Highest bid by Ebay or Sniper?

Hi Boris,
Sniping is just the same as proxy bidding, its just done at the last second.

So, the answer is...whoever places the HIGHEST bid will win, whether its in the last 7 seconds or 3 days ago.

If the *other bidder* has a higher proxy bid than you, ebay will certainly process them to be the winner.

Its the trap that many a new sniper fall into, they think that its the last bid placed....not true...its ALWAYS the highest bid.

Good Luck

Assuming that both of your bids were registered before the auction close, yes, plenty of time. Assuming that the previous bidder's maximum bid was at least your maximum plus the bid increment at that level, you lose.

I suspect it doesn't really work as if repeat bids were placed. The code can easily and quickly make it look as if that's what happens without the normal overhead of actually placing a bid.

Thanks for your replies.

My conclusion then is that sniping may save you some money by preventing an ongoing bidding war, but offers no "last second" advantage over someone with a higher bid already entered.

As a user, I must now decide if preventing a bidding war is worth the 1% fee to do so.

Boris the Bidder

quote:

As a user, I must now decide if preventing a bidding war is worth the 1% fee to do so.

That's a fair summation.

works for me...

R2

It usually is. I only found out so again this week.

quote:

My conclusion then is that sniping may save you some money by preventing an ongoing bidding war, but offers no "last second" advantage over someone with a higher bid already entered.

That is correct.

quote:

As a user, I must now decide if preventing a bidding war is worth the 1% fee to do so.

Considering that most items cost pocket change in fees, I do not know why it would not be worth it. And even if one is purchasing an items that costs hundreds or even thousands, then surely a few dollars (which you only pay when you win) would be worth it to maximize the probability of success.

quote:

As a user, I must now decide if preventing a bidding war is worth the 1% fee to do so.

Hiya again Boris,
I know what you mean. Sometimes I just put the maximum I want to pay for the item in as a proxy and let it go. I figure, I am still not going to pay more than I am willing to. Last year I did this, and saved myself the $5US AS Fee.

Most of the time I tend to snipe though, and it DOES save you some money. Especially when a newbie bidder comes along and cant quite make up their mind what their Maximum is.

Proxy bid scenario.....

1 hour till end of auction - Newbie bidder bids $25 (opening price is $20) and then I enter my Max of $32.52 in ebay's proxy bidding system. I am leading bidder at $26. Newbie comes back and ups proxy to $30. I am leading bidder at $31. Newbie comes back and ups proxy to $35. Newbie wins auction (no other bidders) for $33.52 and I walk away saying "oh well, at least I didnt pay more than my Maximum".

Sniper Scenario....

1 hour till end of auction - Newbie bidder bids $25 (opening price is $20) and then I set my snipe for $32.52. Newbie bidder sits there and thinks "I am going to win this auction for $20!!!" Nobody else bids and then in the last few seconds....my snipe hits and >I< win the auction for $26!! Newbie bidder sits there shaking head wondering WTF happened?

Summation - Proxy Scenario = I didnt win but didnt pay more than I was willing. Sniper Scenario = I won for $6.52 less than my Max and AS charged me 26 cents, so total saving was $6.26.

Lexie, very nice analysis!

Two other main advantages.
One is the opportunity to cancel your bid if you find a better item before the end of auction.
Second is the bid group folder that allows you to throw all of the same gizmos into it. That way you will sooner or later get it at YOUR price, not an inflated one.
Since you only pay if you win, I find the convience well worth the price.