Has anyone

Several people have and most come back and say AS is the best...they ARE #1!

It seems that AS does get a better rating, but then, the staff and the forum members are bias. If you want more objectivity, you might search around Internet for some discussions, or perhaps ebay’s forums.

One good test would be to compare performance during ebay’s prime time (Sunday evenings). There has been snipes reported, on this forum, that have been placed 40 or 50 seconds earlier than request, and there has been some snipers that have experienced retaliatory snipes (multiple manual snipes placed in response to these premature snipes). I can provide links to those threads if you are interested in additional reading.

Overall, I think AS gets good marks. Their customer support, at times, leaves something to be desired, both thru their direct support and here on the forum. If ebay changes something, which prevents snipes from being placed, AS, for the most part, is fairly quick to respond.

In the area of enhancements, they seem somewhat reluctant, or perhaps it would be better to say, not aggressive, in making changes. But, then there’s something to be said for leaving things alone.

And, you might want to read the following (especially "No one can match our reliability" in the first link):
http://www.auctionsniper.com/products.aspx
http://www.auctionsniper.com/TipsSheet.aspx

Happy sniping.

P.S. The minimum lead-time that AS supports is 3 seconds, which I personally don't feel is a drawback, but some do.

quote:

If you want more objectivity, you might search around Internet for some discussions, or perhaps ebay’s forums.

2 other sites removed their forums. Too many complaints about missed snipes I guess.

Example of a comment left just yesterday from a person signing up as to how they found our site: "I have been having trouble with ******* ******* so I am shopping. "

Hi,

I have tried other services and I reluctantly report that AS works best. The other services are more complex to use.
The recurring problem with AS is the placing of snipes earlier than the bidder (paying customer) has set. This would not be a problem if AS would just have the good sense to state it up front but you have to come here to find out why this happens. The best solution would be to let the bidder override all AS adjustments if one chooses to take a chance on a bid not being placed in time. That would be my choice.

The other problem witrh AS is the tone and rudeness, and now censorship, that you encounter when you do show up here for an answer.
Finally,

There is one good thing about the other services I have tried and their support: so far no one has come up with that idiotic refrain: "it is not the last bid that wins but the highest bid". That, by itself, is a big plus.

SGM

quote:

Originally posted by letitflyantiques:

There is one good thing about the other services I have tried and their support: so far no one has come up with that idiotic refrain: "it is not the last bid that wins but the highest bid". That, by itself, is a big plus.

SGM

Support, or general users?

You may call it idiotic, but you would be surprised how many *paying customers* that little gem has helped.

Alot of new users think that if their snipe goes in at 5 seconds, it doesnt matter that someone else had a proxy in for $100 more.

Therefor...a simple explanation regarding its the highest bid not the last bid...is often more than enough to assist them with their concerns/confusion.

Yes Yes, of course its the highest bid that wins everytime.

I personally wouldnt advise someone to use a 3-4 second lead time, but I wouldnt call it idiotic

Back to the OP.....

From mostly an unbias member....I have tried 2 other sniping services and have come back to AS.

Mostly because of their reliability. I dont say they are perfect as nobdy is, but I have had alot more success with AS, than trialling other services (I gave the other services 1 month each).

Downsides... the forum (like any other) has its ups and downs....there are people here from different corners of the world that, of course, have differing of opinions and it can get snakey at times....but we all keep coming back, so it must have its good points

C'mon, you don't really expect me to believe that there are people running around loose that actually think that auctions are based on yelling out the last, not the highest, bid? Now that is a scary thought. I have yet to meet anyone that thought the last bid, not the highest, will win in eBay or any other auction. That little "gem" is inane and needs to be put to rest.

hey lefty - give B some credit - she has been on the forums a lot longer than you (or even I) and you'd be surprised how many newbies think that AS bids last therefore they WILL win.

Hence the somewhat intelligent refrain "it's not the last posting on the forums that makes sense, it's the most sensible!"

ciao!

R2

Hey,

that was going to be my last posting here.

How do these new ones figure out how to turn on their computers if they think an auctioneer is going to take $2 rather than $20000 just because it was the last bid place?

As I see it, the problem is a simple one - "fixed" opinions!

I don't know why it is, or what drives them. They come to a conclusion (generally wrong) post a highly combatitive email, abuse AS & all its works and when told they have come to an incorrect conclusion, flounce off shouting that the people who post here are paid "lackeys" of AS.

