After changing the bid time to 7 seconds as advised by auction support, I lost another auction. My bid was $30 more than the winning bid. My Snipes status reads"Did not win". Is this auction site reliable?
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Yes.
I will add to this post-that out of 72 bids,I won 17 and only lost when outbid or not meeting reserve. The last two attempts to snipe appear not to have been entered in the auction. That is why I am concerned with the site functioning properly.
quote:Is this auction site reliable?
eBay is an Auction site, AS is a system for sniping on eBay...
Without the Auction Number no-one can help you...
R2
barnetto,
For what it’s worth, if AS were having problems, you’d see several (like in SEVERAL!) concurrent posts and threads on this forum containing complaints from users, and some of them might even be impolite.
For what it’s worth, if AS were having problems, you’d see several (like in SEVERAL!) concurrent posts and threads on this forum containing complaints from users, and some of them might even be impolite.
Rick,
Sorry to burst your bubble but this site failed to place a snipe of mine on Monday. Their explanation was some 'primary bidder' being down for most of the day and clearly some snipes weren't migrated, although they wouldn't go into detail. All they could 'promise' was that it wouldn't happen again, but it has certainly been a wake-up call - I lost an important item on Ebay as a result (it went for a song when I had a BIG snipe waiting in the wings), but there is no come back, no way of correcting their error, so what can a user do ?? Yes I could go elsewhere, but I guess none are infallible, it is just bloody annoying...
OK, rant over, but I've only just found somewhere to do it (i.e. this forum)!!
Jim
Sorry to burst your bubble but this site failed to place a snipe of mine on Monday. Their explanation was some 'primary bidder' being down for most of the day and clearly some snipes weren't migrated, although they wouldn't go into detail. All they could 'promise' was that it wouldn't happen again, but it has certainly been a wake-up call - I lost an important item on Ebay as a result (it went for a song when I had a BIG snipe waiting in the wings), but there is no come back, no way of correcting their error, so what can a user do ?? Yes I could go elsewhere, but I guess none are infallible, it is just bloody annoying...
OK, rant over, but I've only just found somewhere to do it (i.e. this forum)!!
Jim
The forum concensus is to never rely on AS (or A.N.Other system) for a 'must have' because, as you've seen, it's not infallible!quote:I lost an important item on Ebay
Simile time: If you were writing a letter for the 'job of a lifetime', would you rely on the spell/grammar check or would you read it through yourself?!
That explains the problem - I suggest those affected get in touch with AS via the HELP tab and get some free snipes for their inconvenience!
R2
There’s nothing that’s “infallible”, other then the infallibility that there’s always someone to disagree with what’s posted.
Easy bubble come – easy bubble go.
Easy bubble come – easy bubble go.
Following your 'job of a lifetime' metaphor (rather than simile, I think), having checked it thoroughly for typo's, I would still only post one application - hence being utterly reliant on the postal service to deliver it!! What is the forum consensus on how to back up and AS snipe, then ??
As I concluded before, there are no guarantees, and this was just bad luck. Onward and upward...
Jim
As I concluded before, there are no guarantees, and this was just bad luck. Onward and upward...
Jim
English - the last of the British Empire. 
quote:Originally posted by red b:
... having checked it thoroughly for typo's ...
Like that one, Jim
Hi, I had problems with sniping two chainsaws on 31st and I assumed that AS was at fault after many previous successes with them. I came here to find out. So from what you are saying, given that the items went for $20-$40 less than they usually do, it is possible that ebay was not accepting bets at that time, so even if I had bid directly I may not have won. Have I got the gist of it? Thanks
my AS account is NOT updating current bids!!! What is going on around here?????
Meg,
Click on "Update Prices" right above your snipes.
Happy sniping
Click on "Update Prices" right above your snipes.
Happy sniping
excelent and by the way I WON MY ITEM! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I lost an item that A-S was supposed to get for me. I am on the startup period: it says "You have 2 free snipes remaining" - ok, I enter my snipe - it's already approachng auction close, 30 secs to go, but I hit Add and it seems to take. I bounce over to the item: watch as the time runs down - another bidder gets it with a lower bid - A-S NEVER PUT THE BID IN. THe stupid thing shows the bid sitting there in "Ready" status even though the auction has ended. What's with that? Oh, and it still thinks I have two free snipes. . go figure. VERY ANNOYING.
John, you do realize that you don't need to snipe the process of "adding" the snipe? You do need to add the snipe at least 5 minutes (it can even be several days) before the auction ends. Here's some info from the FAQs: http://www.auctionsniper.com/faqsnipes.aspx#snipes1quote:Originally posted by johnb3950:
ok, I enter my snipe - it's already approachng auction close, 30 secs to go, but I hit Add and it seems to take. I bounce over to the item: watch as the time runs down
How annoying, another newbie who has failed to read the Help or scan thro' the forums so hasn't got a clue how AS works despite having a previous win under his/her belt. I guess in this case AS needs to send a message - "your snipe has arrived too late to be included - sorry!" - if a snipe is added to close to the end.
