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51 replies

Auction Sniper is a Worthless Piece of Carp

D dammadMember
I know this posting won't be on here long so read it while you can.
As an ebay seller I am not often a buyer but was asked to bid on an auction for a friend in the UK who was unable to bid. I was all set to bid on the item when I received a business call that would take me away from my computer at the time I needed to bid on the auction. I remembered that I had 3 free snipe bids coming to me from this site so I set up my bid snipe to bid up to $45. (maximum my friend would pay)on an item that was at $10.49 and a little while later left for my appointment. I felt safe thinking that Auction Sniper would carry out the bidding as instructed in my absence. Imagine my dismay when I just returned home and found that the bidding had ended at $10.49 and I was not the winner. I checked my email next and found a message from Auction Sniper saying it didn't bid because of invalid password. Why would this feeble A.S. system allow me to set up the snipe bid and show a green Ready light for 1/2 hour before I left. I think this is Totally Unacceptable. I will never use this junk again and will make sure and tell all my friends not to use it. I feel like raising the opening bid price on all my listed ebay items just to get back at anyone using Auction Sniper, but that's not fair to those buyers that are smart enough not to use this useless system. Maybe I'll just check with my power seller buddies to see if I can put the words "Auction Sniper Blows" on all my auctions. Well that's enough for now I have to formulate a letter to my friend in the UK
Original Post

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J jabbergahMember
...mad, so the last thing you want to hear from an AS support person that this is probably your fault! Oh yeah...I DON'T work for AS, so I'm SAYING IT! So why did you not give AS your correct Ebay user ID and password? If AS doesn't have that info, how do you expect it to sign-on to ebay & bid in your behalf?!

Go ahead and do all the stupid stuff you listed that you want to do if it makes you feel better and B U B - B Y E !

Jabbergah                                                    
S shirleyMember
Actually, wasn't there a similar post I read recently (or maybe it was in the archives -- Rick?) about a user whose snipes were being refused with a similar error message... in that case, it turned out to be because someone was trying to hack into his ebay account or log in with the wrong password (like an older auction-listing service), and ebay had set a second-level security arrangement in place. The user had to log in, then answer a security question, before he could access his account. Since AuctionSniper didn't know about the security question, there was no way it could get through to place the snipe.

Am I remembering that correctly? And if so, dam_mad, since you're a seller, could that be the case here?

I'm sorry you lost out on this auction. I think if you'll take a deep breath and try to look at this logically, instead of just being angry, you'll find that there's a logical explanation, and a lot of (usually - Roll Eyes) friendly people around who would like to help you find an explanation for your bad experience.

Unfortunately, coming on to the forums with a handle like "dam_mad" and flaming at everyone in sight is not exactly the best way to get a polite and helpful response.

Last edited {1}
D dammadMember
If it's my fault why did this antiquated site not detect an invalid password and not allow me access to bid. eBay will not allow me or anyone else to bid or enter sensitive areas with an incorrect password???
As for that ByeBye don't worry I'll never be back to this site, should've known "If you want something done right Do It Yourself. And I hope you make an inadvertant keystroke on your next log in and miss out on the biggest snipe of your lifetime.
J jabbergahMember
Shirley posted:
quote:
and a lot of (usually - ) friendly people
Hmmm...I resemble that remark!

Sorry. I lose patience with someone so presumptious to automatically think that if something goes wrong with a FIRST TIME use of a piece of software -- it's the software's fault, not possible that THEY did something wrong or incorrectly. The person came on so over-the-top, I think it unlikely they will be able to concede the software was not at fault -- major "losing face".

Jabbergah                                                    
bartelbybartelbyMember
Your $45 snipe was the biggest bid of your lifetime??? ack - aint gonna touch that!

AS doesnt access ebay until it places your bid, so there is no way it can know that YOU have given it the wrong id or password is there?

I must say I wouldnt want AS testing my ebay account to make sure I havent supplied the wrong information.

Yes - we understand that you are upset...but what are you suggesting AS do?? Maybe you could suggest something that would make sure it doesnt happen to anybody else.

Lexie

"If you read - you will judge!"
S shirleyMember
I'll break the news to anyone you like, Lexie!

(grin)

Sorry, but one of my best friends once had a virus on her computer. She was so embarrassed, she refused to tell anyone... as a result, everyone in her address book got it, too, and it took out a couple of servers...

I blame the Technology Crash of the late '90's on her...

J jabbergahMember
....oooooo! Escalation!