Though Rick and I rarely see eye to eye, his replies to technical questions are always a model of correctness. He does not get paid. Neither does Mrs M, Chatter, Region 2, Aussie_Girl, Mike from Yorkshire or Jabber.
They simply reply because they are kind people giving others the benefit of their expertise.

The reluctance to accept the truth is evidence, in my eyes at least, of the "Mad Mullah" syndrome. People become fanatical about their beliefs. Anybody who says "but there may not be 500 handmaidens in paradise waiting to welcome you" is abused as an infidel!

Look at the facts:
None of us posting on here:
1. Own ebay
2. Make its rules
3. Own AS
4. Make its rules
5. Are employed by the AS forum
6. Related to Sara B who is, it must be said, employed by AS to act as whipping boy! (ancient English expression applied to either sex!)

Clear enough?

Right then
1. Ebay is an auction
2. Unique to the internet
3. In one respect only
4. Bidding is over an extended period
5. But functions like any conventional auction
6. Ebay & AS can hold a bid for you if you are absent (A Proxy Bid)

Whats that?
1. You enter the auction room
2. See the goods
3. Value the goods
4. Leave a bid either
a) With the auctioneer (as in leave it with ebay)
or b) Leave it with a friend (in this case AS!)

Who wins?
1. The bid left with the auctioneer?
2. The bid left with your friend?
3. The man or woman in the auction room?

Answer?

Well I don't need to tell you that - it certainly isn't the one who is in the auction room rasing his hand as the auctioneer says "going going ..."

unless ....... you got it!

He can OUTBID the amount on the slip of paper the auctioneer holds in his hand (remembering that the AS representative has just slipped him another piece of paper with a bid on it!)

So why the abuse? Why the anger? Try saying quietly to yourself.
1. I am immature
2. I am ignorant
3. I am incapable of accepting rational argument
4. I have a "bee in my bonnet"
5. I hate capitalism
6. I think AS is getting rich on my money
7. I can appear very big if I write in CAPITALS
8. I always know best
9. Like the Pope, I have the gift of infalability!

Most people coming and posting here seem to have one or more of these problems. Very, very rarely do you get somebody saying after the question posed has been answered say "thanks very much, now I understand"

Most just storm off shouting "PIGS, SWINE, LACKEYS, I have a divine right to bid .00004 seconds before the auction ends!"

It doesn't matter that AS has decided that it knows best about bid timing (FACT - it does, because on a single Sunday evening it places more bids than you do in a lifetime!)

Can people accept that?

Of course not - come and have an abusive rant here, invoke every insult they can think of and then disappear forever. So I am going to shorten the process.

Next time, somebody posts an insulting or rude message in CAPITALS, I am going to say "Bugger off!" as soon as they post! That will save a lot of kind people's time!

Next time somebody comes here and still argues the toss after reading the thread(s) Rick has pointed him at, I am going to say "Now Get stuffed, you ungrateful brat!"

And the next time somebody says "Why can't I force AS to let me bid on a Sunday evening at 1.78 secs before the auction closes I am going to "&*%$££** *&&%$$" them! (censored in deference to Sarah B's feelings)

Me Grumpy? Not true, I'm all sweetness and light! Honest!

Paul

LMAO!!! Think I'll copy and save that!!!

Whoa! And that was even the EDITED copy! I wonder how it read before Paul had a chance to cool off and soften some of the points?!? LOL!

Paul,

get a grip.
If everything always worked perfectly and AS was perfect, then there would be no need for forums. Forums exist to comment, complain, compliment or whatever.

All I (An occasional heavy AS user and well aware of how all auctions work as I have been going to auctions decades before eBay existed) have ever requested was to simply be able to set my bids when I wish and to accept the consequences if they do not get placed. The early placing of bids is the most common complaint so it would seem simple to let the customers simply set their bid time and live with it. I was very happy and successful at 2 seconds though I did get some failed bids due to time running out. But it was my decision.
I don't see how that qualifies for your ranting but it was fun to read it.

Steve

quote:

Well I don't need to tell you that - it certainly isn't the one who is in the auction room rasing his hand as the auctioneer says "going going ..."

unless ....... you got it!