R2
R2
Just signed up and looking forward to using AS.
Auctiva site was down, so I can't get any work done over there right now and since AS banner ad has been beckoning(lol) to me for six months now I finally had/took the time to sign on.
As I'm still on the upside of the learning curve(sounds better than 'Newbie', just more wordy), Please excuse this question/comment. I'm not trying to offend either, but if one is actually at the computer able to watch an auction end with 30 sec. to go why not just try to snipe on your own instead of relying on a service. I mean, it appears one of the biggest advantages of AS is the ability to snipe 'in absentia' unless you've previously listed the snipe and just want to see it work(as I intend to do).
Also R2, I agree with you:
One thing I've always tried to teach my kids (as well as anyone else who would listen) is the "lost art" of READING THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL for anything from a cofee maker to an IPOD. I think your tutorials are great...and easier to understand than a book of text in 3+ languages.
Just IMHO.
Auctiva site was down, so I can't get any work done over there right now and since AS banner ad has been beckoning(lol) to me for six months now I finally had/took the time to sign on.
As I'm still on the upside of the learning curve(sounds better than 'Newbie', just more wordy), Please excuse this question/comment. I'm not trying to offend either, but if one is actually at the computer able to watch an auction end with 30 sec. to go why not just try to snipe on your own instead of relying on a service. I mean, it appears one of the biggest advantages of AS is the ability to snipe 'in absentia' unless you've previously listed the snipe and just want to see it work(as I intend to do).
Also R2, I agree with you:
quote:who has failed to read the Help or scan thro' the forums so hasn't got a clue
One thing I've always tried to teach my kids (as well as anyone else who would listen) is the "lost art" of READING THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL for anything from a cofee maker to an IPOD. I think your tutorials are great...and easier to understand than a book of text in 3+ languages.
Just IMHO.
oldhead,quote:I mean, it appears one of the biggest advantages of AS is the ability to snipe 'in absentia'
I’d say that’s an accurate statement. There are some (perhaps minor) reliability benefits in using AS in that each snipe is placed by multiple (4+) servers to better insure that the snipe is placed. And, AS has something called “redundant Internet backbone connections at the PacBell NAP” (whatever that means, but it sounds impressive). Also, AS is located near ebay. Those features better insure that “if” something is acting up, be it communications or ebay or some worm, you’ll have a better chance of AS getting your snipe in then you would have placing a manual snipe. But, then one has to ask how often something is acting up.
Now, those benefits have to be weighed against the potential for some infrequently occurring downsides. AS will pad the lead-time if it “thinks” response time is slow on ebay. That can be from a few seconds to over a minute. This mostly occurs on Sunday evenings, which is ebay’s prime time. Also, should the seller extend the auction, AS has been known to place a snipe 24 hours early. And, of course, AS servers have been known to go down (this is VERY infrequent), but I’m sure that’s happened with your computer, and probably more times then it has with AS’s (remember, they have multiple servers).
Also, watching the auction from AS isn’t the best of ideas. The clock on “My Snipes” isn’t accurate as it reflects the time on your computer, although that has NO impact on when the snipes are actually placed, and the current bid price isn’t always the actual current bid price (one needs to click on “Update Prices”).
Additionally, you can't change/cancel your snipe 5 minutes or less before the end of the auction.
As a side note, seems that when I want to snipe something, I’m usually around. Only problem, seems like it’s usually during dinner.
Happy sniping
quote:to go why not just try to snipe on your own instead of relying on a service.
I would agree with you - if and only if, you can guarantee to keep a calm head on your shoulders!
Someone once said to me that auctions are:
"Where greed and avarice meet"
So you see that bids are coming in thick and fast and your mental note of "that's my maximum" is being fast approached. I defy you to say to yourself "that's it!"
I participated in a real auction for a pair of Quad speakers a year ago. Absolute maximum I said to myself of £125 because they may be broken. So why did I hear myself saying £200?
(One was broken and the working one disintegrated my amplifier, but that's another story!)
No, AS keeps it nice and unemotional. You see something you want, make up your mind then and there about what you want to pay and walk away.
Yes, your bid might end up on the low side and others are willing to pay more, but mostly, like the buses, another identical item will follow on shortly.
Paul
quote:Originally posted by red b:
Following your 'job of a lifetime' metaphor ... having checked it thoroughly for typo's, I would still only post one application - hence being utterly reliant on the postal service to deliver it!!