Dam-mad posted:
quote:
If it's my fault why did this antiquated site not detect an invalid password and not allow me access to bid.
Uh-oh, kinda sorta almost admitting it might NOT be AS's fault,...but it SHOULD be! Wink
quote:
As for that ByeBye don't worry I'll never be back to this site,
OK, have a nice life! Smile
quote:
should've known "If you want something done right Do It Yourself.
Yep! That's probably what your UK buddy is thinking! Too bad HE didn't have access to AS program. He might've taken the time to figure out how it works! Razz
quote:
And I hope you make an inadvertant keystroke on your next log in and miss out on the biggest snipe of your lifetime.
Ummmm....how to repond? Confused Oh nuts! Can't help but be childish! Razz Na-na na-na na na! Razz

Jabbergah                                                    
D dammadMember
Hey Bartelby
ExpertSniper,

No a $45 bid is not my bid of a lifetime. I was using the bid of a lifetime example for all of you using software that is incapable of requiring a correct login to access it. Have you ever logged in incorrectly? That's right, you wouldn't know until after the auction was over and your bid wasn't placed and I'm sure an ExpertSniper would never admit that. BTW I hope these posting names are your bidding names--will add to my BBL.
bartelbybartelbyMember
tck tck Jabber - you had your nasty pills this morning didnt you??

quote:
I can admit that I may have possibly made an error in a keystroke on log in and I am big enough and open enough to admit that. What I am saying is " why doesn't A.S. software verify that a login is correct or incorrect upon setting up a snipe instead of letting a user assume that they are ready to bid???


Firstly - you dont have to be big enough and open enough to admit that you were wrong....we all know that, BUT it is nice that you are admitting it Smile

Secondly - I would be interested to see Sara's response to your question and see if it can be made part of the setup procedure. When you first log into Turbo Lister - it does verify your user name and password before it lets you do anything else.

Glad you stuck around for a bit longer Smile

Lexie

"If you read - you will judge!"
bartelbybartelbyMember
Hmmm - starting to regret *trying* to be nice to this person!

Go ahead add Bartelby to your blocked bidder list Smile

Umm - no I havent EVER logged in incorrectly, I know my username and password AND AS has it on file - CORRECTLY!!

Jabber - Outta your corner and sickem!! LOL

Actually, I was trying to play nice but I think I will follow the others lead and say

BYE BYE Smile have a nice non-sniping ebay career, I am off to play in the pleasant threads

Lexie

"If you read - you will judge!"
Last edited {1}
J jabbergahMember
dam-mad, are you losingsleep???

quote:
I was using the bid of a lifetime example for all of you using software that is incapable of requiring a correct login to access it.
Ummmm.... WE don't seem to have a problem with that. We use it, like it, win with it -- what's your problem?
quote:
Have you ever logged in incorrectly? That's right, you wouldn't know until after the auction was over and your bid wasn't placed
Uh-oh, your ignorance about the AS program is showing. You only have to enter your ebay ID AND password correctly ONCE. After that, AS remembers it and uses it whenever it needs to sign on to ebay to place a bid in your behalf.
quote:
and I'm sure an ExpertSniper would never admit that.
Silly attempt at chain-rattling! Razz
quote:
BTW I hope these posting names are your bidding names--will add to my BBL.
Please, go right ahead! You're probably a pain-in-the-a$$ seller to deal with anyway! Razz What could you possibly have that you think we would want?? Confused

Oh yeah, I like how you assume you're the bid bad seller, and we are just lowly bidders/buyers. Most the replies you got so far are from ebayers that sell, too (including me!). So could you please provide YOUR ebay ID so we can block YOU from OUR auctions?!

Jabbergah                                                    
D dammadMember
Nasty Pills --no, just a dose of reality from a weak and very insecure system that doesn't verify log in. I'm staying around long enough to try to help so this doesn't happen again to someone else.
Do you mean to tell me that AS software is incapable of requiring access to log in to their site and then verify that log in is correct when setting up a snipe---and no I have no ask a secret question or security check set up for eBay. I just log in to access my auctions or bidding.
Their system will not allow me to think I'm signed in and proceed with bidding with me thinking I'm signed in until the end of auction. It will tell me at the beginning that there is a log in error.
D dammadMember
Hey Jabbergah
ProSniper

No I'm not losing any sleep I'm usually up late trying to help anyone I can. Obviously AS needs help--how secure can their system be when all your log in is stored w/them. If your an eBay seller too why wouldn't you know that you have to sign in and correctly I might add, to ebay each and every time you access. AS must be Real Secure if it has all your login info on file just waiting for some hacker to access. Hey maybe it's no wonder eBay has such a rash of NPBs.
Oh and BTW my Feedback Rating is at a perfect 100% w/no negative feedback and over 760 positives
S shirleyMember
That's funny, you know it wasn't that long ago that I logged on to AS for the first time.