You have obviously never attended a live auction. The auctioneer will always announce a left bid and will state clearly when the auction has begun bidding on behalf of an absentee bidder. The auctioneer bids and then the live bidder has a chance to raise it until the left bid is defeated or the live bidder concedes.
I cannot count the thousands or so auctions I have never seen an auction end with the auctioneer bidding without the live bidder having a chance to raise it. If the live bidder's hand is up, the auctioneer has to continue taking the bids. Nothing gets sold to a "slip of paper" if the floor is bidding.
The obvious difference is tha eBay auctions end even if buyers are trying furiously to bid and a live auction continues until all but one bidder concedes. That is why AS is so useful, it gets in the bids at the very end. Personally, I would prefer mine to go in at the absolute last second.

You mean we don't get paid in cash for this?

quote:

Originally posted by Jabbergah:
Whoa! And that was even the EDITED copy! I wonder how it read before Paul had a chance to cool off and soften some of the points?!? LOL!

I wouldn’t do this for, or to, just ANYONE.

---

Before:
They simple reply because they are kind people giving others the benefit of their knowledge.
After:
They simply reply because they are kind people giving others the benefit of their expertise.



Before:
The reluctance to accept the truth is evidence, in my eyes at least of the "Mad Mullah" syndrome.
After:
The reluctance to accept the truth is evidence, in my eyes at least, of the "Mad Mullah" syndrome.



Before:
6. Related (God forbid!)to Sara B who is employed by AS
After:
6. Related to Sara B who is, it must be said, employed by AS to act as whipping boy! (ancient English expression applied to either sex!)



Before:
6. AS functions as a "proxy bidder"
After:
6. Ebay & AS can hold a bid for you if you are absent (A Proxy Bid)



Before:
Well I don't need to tell you that - it certainly isn't the one who is in the auction room rasing his hand as the auctioneer says "going going ..." unless ....... you got it! He can outbid the amount on the slip of paper the auctioneer holds in his hand (remembering always that the AS representative has just slipped the auctioneer another piece of paper with another bid on it!)
After:
Well I don't need to tell you that - it certainly isn't the one who is in the auction room rasing his hand as the auctioneer says "going going ..."

unless ....... you got it!

He can OUTBID the amount on the slip of paper the auctioneer holds in his hand (remembering that the AS representative has just slipped him another piece of paper with a bid on it!)



Before:
6. I think AS are getting rich on my behalf
After:
6. I think AS is getting rich on my money



Before:
8. I think I always know best
After:
8. I always know best



Before:
Very, very rarely do you get somebody saying after the question set has been answered say "thanks very much, now I understand"
After:
Very, very rarely do you get somebody saying after the question posed has been answered say "thanks very much, now I understand"



Before:
Most just storm off shouting "PIGS, SWINE, LACKEYS, I have a divine right to bid .0000478 seconds before the auction ends!"
After:
Most just storm off shouting "PIGS, SWINE, LACKEYS, I have a divine right to bid .00004 seconds before the auction ends!"



Before:
It doesn't matter that AS has decided that it knows best about bid timing (it probably does, because on a single Sunday evening it places more bids than you do in a lifetime!)
After:
It doesn't matter that AS has decided that it knows best about bid timing (FACT - it does, because on a single Sunday evening it places more bids than you do in a lifetime!)



Before:
Next time, somebody does that I am going to say "Bugger off!" as soon as they post!
After:
Next time, somebody posts an insulting or rude message in CAPITALS, I am going to say "Bugger off!" as soon as they post! That will save a lot of kind people's time!



Before:
Next time somebody comes here and still argues the toss after reading the thread Rick has pointed him at, I am going to say "Get a life"
After:
Next time somebody comes here and still argues the toss after reading the thread(s) Rick has pointed him at, I am going to say "Now Get stuffed, you ungrateful brat!"



Before:
And the next time somebody says "Why can't I force AS to let me bid on a Sunday evening at 1.78 secs I am going to "&*%$££** *&&%$$" them!(censored in deference to Sarah B")
After:
And the next time somebody says "Why can't I force AS to let me bid on a Sunday evening at 1.78 secs before the auction closes I am going to "&*%$££** *&&%$$" them! (censored in deference to Sarah B's feelings)



Before:
Me Grumpy? Not true, I'm all sweetness and light!
After:
Me Grumpy? Not true, I'm all sweetness and light! Honest!



Before:

After:
Paul

---

Jabber, I hope that helps, but I don’t see any real differences.

quote:

"fixed" opinions!

