First Snipe Pending

Hi Tradertex - Welcome to the forum!

From the advice that I have received from some of the more experienced snipers here on the forum, an 8 second lead time for auctions ending on weekdays on times other than the quarter hour (Wednesday, 2:09pm for instance) is recommended.

For Sundays in general and auctions ending on the quarter hour (2:15pm, 2:30pm etc), a 15-20 second lead time is recommended due to heavier traffic on eBay.

These lead times ususally are enough time to place a bid unchallenged.
Providing you are the highest bidder and have met any reserve that may be required, you should be OK with these recommendations.

Best wishes!

Probably 95% of the snipes entered use 5 seconds because it's our default. It will probably be fine.

Just remember that there are two factors that work in concert to win an auction: bidding right near the end of an auction, and bidding a good price. Neither one is usually sufficient by themselves to win an auction, however counterintuitive that might sound.

The two mechanisms support each other, so remember that you can snipe an auction and still lose because you haven't bid a good price.

If you really want to win an auction, then price the item accordingly!

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Originally posted by Sniper Sara B.:
Probably 95% of the snipes entered use 5 seconds because it's our default. It will probably be fine.

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I'd follow bjt's advice and use 8 seconds.

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Originally posted by autophile:
Just remember that there are two factors that work in concert to win an auction: bidding right near the end of an auction, and bidding a good price. Neither one is usually sufficient by themselves to win an auction

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We're probably saying the same thing, but there's only one requirement to "win" an auction: at the close of the auction you are willing to pay more for the item then anyone else that is aware of the auction.

Well.Sara, you are more than likely right, but...just in case I end up in the 5% that didn't make it, I like 8 seconds(from my mentor,in long standing here, Steve)..still beats out the ones that try to snipe manually.

Has he been heard from lately?

Steve, are you out there? We miss you!

No, Chatter.He was on very briefly about a week or two ago and then gone again. I really DO miss his input.

rsmiller40

Mrs. M,

It's been longer then that. It's been almost 16 days.

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We're probably saying the same thing, but there's only one requirement to "win" an auction: at the close of the auction you are willing to pay more for the item then anyone else that is aware of the auction.

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Yes, but since people don't usually act rational especially when it comes to money, the price you're willing to pay will change many times over the course of the auction. Sure, technically you've won the auction if you paid twice as much as you should have. But did you get a GOOD price?

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Originally posted by autophile:

Yes, but since people don't usually act rational especially when it comes to money, the price you're willing to pay will change many times over the course of the auction. Sure, technically you've won the auction if you paid twice as much as you should have. But did you get a GOOD price?

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I disagree. IMHO, the price you are willing to pay should, ideally, NOT change many times over the course of an auction. The best way to snipe is to decide in advance how much you are willing to pay--the "this amount and not a penny more" price--set the snipe and let AS do the rest. If one keeps changing a snipe amount based on the current auction price, then one is exhibiting signs of nibbler behavior.

A "good price" is subjective. What I consider a good price, you may not, and vice-versa. The frequency that the item appears on eBay is certainly a factor, but my sentimentality or fondness for a particular type of item may cause me to place a larger snipe than you, because your personal interest is not as intense for that item as is mine. It may remind me of my grandparents and therefore I would pay $50 for an item you would never pay more than $20 for.

Decide your max and stick with it, regardless of whether there are zero or a hundred bids! That is what I say!

I believe that the vast majority of humans think of themselves as being rational, open-minded, and having a good sense of humor. I also believe that they don't think that about the vast majority of the rest of their species.