I wouldn't rely utterly on the post. I would follow up with a phone call to make sure they had received the application.
quote:Originally posted by Camera:
Someone once said to me that auctions are:
"Where greed and avarice meet"
Not sure I understand that. I could understand if it said it's where greed and ego meet, or greed and anxiety, or greed and envy, or greed and imagination, or me and my greed.
quote:Originally posted by Rick:oldhead,quote:I mean, it appears one of the biggest advantages of AS is the ability to snipe 'in absentia'
I’d say that’s an accurate statement. There are some (perhaps minor) reliability benefits in using AS in that each snipe is placed by multiple (4+) servers to better insure that the snipe is placed. And, AS has something called “redundant Internet backbone connections at the PacBell NAP” (whatever that means, but it sounds impressive). Also, AS is located near ebay. Those features better insure that “if” something is acting up, be it communications or ebay or some worm, you’ll have a better chance of AS getting your snipe in then you would have placing a manual snipe. But, then one has to ask how often something is acting up.
Now, those benefits have to be weighed against the potential for some infrequently occurring downsides. AS will pad the lead-time if it “thinks” response time is slow on ebay. That can be from a few seconds to over a minute. This mostly occurs on Sunday evenings, which is ebay’s prime time. Also, should the seller extend the auction, AS has been known to place a snipe 24 hours early. And, of course, AS servers have been known to go down (this is VERY infrequent), but I’m sure that’s happened with your computer, and probably more times then it has with AS’s (remember, they have multiple servers).
Also, watching the auction from AS isn’t the best of ideas. The clock on “My Snipes” isn’t accurate as it reflects the time on your computer, although that has NO impact on when the snipes are actually placed, and the current bid price isn’t always the actual current bid price (one needs to click on “Update Prices”).
Additionally, you can't change/cancel your snipe 5 minutes or less before the end of the auction.
As a side note, seems that when I want to snipe something, I’m usually around. Only problem, seems like it’s usually during dinner.
Happy sniping
I, too, have had multiple snipes not placed today. I placed five snipes that were supposed to fire today. Of those, three I was overbid on (understand that....), but the other two I received "Unable to sign in" messages. I am beginning to wonder about AS's reliability myself. If--and this is a BIG "if"--AS is using four different servers to place snipes, why could two of my snipes not get placed because they could not login? This makes even less sense when you know that, of the two that were unable to be placed, one was timed between two others that were placed.
I am less and less inclined to place any reliability on AS. The above circumstances are not new, and have been occuring much more frequently in the last few months. I don't bid on anything that I MUST have, since there is almost nothing that eBay has that I absolutely need to survive. Of course, that being said, there isn't really any alternative to using eBay or AS, is there? No other sniping site works worth **** anyway, so AS has no competition to drive them to be better. And eBay pretty much determines the online market, so forget competition there, too.
Anyway, enough of my rant. I will likely continue to use AS, but definitely don't recommend it to anyone who is really serious about their auctioning. So much for my free snipes....
Will
Again last night, three snipes set to fire. One fires, but I was outbid. The other two--you guesed it. "Unable to sign in" Of course, I probably would have lost them, but it would be nice to know that I at least am able to TRY to win. AS strikes again....NOT!
What did Support say?
R2
R2
I would not be surprised if there is some kind of problem (whether with ebay, or AS, or servers or what, I haven't a clue) that occurs when you have a number of bids on items ending in close succession. I had the problem "unable to sign in" on one and only one occasion over all my snipes, and that was when I had a row of something like 6 or 7 snipes (all on items from the same seller) each item ending like 30 to 90 seconds before the next one, set up as a bidgroup. I got the "unable to sign in" message on at least 1 or 2 of the items, I seem to recall. Were your items spaced closely apart?
Hi Community,
The following explanation of the "Unable to Sign In" failure message is taken directly from our FAQ:
"To place your bid, we signin to eBay up to three minutes before your snipe time. This status means eBay did not respond to our login requests soon enough for us to place the snipe. This error should be rare, and only happens during extreme spikes in eBay traffic."
-Mike
The following explanation of the "Unable to Sign In" failure message is taken directly from our FAQ:
"To place your bid, we signin to eBay up to three minutes before your snipe time. This status means eBay did not respond to our login requests soon enough for us to place the snipe. This error should be rare, and only happens during extreme spikes in eBay traffic."
-Mike
I've used AuctionSniper about 20 times in the past without incident. Today I lost two separate auctions because the bid was not placed in time. Anyone else having problems today?
quote:Originally posted by jw:
I've used AuctionSniper about 20 times in the past without incident. Today I lost two separate auctions because the bid was not placed in time. Anyone else having problems today?
I've used AS a couple years - this happened to me Thursday for the second time. Not sure what happened but it is disappointing.....