Isn’t that redundant.

quote:

Though Rick and I rarely see eye to eye

Not sure how to respond to that. If I say I agree with it, then that might tend to change the “rarely” to “sometimes”.

quote:

flounce off shouting that the people who post here are paid "lackeys" of AS.

I think it would do “some” good to get rid of those g.d. status titles on this forum. The “sniper” should be removed, and a much simpler breakdown adopted. “Forum Beginner” (I hate “newbie”) and “Forum Member” would be nice. I’d suggest “Just Another F’in Member”, but I don’t think it would fly.

quote:

Neither does Mrs M, Chatter, Region 2, Aussie_Girl, Mike from Yorkshire or Jabber.

I know you wanted to include Lexie and Shop.

quote:

Most people coming and posting here seem to have one or more of these problems. Very, very rarely do you get somebody saying after the question posed has been answered say "thanks very much, now I understand"

Excellent - I can get back to disagreeing with Camera. I see just the opposite. I think most people that come to this forum appreciate the help, and are very pleasant, and a lot of them DO say thanks.

quote:

So I am going to shorten the process.

Next time, somebody posts an insulting or rude message in CAPITALS, I am going to say "Bugger off!" as soon as they post! That will save a lot of kind people's time!

I don’t see that as shortening the process, but aggravating it. A Rude for a Rude?



Happy Sniping

What is the CAPITALS all about?

As for lead times, mine is still at 2 seconds. I had not noticed. Maybe AS places it at 4 seconds but it says 2 when I place the snipe.

G'night.
steve

Hey - the debating level is getting back to old times!

Come on now, Rick, even you must concede all I did tidy up a few loose ends, typos & poorly expressed rantings.

So I take that as 82% agreement then!

Mrs M would you like a frame to go with my "pearls of wisdom" ? (please note I didn't say "cast before swine!" I would not be so rude!)

Jabber, that was me being my "measured" best! You should see me when you get my "dander up" - especially with the guy who has stolen my parking slot!

Let it fly - that wasn't generally directed at you, just at those who come, rant in ALL CAPS and depart into the outer darkness whence they came!

Mind you, your curiously "topsy turvey" logic does mark you out as a "shilling short of a pound" in my humble view!

Precis of your logic:

"I would rather lose the auction and have a missed bid than countenance AS daring, in the light of all their experience, to bid ahead of time on a crowded super highway!"

Ah well, the only logical explanation is that you too believe in the turtle and the elephants!
Something to be said for that - prevents you venturing too far out into the seven seas for fearing you would slip over the edge!

(Steve, I'm afraid you'll have to accept we are a rude lot, but it got kinda out of hand and we all became too rude and we have all had a enforced cooling off period

I didn't intend to leave you out Lexie! Mind you, when Lexie next breezes in, you'll know what rude is when she hears that!

As to Shop, last I heard of him was in the Summer of 2005. Does he still post? Last I heard someone accused him of not being a retired baker from Kansas City and not the test pilot he claimed to be! (Sorry Shop, perhaps I didn't get that quite right!)

R2 will doubtless reply to this diatribe next with one of his super long and tortuous postings!

Talking about AS. TOTAL & UTTER INEFFICIENCY is the order of their day. why did they lose my snipe completely two nights ago? Here's me bidding on this extremely rare and costly (99p) camera and not only no bid, but no sign of it in any one of my folders either - gone - just like `that. I probably lost the chance to make a 100% profit on the deal!

Damn cold here in West Wales - about to snow - have had to scour the house for furniture to burn in the grate. Can't get any more coal in the bath!

Paul

P.S Let it fly, you don't want to buy a genuine Edwardian Mahogany Chest of Drawers that is now surplus to requirements? No? Oh well, only asking!

Tis just me, day late and dollar short as usual.

quote:

As to Shop, last I heard of him was in the Summer of 2005. Does he still post? Last I heard someone accused him of not being a retired baker from Kansas City and not the test pilot he claimed to be! (Sorry Shop, perhaps I didn't get that quite right!)

• “Him” is a “Her”.
  
• Prior post to today’s was Nov. 11th.
  
• Her husband is the baker.
  
• Nevada hasn’t closed the deal on Kansas City yet.
  
• She only told pilots how to land close enough to test the brothels.

Other than that (help me Shop if I missed anything), everything is cool.

