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I have been using AS for some months now and have always used a minimum snipe lead time of 3 seconds. This has worked very well with only a very small amount of missed snipes [UK user - maybe less traffic than US]. However of late I have lost several auctions which when I review the bidding the winning bid was placed a second later than mine. I have tried to modify my bid lead time and reduce it to 2 seconds. I am unable to do this in either the modify snipe entry or the setup of general account options. It says you can enter a lead time between 2-120 seconds BUT IT WILL NOT ALLOW 2 ONLY 3. Can someone inform me if they have changed the selectable minimum and not revised the contextual help? Thank you.
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Many thanks for the link - I have read the whole thread thoroughly. I would tend to agree with Steve that users should be able to set whatever lead time they like, certainly the pop up saying 2-120 secs is now misinformation. I bid in a very competitive field [laptops] and feel that to keep up with the competition I have to be able to snipe in the same time frame even at the risk of loosing the odd auction through bids not being placed on time. AS policy is of course commercially driven and designed to cosset new inexperienced users. This does not suit me nor from what I have read many other users - perhaps it would be better to keep the default at 7 seconds but allow users to over ride this to their own choice by double affirmation [saying yes to the change twice] and then employ one of those charming pop ups to inform the user that the default has been over ridden. If I can't personalise my snipe lead time, I will have to find out what sniping service my competitors are using and join them. Regards..............
I would hazard to say that when under ten seconds, such as you were, the winning bidder was planning to snipe, just as you were. (Who knows? Maybe he even used AS! Wink) When one is talking a difference of a second or two, it was not a matter of reaction; it was a planned bid.

Even if one has a higher bid loaded in a separate window, with password already verified and ready to go with one press of the ENTER key, you can be sure that the other bidder did not see your bid, hit ENTER and have the bid registered at ebay, all within a single second.
Sorry I don't see the point you're making - I have suggested a way that AS users can select the snipe time - why does nobody reply to that? If we are all incompetents and AS looses money because inadequate snipe times are selected then surely we would loose the auctions we are wasting our time bidding on and sniping. It is not the same for everyone I think a lower lead time works much better here in the UK as there is not the same volume of users - by the way will someone please tell Bill Gates there is no such thing as English {american} as set for default on the operating systems {perhaps Americans don't know that it is English they speak]. To quote from Auction Snipers own advertising: Place your bid exactly when you want … seconds before the auction closes! the only thing is you can't because you are nannied to a minimum time by the system.

quote:
Originally posted by Chatter:
I would hazard to say that when under ten seconds, such as you were, the winning bidder was planning to snipe, just as you were. (Who knows? Maybe he even used AS! Wink) When one is talking a difference of a second or two, it was not a matter of reaction; it was a planned bid.

Even if one has a higher bid loaded in a separate window, with password already verified and ready to go with one press of the ENTER key, you can be sure that the other bidder did not see your bid, hit ENTER and have the bid registered at ebay, all within a single second.
quote:
I have suggested a way that AS users can select the snipe time - why does nobody reply to that?
Because you’re right. AS doesn’t allow less than a 3 second lead-time (recent change). For me, that isn't, nor would it have ever been, a problem. Fair to say, that that’s also the case for all the regulars on this forum, or they wouldn’t be regulars. (we’re somewhat bias).

There have been others that feel they must be able to use very low lead-times and that AS not pad these lead times during peak periods. AS has decided that 1 and 2 second lead times can’t be used and they pad lead times because they feel that more users would rather have their snipe placed early, then not at all. I go along with that thinking, but then, I’m a regular.

There have been suggestions to provide users with an option to control whether to pad or not, but AS feels that for new users, that would be too confusing.

quote:
To quote from Auction Snipers own advertising: Place your bid exactly when you want … seconds before the auction closes! the only thing is you can't because you are nannied to a minimum time by the system.
It’s worse than that. Look at the text with the AS logo at the top of the forum page. I’ve already suggested AS change that, but maybe that’s some special copyrighted thing.

I think AS is a great service. They have 4+ dedicated sniping-servers placing redundant snipes to better guarantee that the snipe gets placed. They are close to ebay to minimize problems. But, they might not be right for you.
quote:
by the way will someone please tell Bill Gates there is no such thing as English {american} as set for default on the operating systems {perhaps Americans don't know that it is English they speak].


