, but you are right. I guess diversity is a good thing. But how much "diversity" is "good"?