Oh where to start....

quote:

Though Rick and I rarely see eye to eye, his replies to technical questions are always a model of correctness. He does not get paid. Neither does Mrs M, Chatter, Region 2, Aussie_Girl, Mike from Yorkshire or Jabber.

Are they in order of *helpfulness*??

Cant believe I didnt make *the* list, I am always on the list.

I know where you live Camera!!

quote:

As to Shop, last I heard of him was in the Summer of 2005. Does he still post? Last I heard someone accused him of not being a retired baker from Kansas City and not the test pilot he claimed to be! (Sorry Shop, perhaps I didn't get that quite right!)

Geez Camera - I am starting you worry about you. You seem to get your genders all mixed up (not touching on the other *wrongs*).

Me...rude?? Naw...just Misunderstood

Hello,

Back to the eternal question: lead times.

has AS alway ignored the customer set lead time and "adjusted" the time when the snipe is placed?
Mine is set at 3 seconds but in a brief review of my lost auctions, most are placed at 6 - 8 seconds and apparently much earlier in some cases. I am suddenly losing auctions at a greater frequency than before, it seems. Some I am way overbid but is maky cases it seems I am outbid by pennies a couple of seconds before the auction ends.

What is my question? I forgot. I guess I want to know if my 2 - 3 second lead time has always been a delusion and my bids have always been placed earlier.

Steve

Now I remember,

Why does AS bother with letting a customer set a lead time that will just be ignored?

This seems to be the hottest issue going so why not just do away with the pretense of controlling your snipe and just state plainly the AS will decide when to place your bid?

Steve

PS: "Not the ...last bid..the highest..wins" does not constitute a meaningful response.

quote:

Originally posted by letitflyantiques:
Mine is set at 3 seconds but in a brief review of my lost auctions, most are placed at 6 - 8 seconds and apparently much earlier in some cases. I am suddenly losing auctions at a greater frequency than before, it seems. Some I am way overbid but is maky cases it seems I am outbid by pennies a couple of seconds before the auction ends.

Hi Steve,

Are these your recent auctions?
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidItems&user...00&completed=1&all=1

If yes, and time permits, I'll see if I can come up with something, or maybe another user will see if they can be of assistance.


Thanks,

Rick

Hi Rick,

damn, I bid on too much stuff.
That is some of them, the German ones particularly. In the coin auctions I am the way low bidder.

Unfortunately, I think the ones I am most curious about are AS "Bid too low" so I don't think they show up on my eBay "Not Won" list.

One example is 7368907637. I had a three second snipe at 11.00. I can't tell what happened. To really complicate matters, most German auctions have concealed bidders. The one thing I am sure of is that I am having snipes place at 8 seconds and losing auctions by a few pennies by bids that came in in the last couple of seconds. Perhaps these are proxies that would have beat me regardless of when my bid was executed.

Thanks for your interest, Rick, but please don't spend a lot of time on it.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by letitflyantiques:
Unfortunately, I think the ones I am most curious about are AS "Bid too low" so I don't think they show up on my eBay "Not Won" list.

Hi Steve,

Less lead-time wouldn’t have made any difference in “Bid too low” cases, unless I’m missing something. If the bid was low at 8 seconds, it would have been low at 3. As Smart points out, the only thing that might (that’s a very slight might) help in these cases would be to get the snipe in earlier.

quote:

Originally posted by letitflyantiques:
One example is 7368907637. I had a three second snipe at 11.00. I can't tell what happened. To really complicate matters, most German auctions have concealed bidders.

(I don’t speak, or read, German, so this may be all screw up) This auction ended at 23:39:16 MEZ. At 18:58:13 MEZ (4.5 hours before the end) someone (private auction) placed a proxy bid of at least 11.03 (looks like this auction is in U.S. $’s?). Since 11.03 is .50 (a bid increment) more than the second highest bidder, there’s no way of knowing what the high bidder’s actual bid was. Since your bid was too low, there’s also no way of knowing “when” AS tried to place your snipe, as ebay refused to accept it, so it doesn’t appear on the bid history.

quote:

Originally posted by letitflyantiques:
The one thing I am sure of is that I am having snipes place at 8 seconds and losing auctions by a few pennies by bids that came in in the last couple of seconds. Perhaps these are proxies that would have beat me regardless of when my bid was executed.

