It IS a neat valuable feature, though. Maybe an example auction?:
Lets say there is a gizmo up for a 3 day auction. Minimum opening bid is $1. Paul wants the item really bad! He places a bid for $100. If you view the auction screen after Paul's bid, it will show Paul as currently winning the auction with a $1 bid.
Day 2, Steve views the gizmo auction, and he really wants it. He sees one other bidder (Paul) has bid on it and is winning with a $1 bid. Steve places a $10 bid. If you view the auction screen after Steve's bid, it will show there were 2 bids and PAUL as currently winning the auction with an $11 bid.
Still day 2, Steve sees he is outbid by proxy Paul), and places ANOTHER bid - $25. If you view the auction screen after Steve's 2nd bid, it will show there were 3 bids and PAUL as currently winning the auction with a $26 bid. Steve decides to do some ebay searches for more gizmos for cheaper.
Day 3 (final day), Andy Sniper views the gizmo he's always wanted. He notices the current winning bid is Paul's at $26. Andy decides to snipe the item and decides the maximum he is willing to pay for the item is $75 (which is nearly 3 times the current winning bid!). Andy sets his $75 snipe up to occur 10 secs before the end of the auction.
1 hour before auction end, Steve is back. He didn't find any other comparable gizmos, so he really wants this one. He notes Paul still holds the winning bid at $26. Steve places a bid (his 3rd in this auction) for $55. If you view the auction screen after Steve's 3rd bid, it will show there were 4 bids and PAUL as STILL winning the auction with a $56 bid. Steve smashes his keyboard and goes to bed.
30 minutes before the auction end, Andy Sniper checks the auction. He notes the winning bid is now up to $56 with Paul still the winning bidder. He decides his $75 is the MAX he is willing to pay and does not modify his bid.
11 secs before auction end, AS places Andy's snipe for $75. If you view the auction screen after Andy's sniped bid, it will show there were 5 bids and PAUL as STILL winning the auction with a $76 bid.
5 secs before auction end, Manuel "don't-have-a-life" Sniper notes the top bid has gone up from $56 to $76, still held by Paul. He frantically places his own bid for $86.55. If you view the auction screen 2 seconds after Andy's sniped bid, it will show (theoretically, if ebay can respond quick enough and your internet connection is FAST!) there were 6 bids and PAUL as STILL winning the auction with a $87.55 bid. Manuel sees his last minute rushed bid was not enough -- he lost the auction. He pops another upper and washes it down with some strong coffee.
Next day, Andy Sniper turns on his computer to see how his snipe went. He discovers that he was OUTBID BY PROXY. He notes the $87.55 winning bid and wonders why ANYONE would pay that much for a used gizmo when the local Wal-Mart sells the very same gizmo NEW for only $85!
NOTE: What Andy CAN'T know is that Paul had placed a $100 bid! Andy would've lost even if he had placed a $100 sniped bid (Ties go to the first bid placed, i.e. Paul)!!
Presuming you've waded through this long example explanation, you'll understand better how ebay proxy bidding and AS sniping works.
(Has no life because of LONG forum replies!)
Jabbergah