I just lost an auction to someone who won by about $50 less than my max bid. I have never had a problem with AS before...but last night it failed to place my bid. I had the lead time set to 9 seconds. I have already submitted a help request but thought to check here after the fact. I have a status of "Did Not Win". There is no explaination for this status on the page that defines all the status messages. Since my Bid was not too low...and Ebay didn't cause the problem....etc etc...I believe AS must have just failed in some way. A bummer for sure. I have way too many good experiences with this service to just bail or throw a temper tantrum....but it does make one a bit uneasy to actually experience a failure. I know others have said that AS is not infallable. Up until now I pretty much thought it was.
Hmmm, I've placed 9 snipes over the last 5 days. The results:
Bid Too Low: 5
Not In Time: 4
You Won!: 0
AuctionSniper support claims that they have been experiencing no performance problems lately, and that I've just had bad luck. They also claim that their bids are placed by three redundant server, which means that I've actually experienced 12 separate failures over the last 5 days.
My rudimentary knowledge of statistics suggests that I'm experiencing more than a run of bad luck. I presume that AuctionSniper has been experiencing problems that they either don't realize or are unwilling to admit to.
Bid Too Low: 5
Not In Time: 4
You Won!: 0
AuctionSniper support claims that they have been experiencing no performance problems lately, and that I've just had bad luck. They also claim that their bids are placed by three redundant server, which means that I've actually experienced 12 separate failures over the last 5 days.
My rudimentary knowledge of statistics suggests that I'm experiencing more than a run of bad luck. I presume that AuctionSniper has been experiencing problems that they either don't realize or are unwilling to admit to.
I lost a bid this morning because my bid did not meet the reserve. I checked about this on this site a few days ago and saw a posting saying that AS would meet the reserve. Is this true?
Like you, AS doesn't know what the reserve is so it will just bid your max as if it was you...
I always ask the seller what the reserve is - some seem to think that it's a big secret and won't say, others tell you and I bid accordingly.
R2
I always ask the seller what the reserve is - some seem to think that it's a big secret and won't say, others tell you and I bid accordingly.
R2
As someone earlier said "you’d see several (like in SEVERAL!) concurrent posts and threads on this forum containing complaints..." If they're like me they just chalk it up to bad luck, but when it continues to happen, you get pissed. I've decided to lay off the sniping for a while, I don't want to miss my item... 
Well here is another complaint of auctions lost due to "late bid" even with the lead time set to the default. My last five bids where lost this way.
AuctionSniper.com support response to date has been less than adequate. (a) Try to deny I am in the system, even though they email me at the address given; (b) Need my ebay username - given in the intial support posting and then (c) can't help you as there are many reasons bids are lost. This response even though they where told of the reason and the various lead times used. Not impressed.
If they came back honestly I accept that, but trying to fob off customers and not act professionally. That I find hard to take.
Regards
Andrew
AuctionSniper.com support response to date has been less than adequate. (a) Try to deny I am in the system, even though they email me at the address given; (b) Need my ebay username - given in the intial support posting and then (c) can't help you as there are many reasons bids are lost. This response even though they where told of the reason and the various lead times used. Not impressed.
If they came back honestly I accept that, but trying to fob off customers and not act professionally. That I find hard to take.
Regards
Andrew
I am a long time user of AS, and know how to use the system. Tonight, the system simply FAILED to place my snipe bid. This leaves me highly suspicious of trusting this site in the near future for desired items, unless the site can address this problem and solution in an open forum.
As was posted earlier by another user, the site still shows my bid as "Ready", though the item has ended. This failure is inexcusable, and if it is the fault of the site, as I'm sure this failure is, users should be compensated in some way.
Bidders beware.
As was posted earlier by another user, the site still shows my bid as "Ready", though the item has ended. This failure is inexcusable, and if it is the fault of the site, as I'm sure this failure is, users should be compensated in some way.
Bidders beware.
I guess posting it in two places helped at the time...
From time to time AS fails to bid - the posts on the forum confirm this. There's many reasons why this can happen - slow networks, changes in eBay screens etc etc so I reckon 'annoying' would be a better word than 'inexcusable'.
Have you contacted support and asked them what went wrong? There may be some explanation that allays your suspicions. After all, if your snipe was on a Sunday evening than any long-term user of AS would realise that this is a very busy time and that AS can struggle to get snipes in on time, especially for those auctions that end on the hour.
R2
From time to time AS fails to bid - the posts on the forum confirm this. There's many reasons why this can happen - slow networks, changes in eBay screens etc etc so I reckon 'annoying' would be a better word than 'inexcusable'.
Have you contacted support and asked them what went wrong? There may be some explanation that allays your suspicions. After all, if your snipe was on a Sunday evening than any long-term user of AS would realise that this is a very busy time and that AS can struggle to get snipes in on time, especially for those auctions that end on the hour.
R2