If you can supply some more auction numbers, maybe someone can spot something.

One word of caution on sniping German auctions:
http://www.auctionsniper.com/faqebay.aspx#faq_12a_lbl

Hope this helps,
Rick

quote:

Hi Steve,

Less lead-time wouldn’t have made any difference in “Bid too low” cases, unless I’m missing something. If the bid was low at 8 seconds, it would have been low at 3. As Smart points out, the only thing that might (that’s a very slight might) help in these cases would be to get the snipe in earlier

Hi Rick,
I guess I am back to part 2 of the eternal argument. My concern is that if my bids are placed at 8 - 12 seconds, rather than at the 3 I stipulate, an alert and ready manual bidder has time to place another bid. I know that most people here say it is impossible to place a last second bid but I am very successful at doing so when I deem it worhtwhile.
IU don't think I can really figure that all out.
In the future I will just bid a little higher and hope my bids aren't delayed by AS.

Just wish they would state it up front.

As for bidding in German and European ebays, it is strictly for the risk takers. The European sellers often hide their feedback and bidders, most want cash via registered mail or expensive bank transfers. Euro sellers do not seem as concerned abot getting a negative as a lot have only 96 - 98% positives. I have had several "lost" payments and packages.

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Smart:

quote:

Place your bid exactly when you want …

The above from the AS home page, their italics!!!

Smart,

You missed this: http://www.auctionsniper.com/images/en/name.gif
Since they don’t allow 1 second snipes, that’s not TOTALLY accurate.

quote:

Originally posted by letitflyantiques:
Just wish they would state it up front.

Steve,

No disagreement. I think they SHOULD, at least, put a stronger version of it in their FAQ’s. These are from their FAQ’s:
http://www.auctionsniper.com/faqbasics.aspx#faq_13a_lbl
http://www.auctionsniper.com/faqbasics.aspx#faq_16a_lbl
Now, it does say, “We snipe every auction multiple times, from multiple servers and locations. These servers adjust for eBay server lag according to how long their average server is taking.” But, I haven’t found a spot where they specifically say the snipe can be placed much earlier. Maybe here would be a good place:
http://www.auctionsniper.com/risks.aspx

But, let’s look at this slightly different. A certain amount of adjustment is necessary (I’d make that a question, but I think most will agree with that). If it’s taking 4 seconds to place a bid with ebay, trying to place it 4 seconds before the end of the auction won’t cut it. To get the snipe in 4 seconds BEFORE the end, the snipe would need to be place 8 seconds before.

Then there’s the dicey question as to HOW to determine what the response time is? AS won’t talk about how they determine ebay’s response time (I don’t blame them), but I’ve tried to come up methods (perhaps someone else can come up with other techniques?). Maybe they adjust the snipe base on the response time of some other user’s previous, or the latest, snipe that AS placed – pretty iffy, as there could be too much, or too little, time in-between.

Another method might be to place a dummy snipe (assuming ebay wouldn’t get upset) with a too-low-bid amount at some predetermined time before auction end and measure response time. Some problems there: 1) There may be a different processing time to handle an error than to actually place the bid. But, lets say that could be figured out some way; 2) WHEN do you place the dummy snipe?

To do this right (not just placing a dummy snipe, but any technique), AS has to come up with some sampling time in advance of the worse case, so as to allow it time to place a snipe in that worse case. Well, lets say that’s 3 minutes (it’s probably higher) before the end of the auction. So, at the 3-minute mark they check (somehow) and they find things are going slow on ebay (maybe 20 seconds; maybe more; maybe less). Do they wait and recheck closer to the auction end and risk response time being even worse? Does their experience provide evidence that when bids are taking 10, or 15, or 20 seconds to place, that it won’t be much longer before it takes 60 seconds? Lets say everything is hunky-dory at the 1-minute mark, but at the 10-second mark it turns to dog-poop. What then? Can’t turn back the clock and they would rather not send out emails with an “Oops” status for the snipe.

A little FYI: I once experienced a very long response time (it was a while ago) – something in the duration of minutes, not seconds (by the way, during that time, AS was able to place one of my two snipes, but considering I couldn’t even get in to place a manual bid, I was very impressed that the one snipe got place). Had AS checked response time 1 or 2 minutes before the end of the auction, it would have been too late to get even one of them in (the 2 auctions ended fairly close to each other, as I try to remember).