As I remember it, it asked me for my ebay user name and password right up front, and I tested it by importing snipes from my Watched Bids list. Did you TEST the password you gave it before you placed your first snipe? It couldn't have seen your Watch list if it didn't have your name and password correct...

J jabbergahMember
dam_mad posted:
quote:
Nasty Pills
THOSE are MINE, thank-you-very-much! If you get a holt of 'em, you'll just over-dose on them again! Razz
quote:
I'm staying around long enough to try to help so this doesn't happen again to someone else.
So how could YOU possibly help anyone?!? Confused You only have an opinion as to how YOU think AS software should work, while WE know how it works, use it, win with it, etc.
quote:
Their system will not allow me to think I'm signed in and proceed with bidding with me thinking I'm signed in until the end of auction. It will tell me at the beginning that there is a log in error.
Ummmm....AS DID tell you with your first auction that you screwed up your sign in. Fix it, and you won't have to deal with this issue again.
quote:
No I'm not losing any sleep
Nevermind, inside comment you wouldn't understand unless you were a certain previous poster.
quote:
how secure can their system be when all your log in is stored w/them.
Secure enough for none of their users to have ever had their ebay info compromised.
quote:
If your an eBay seller too why wouldn't you know that you have to sign in and correctly I might add, to ebay each and every time you access.
Not a clue what that comment is supposed to mean! Confused
quote:
Oh and BTW my Feedback Rating is at a perfect 100% w/no negative feedback and over 760 positives
Yeah, yeah, yeah, says you! Prove it if you think we'll be properly impressed!

Jabbergah                                                    
D dammadMember
Shirley,

It was not the first time I looged in. Several weeks ago I saw AS listed on the description page of a fellow seller so I accessed the site to see what it was all about. I found it interesting and logged in to check out how it worked and set up several snipes on auctions of an item I wanted to purchase. The set price I put in to bid was exceeded on those so AS really did me nothing. I ended up manually bidding myself and purchased that item on a subsequent auction from the same seller. Anyway, when I was unexpectedly called away from bidding manually myself on this auction for a friend this evening I remembered the AS system and accessed the site by typing www.auctionsniper.com in the address bar. The site came up with the set up snipe right on the home page which I then filled out and had it prepared to do my bidding. After I got ready to meet w/clients I double checked the system by refreshing it. It said you have already placed a snipe for this auction. So I left my home feeling confident and secure that the auction bidding was handled.
So Yes I Am Here to Offer suggestions that will hopefully prevent this from happening. So AS:
Why no secure log in to access your site for setting up a snipe?
Why is there no login check system that verifies a login Id as a valid eBay Id and also compares it with a previously used name and password for your site at the time of setting up a snipe? It's a little late when the auction has ended to let a user know.
S shirleyMember
Mad, when you set up the snipes, did you do it by typing (or pasting) the auction number in to the form, or by importing the auction from your watch-list?

If it was the first method, then you gave AS all the info it needed to prepare the snipe, so it never had to access your ebay page, and so it never checked the passwords you entered against the ones ebay requires. You can argue that this is a fault that AS should correct, and maybe that suggestion has some merit. Safeguards against our own mistakes are something we take for granted these days, because so many things have them. Then again, there may be real, concrete, definite reasons why AS DOESN'T do that -- and in the end, isn't it our responsibility to enter our information accurately?

On the other hand, if you used the second method, then it sounds like the previous topic that Lexie (bartelby) linked to, where another user had a similar problem. In that case, it turned out that there was a problem on the ebay end of the transaction, and it wasn't AS's fault.

Either way, dam-mad, please understand that we're all here because we like AS, because we know that it *WORKS*, and because we want to help users who have problems or concerns about the service.

If your computer crashes and loses the document you were working on, which you hadn't saved, you don't throw it out the window and start a hate-mail campaign against Microsoft and IBM, do you? If your car's brakes failed because you forgot to check the fluids, you wouldn't put a torch to it and start cursing at Ford or Lexus or whoever made it, would you?

On those same lines, you had a problem with AS that you admit might have been caused by your mistake, and the only way that AS is at fault is that they didn't place enough safeguards against your own errors. I know you may be embarrassed, because you were trying to help a friend and you thought this was a sure thing. But please try to be reasonable, patient, and polite, and see that there's no conspiracy here to undermine you, and no one set out to take this win away from you.