Actually, there is a difference (however minor) between the "Queen's" English and "American" English; for examle:

English = harbour...American = harbor

Notice the lack of the 'U' in the American spelling. I believe this what the robber baron is referring to in the default. I once set my default as " English (Australia)" and didn't notice any difference; so it may be a moot point.
Dave

thanks for your reply - but not being able to spell correctly does not make it another language. Mr Gates in that situation does not give an alternative such as English [English] or English [United Kingdom]. I find the most common example is the misspelling of favourite as "favorite" - this largely I believe has arisen due to laziness - why if spelling is hard lets take out the difficult letters! I think English is the languge spoken in England by the English [often misspoken] not by our once colonies with only a 200 year history. Hope nobody takes offence at this friendly fire Red Face)) Regards...........
quote:
Originally posted by dd101:
Yes I was looking for that quote "bid at the last second"
If they just add an “s” to “second”, then it would be more accurate.


quote:
Originally posted by Dave:
Notice the lack of the 'U' in the American spelling. I believe this what the robber baron ...
Shouldn’t that be roubber baroun?


quote:
Originally posted by dd101:
not by our once colonies with only a 200 year history
Any idea what tomorrow represents in American history?


quote:
Originally posted by dd101:
Hope nobody takes offence at this friendly fire
Everyone is probably use to it. (region2's post)
dd101, yes I do find it offensive! I do not come on here saying anything offensive against your country, which I am sure you love, or anyone's country or the way they speak or write! Several members of my family, including myself, have stood in harm's way for our country and young as it might be, we are free and proud!

Now...back to the orginal subject...
quote:
Originally posted by Serenity:
dd101, yes I do find it offensive! I do not come on here saying anything offensive against your country, which I am sure you love, or anyone's country or the way they speak or write! Several members of my family, including myself, have stood in harm's way for our country and young as it might be, we are free and proud!

dd101 (who is also this thread's original poster),
Oops. Spoke too early. Well, let me change it to, “Most everyone is probably use to it, and doesn’t take it seriously.
It's well documented that many British troops have been put in harms way by American yahoo fire - still this is probably not the best forum for political opinion - it was a fairly light hearted comment on the Americanese language. I should have known the worlds mightiest superpower would come in flag waving - well shut ma mouth!
This is the actual radio conversation (released by the chief of naval operations) of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995.


CANADIANS: "Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision"


AMERICANS: "Recommend YOU divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision"


CANADIANS: "Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision"


AMERICANS: "This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course"


CANADIANS: "No, I say again, you divert your course"


AMERICANS: "This is the Aircraft Carrier USS LINCOLN, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers and numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that's one-five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship"


CANADIANS: "This is a LIGHTHOUSE. Your call"
British Hospitality

So this Texan who visits the UK to sample Wadworth's 6X and other fine beers is in London and decides to explore the city on his own. He wanders around, seeing the sights, and occasionally stopping at a quaint pub to soak up the local culture, chat with the lads, and have a pint of bitter.

After a while, he finds himself in a very high-class area...big, stately residences... no pubs, no shops, no restaurants, and worst of all... NO PUBLIC TOILETS. He really, really has to go, after all those pints of bitter.

He finds a narrow side street, with high walls surrounding the adjacent buildings and decides to use the wall to solve his problem. As he is unzipping, he is tapped on the shoulder by a London Bobby, who says, "I say, sir, you simply cannot do that here, you know."

"I'm very sorry, officer," replies the American, "but I really, really HAVE TO GO, and I just can't find a public toilet."

"Ah, yes," said the Bobby, "Just follow me".

He leads him to a back "delivery alley", then along a wall to a gate,
which he opens.

"In there," points the Bobby. "Whiz away Sir, anywhere you want."

The fellow enters and finds himself in the most beautiful garden he has ever seen. Manicured grass lawns, statuary, fountains, sculptured hedges, and huge beds of gorgeous flowers, all in perfect bloom. Since he has the cop's blessing, he unburdens himself and is greatly relieved.

As he goes back through the gate, he says to the Bobby, "That was really decent of you... is that what you call "British Hospitality?"

"No sir", replied the Bobby, "That is what we call the French Embassy.
quote:
it was a fairly light hearted comment on the Americanese language.
It was VERY light hearted.

quote:
I should have known the worlds mightiest superpower would come in flag waving

It’s unfortunate that some Americans get so easily offended. There are one or two “Ugly Americans” on this forum. Poor Dave – he’s the one that started the conversation in that light hearted direction.

P.S. Liked the jokes, dd101.

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