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19 replies

Bug with AuctionSniper which needs fixing - eBay seller can completely change listing

J jokeaneMember
I've just run into a pretty serious problem which the AuctionSniper support staff refuses to acknowledge as a 'bug'. I'll relate a short version of the story, if anyone wants the complete details, I can post that as well. I'm a long time AuctionSniper user (well over 5 years) and up until now, I've been happy with their product and support.

A few days ago, I placed a snipe on an item. This morning, when I saw the email message that I had won the auction, I took a look at my snipe area at the 'won' snipes. Yup it showed the item I expected to see - same picture and title. I clicked on the item link, and to my surprise a completely different item was shown.

Long story short, after contacting eBay support, the seller had 'changed the auction listing description' yesterday - since there were no bids, he is allowed to do this. But the change in description completely change the item to something totally different. As far as eBay is concerned, I am obligated to buy the item since my bid was placed after the description was changed.

AuctionSniper claims that this isn't their fault and takes no responsibility at all for the problem. AuctionSniper's only support advise was to plead my case with the seller asking them to cancel the sale. The seller is under no obligation to do so by eBay's terms, and if I don't pay, I'm going to be stuck with bad feedback. AuctionSniper says they will refund the snipe fee only if I copy them on the confirmation that the auction sale was canceled.

Hopefully I will be able to sort this out with the seller, so far they haven't answered by messages. But I think this is pretty serious problem w/ AuctionSniper. IMHO, AuctionSniper needs to consider offering a check that the title of the listing hasn't significantly changed before placing the bid.

Otherwise you too may find you bought a snowblower when you were bidding on a minibike, or vice-versa.
Original Post

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rickrickMember
quote:
And the only reason I am, is that AuctionSniper doesn't verify (or offer to verify) that the listing has not significantly changed from the time I placed my snipe.
Wrong. The ONLY reason you’re the buyer is that you didn’t check to see if the listing had changed, significantly or minorly. Seller changed it – ebay allows it – you didn’t catch it; so no one else to blame but AS, unless you think I had something to do with it? After all, I might have been on the internet the same time you were.

Apparently you think AS should have protected you from doing something you shouldn’t do – basically protecting you from you. AS should get substantially more than 1% for that. This type of buck-passing explains all the warning labels on a two-step ladder.
rickrickMember
quote:
Apparently you work for AuctionSniper.
So, using your logic, apparently you work for eBay, or perhaps the seller?
quote:
Any reasonable customer would be just as surprised and unhappy as I was.
We’re both customers, but can’t say the same about “reasonable”.
quote:
So in your opinion, everyone should carefully manually monitor all AS snipes to make sure the listing wasn't changed while they weren't looking.
“Carefully”? You only need to look at the listing ONCE in the last 24 hours, IF there’s been no bids.
quote:
Perhaps I should constantly monitor the auction listing on eBay at all times?
“Constantly”? Again, you only need to look at the listing ONCE in the last 24 hours, IF there’s been no bids. Anyone ever tell you that exaggerating comes easy for you?
quote:
I'm not asking for "Rocket Science" here.
You’re asking for something that AS doesn’t provide, as a quick glance at the help text would have shown you.
quote:
I'm just pointing out a failure in the current system, and suggesting that AS offer a fix.
It ain’t a “failure” on AS’ part, but a user error. But, you’re right that something needs to be “fixed”.
quote:
Seems like it would save AS a lot of unhappy customers.
“Lot”? I can only remember one other time someone commented about this on the forum. I think their user ID was Always_blame_someone_else.
quote:
Apparently well reasoned bug/problem reports are treated as flames in the forum.
“Well reasoned”? “Bug”? It’s neither.

If you MUST blame someone, then why not the seller? Why would the seller change the listing from a trail bike to a lawnmower on the last day? Why would eBay allow it? If you MUST blame someone, why not blame them?
rickrickMember
quote:
but you are acting as if there is no problem.
“Acting”? I’m not “acting”. It’s real - it isn’t a problem.
quote:
not every user of eBay /AuctionSniper is going to be able to keep up on every detail of the continuously changing terms of service for eBay
“Continuously changing”?
quote:
AS is an automated service, so people expect it to be automated... not something which requires monitoring.
The service is call Auction Sniper, not Auction Significant Change Checker.
quote:
But don't blame your users for a issue/problem with your software.
“Your”? “Your”?
quote:
Listen to your users and you will prosper.
“Your”? It’s funny (simplistic) that there are those that automatically assume that if someone disagrees with them then that someone must be an employee.

Not only given to exaggerating, but given to wild assumptions.
rickrickMember
Appears jokeane left and took her posts with her. Couldn't delete the thread-starting post. Don’t you just hate it when software doesn’t do what you want it to? Somewhat like that auction, in that it won't let you delete it after someone has posted, or change the auction after someone has placed a bid.
rickrickMember
quote:
Originally posted by jokeane:
Rick...

Good luck with your hobby of attacking people in online forums.
“Luck” has nothing to do with it. It’s a skill.

quote:
Originally posted by jokeane:
I hope it makes you happy when you make others unhappy.
“MAKE others unhappy”? Boy, you can’t even take responsibility for your own feelings?

quote:
Originally posted by jokeane:
I'm sure AuctionSniper also appreciates losing long standing customers due to your 'help'.
You’re unhappy with a customer so you take it out on the company? I suppose if some Democratic voter “made” you unhappy, you’d switch to the Republicans?

I know – I know. It was all my fault that you deleted your previous posts.
region2region2Member
Hmmm - that is a downside of AS but not one that can be 'fixed' easily. If no-one bids between start and the snipe then the description can be changed by the seller. Snipers beware!

Here's a scam - advertise an item that usually attracts snipes and, if no bids arrive, change the description to be something really cheap. Voila - huge profits! Maybe there could be a tool called Auction Changer that blocks all bids until the last minutes and then unblocks all bidders for that user and changes the description to something worthless? Brilliant!

R2
cameracameraMember
If I remember it correctly, there was a distinct impression created here that you had emerged from some obscure planet within the Small Magellanic Cloud just to torment spinsters of a certain age.

I didn't believe a word of it - I had read your "bon mots" about R2 and knew that they had it 100% wrong

Paul

P.S. Seen any of the spinsters on here of late?
cameracameraMember
Not really, just more time at home as I am undergoing "chemo" and can't go to work!

Sorry to hear you're not having much luck with either the spinsters of the parish or R2.

All the best in whatever institution you are still incarcerated within (another of the rumours fed to me as the "absolute gospel truth" a few years back!)

Paul
cameracameraMember
So the bit about transportation to Australia via the Cape was not true either?

Not many "newbies" around to abuse these days are there?

I remember when they came in droves to slaughter - now an occasional one wanders in gets his head bitten off and never re-appears. Not much fun in abuse these days - pity, my life could do with a bit of excitement!


Tally Ho!


Paul

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