Sniping versus Bidding Duels

Either you pick one auction and snipe it, OR, you place a proxy bid on one of them and hope that you have enough time to bid/snipe on the other auction should you be outbidded on your proxy-bidded auction.

Thanks for your reply, Rick!
I agree with you 100%.

Ethics aside, the real winners in any bidding duel, whether on eBay or 'live' (including phone bids to huge international auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's or Phillips) are the vendors and those who take their commission.

Mick.

Welcome, M. I was curious as to why you say "Ethics aside." Why does the topic of ethics even arise? There is certainly nothing unethical about sniping.

I didn't express myself clearly enough, Snipeaholic!

I have no objection whatsoever to snipers and sniping, and 98% of my bids go through Auction Sniper.

However, there are some eBay members (mainly losers, I suspect) who claim that sniping is unfair, immoral, cheating or worse.

Like us, they are entitled to their opinion!


Mick.

I snipe sometimes. Sometimes not. But phleeeeze dont start a discussion about whats fair, noobish, crazy and what not. There is no such thing as a crazy bidding war. If you have the money to pay more than the item is worth then be my guest. The bidders in question could of course refrain from bidding and let a veteran bidder take the item for next to nothing.

I have been at so many auctions where people looked at me as if I was some kind of insect, because the snatched their item from under their nose. All they had to do was put in a higher bid. It seems that if you have the money to buy a good item at a fair value you piss off the people who turn up at the auction with the expectation of getting everything for nothing.

Lets not forget that there is a seller involved too. Items are sold at value - sometimes less if you are lucky - but dont expect gifts!

Most of the items I've bought on eBay over the last couple of years have been through Auction Sniper. Sometimes there was no other bidder, but it's easy to be wise in hindsight. I certainly don't begrudge Auction Sniper taking its cut. I haven't the time to watch 24/24, 365/365.

I have seen many "crazy bidding wars" while physically present in various Auction Rooms, from major international to local philatelic society. I have taken part in some myself, and asked later how I could have been so stupid, particularly after paying 50% more than I had intended.

eBay is no different! It's so easy to be carried away in the excitement of the moment - "One more bid and I'll get it!"

I hope to become an eBay seller soon, to get rid of "surplus to requirements" items and finance my "collecting" addiction. Snipers will be welcome - the more the better. I'll be setting my starting prices to break even. If I make a modest profit, so much the better.

Best wishes from Melbourne, Australia.

To AuctionBrute (and others)

If you include your DIRECT email address, I'll reply to you DIRECTLY - and politely - rather than use the Forum as a shield.

Those of you who care enough about what I've posted to reply deserve a personal and friendly response.

No, I'm not afraid of displaying my email address for the world to see. If anybody can get through my defences, I need to know so I can improve them.

BTW, I don't have time to monitor this forum continuously; neither do you!

Happy sniping!

Mick.

I wasnt trying to put you down - although, in hindsight, my post might have been a bit ambigious. I too am pissed off when my auctions are jacked up by half-hearted bidders trying to get a good deal - without any chance of winning - but raising the price anyway.

However, I suspect that may be the reason why sellers still stampede to Ebay to unload their stuff. If an item has an obvious value it will sell at a reasonable price. Unless you are lucky ofc - and that happens from time to time, ...grin...

I am happy though that prices generally seem to be fair. When I kick the bucket my wife is left with all my junk, and I would hate it if it went for nothing...