By logging on to the forums with the handle "dam_mad" and starting off with a hateful, ranting post against this community of friends, you started off on the wrong foot. The people who are here to HELP you could see right away that the mistake was probably yours, but that you probably weren't going to be willing to listen to reason. Thus the replies you got were not exactly friendly.

I'm still fairly new here, so I still have a bit of patience, which I'm willing to spend to try to lower your blood pressure. Please don't disappoint me. Please be mature enough to see your mistake, and maybe we can discuss your suggestion for an enhancement to AS's service in a more civil tone.

Or maybe I'm just talking to myself...

D dammadMember
Shirley
SuperSniper,

You seem to want to listen, I am speaking to you because of that.
In answer to your question I cut and pasted the item # in. I understand that under the AS system my ebay did not have to be accessed because of this. What I am suggesting to make AS -which you all cherish so deeply- a better and more secure system are some log in checks and requirements as I've outlined earlier.
The reason I posted as dam_mad was to bring some attention to the inherent system problems that can't detect a possible keystroke error in sign in. I actually have 2 different selling Id.s a buying Id. and a posting Id. for eBay and dam_mad isn't any of them. If I log in incorrectly I know about it immediately.
Someone previously posted that AS told me on my first use that I logged in incorrectly. Yes and that was after the auction was completed. If I bid manually on eBay and do not log in correctly prior to bidding on an item they do not wait until auction end to tell me. An error code comes up immediately and I can not proceed until I have logged in correctly. If you would be so kind as to pass this suggestion along to AS maybe they would not only gain new users but also more revenue. If I understand their fee structure correctly it is based on 1% of item price won by the aid of their system. They make nothing if they can't verify a usable eBay log in until after an auction end. So why not a verifiable system that detects incorrect Id at the time when a snipe is set up. I would have been more than happy to correctly log in if I'd only known there was an error.
As for your other analogies: If my computer crashes I would write the company if I thought there was something I could tell them to help them with their cpu. If my car's brakes fail because I forgot to check the fluid I would investigate to find out where my crake fluid was going, and if I found a defective seal, line or other such cause you can bet that dam_mad would come out to notify them of a correctible flaw.
So Thank You for your time I know you'll be glad you won't see me here on these boards or this site again. Best of Luck to you All
S shirleyMember
Mad, thank you for being reasonable. I can appreciate your frustration, and I'm sure the AS support team will make a note of your suggestion.

But again, keep in mind that logging in to AS, logging in to eBay, and asking AS to log in to Ebay are three entirely different processes. If you log in to ebay or AS directly, they will immediately tell you if you've made an error. But the two systems (AS and eBay) are completely independant, and AS doesn't access eBay unless it has to.

I think it's a good suggestion that AS might want to verify the ebay login info they receive. In fact, it seems like a very easy, elementary, obvious thing for AS to check. Right? Which is exactly your point.

But (and please don't take offense at this) if it's that obvious, I have a hard time with the idea that AS has completely overlooked it. After all, like I said, just about every system we use verifies the data we enter in every way possible, to the point that we assume it's going to happen by now.

Because of this, I think it's more likely 1) that AS CAN'T verify the info on a whim, 2) that there's a specific reason why they DON'T, or 3) that they normally do, but there was a glitch this time. After all, if errors like yours get through very often, AS snipers lose auctions, which means that AS loses money.

And we can't know which of those options caused your problem until AS support answers the question.

Also, a tip for you. You know the old saying, "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? I've written a complaint letter or two in my time, and there's one very important thing I've learned -- diplomacy. If you phrase your complaint to (for example) the movie theater in an angry, confrontational manner that is designed to express your (possibly justified) outrage, you'll get your point across, but that's all. But if you express your disappointment, ask polite questions about what caused the problem, make helpful and constructive suggestions, and offer some sort of positive observation along with it, you may end up with free movie passes.

Just this week, I just got $50 deducted from my cell-phone bill, because I got confused by Sprint PCS's website and accidentally un-subscribed myself from one of their services. In a way, it was my fault, but I had a valid complaint, and by being polite, logical, and persistent, I was able to convince them to give me the credit.

I got the charges taken off my bill, the representative got a polite and complimentary thank-you note she can forward to her supervisor at performance-review time, and Sprint got to keep a customer. Who lost?

Have a good evening -- it's past my bedtime. G'night.

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