Is 8 Seconds really 8 seconds?

Joe, Sunday PM is eBay's busiest time. It often happens that eBay's servers are overwhelmed and auctions start running behind schedule in terms of accepting bids. The auction clock keeps ticking without regard to server problems, though, and it's not uncommon for a bid set at say, 8 seconds before auction close not to be accepted in time. So AS keeps tabs on how fast eBay is processing bids and adjusts your snipe time accordingly. AS adjusted your snipe time when your snipe was queued 2 minutes before closing. EBay managed to catch up a little in those final 2 minutes and your bid was registered at 17 seconds before close. But at least it was accepted. Had the snipe time remained at 8 seconds you'd still be waiting for your bid to be placed.

Usually, when the pressure on eBay servers is not so severe, your bid will go in exactly when you want it to. Sunday PM is just a busy time, that's all. I usually allow at least 30 seconds for a Sunday PM snipe.

If yours was set for 8 and went at 17, then that means the 8 second snipe before yours went at -1 seconds. i.e. it was 1 second late and missed, so we compensated by 9 seconds, thus 17 seconds. But during that period eBay operated normally and thus your went at 17 seconds.

Which would you rather have us do? Snipe at 17 so that it gets there at 8 seconds, or snipe 8 seconds, eBay is still 9 seconds slow and your snipe is 1 second late, i.e. not placed at all?

Thanks Sara - didn't know AS did that - no wonder I've never had a problem.

As I said originally, I am glad that I won the auction.

It is encouraging to know that the AS system is a constant-feedback system and adjusts the snipe time accordingly.

Now on to more auctions!

Joe

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Originally posted by Sniper Sara B.:
If yours was set for 8 and went at 17, then that means the 8 second snipe before yours went at -1 seconds. i.e. it was 1 second late and missed, so we compensated by 9 seconds, thus 17 seconds. But during that period eBay operated normally and thus your went at 17 seconds.

Which would you rather have us do? Snipe at 17 so that it gets there at 8 seconds, or snipe 8 seconds, eBay is still 9 seconds slow and your snipe is 1 second late, i.e. not placed at all?

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