Now, add to the mix, different servers on ebay, acts of nature, acts of whatever – wow!, it’s enough to make me stop drinking.

Remember, this is a moving target, and “most” of the time these factors don’t come into play, but since they “can” come into play, I think AS errors on the side of caution.

Perhaps AS has too much experience placing bids. As a manual sniper, I only had to worry about the few snipes *I* placed. If response time was in the crapper, I was there to adjust it, or TRY to. But, I “had” to be there, and I had to “hope” that I could get the snipe in, and I didn’t have to be bothered with a pot full of other snipers’ needs (sometimes conflicting).

AS’ policy appears to be “early is better than not-at-all”. Those that agree with this, use AS. Those that don’t probably find another service (assuming there’s one that thinks that “not-at-all is better than early”), or place manual snipes. From comments on this forum, those that use AS trust it enough that overall (“overall” is key) it will do a very good job, and they don’t have to hassle placing manual snipes.

I’m a firm believer in “you can’t make all the people (market place) happy all the time”. Pick your target market, and service THAT market. That’s what it appears AS is doing. You might say, “Fine, just give me an advance setting to turn off adjusting lead-time”. AS will say, “That will only cause new users confusion” or “That will only cause users to miss snipes and come on the forum and complain”. I think AS SHOULD add that feature, but it’s easy for me to think this, as I don’t have to live with the mistake.

Sidenote: The merits, or demerits, AS has over manual snipes can be discussed, but they ultimately depend on one’s experience with this service, and with placing manual snipes.

As far as some of the wording about AS’ service being less than completely honest: Hey, haven’t you ever “enhanced” your accomplishments on a resume? Haven’t you ever “exaggerated” your abilities/appearances to the other sex? Since when does EVERYONE believe EVERYTHING in the literature and think it’s 100% embellishment-free?


OK, beat me up - I’m use to it.

I think there is a shortage of what I would call "proper research" in this question & answer session. With due deference to the expertise of Rick (see, I do "doff" my cap occasionally!) on this matter, I feel you have only provided half the evidence.

On the face of it you have built a reasonable case, but its like saying "I can forcast future market trends given the supply side of the argument" What about the "demand" side?

I have tried to establish trends before on ebay sales, but there is a "randomness" about auction prices achieved the knocks a "coach and horses" through most rational argument.

Consider some other factors:
1. Is it nothing to do with timing, but simply scarcity of the object. i.e rarity causing more active bidding?

2. Are auctions ending in US peak periods or European? If european, is it really a peak period? (adjust for EST)

3. How divergent are the current prices from the historic trend?

4. Is there any evidence of dishonest (i.e a ring) bidding?

5. Is this last second bidding pattern typical of these auctions? Is it a recent trend?

6. Has someone studied your form? If you assumed another bidding identity does the same thing happen?

I am not saying any of these factors are worth considering - just look at the whole picture.

Other factors may be at work here, not simply late timing. I have had a PM from a long time, now sadly absent member, who tells me that a rival organisation places his bids with no problems within the closing seconds. If you tried this organisation, does it improve your score?

Paul

Maybe AS ping ebay to work out response times and therefore adjust snipe times accordingly...just a thought

As far as some of the wording about AS’ service being less than completely honest: Hey, haven’t you ever “enhanced” your accomplishments on a resume? NOPE

Haven’t you ever “exaggerated” your abilities/appearances to the other sex? BEEN MARRIED TOO LONG TO REMEMBER.
Somewhere you hit what I actually wonder about. How does AS gauge eBay speed? I doubt if they are placing false bids as they would inevitably get a lot of wins.
I think they must be predicting current rsponse times based on previus days.
I am a big fan of AS. I have used it a long time and re;y heavily on it. Unless I am probing reserves or high bids, I seldom place manual bids today as you just betry what you will pay. I sometimes place a bid at about half of my max and then snipe if my manual bid is topped. AS has saved me tons of money over the years. I tell everyone to use it but I still wish my bids would go in when I wish.

Steve

Boy, I need to proofread.

Don't worry about doing that..I read it just fine...cuz it looks just like my typing!

quote:

Originally posted by letitflyantiques:
Boy, I need to proofread.

In case you don't know, and in case your interested, clicking on on the bottom right of your post allows you to edit the post.

Thanks,

i net there had to be sum weigh.

Thanks,

Steve

...But it only works if you proof-read!