Use Multiple Snipe services for Important Items?

There is the occasional snipe that doesn’t get placed – I think it’s 1 out of 10,000. So the odds are very low that AS won’t place your snipe. The biggest problem comes from those that don’t use a long enough lead-time (read FAQ’s for suggested lead times). But, as they say, “If something can go wrong, it will go wrong”. If it’s a must have item, then using a second site will obviously reduce the odds (1 out of 100,000?). But, even that won’t guarantee that one of the snipes will get placed. There can be problems with ebay, or Internet, that will temporarily block all bids. The safest way to insure that a bid gets placed is to use a proxy bid, but then you run the risk of starting a bidding war. If money is no object, proxy bid.

If it’s a once in a life-time item, then you might want to use a backup sniping service. But, “once in a life-time item” is very, very rare. If a snipe isn’t placed (again, it happens, but not often), the item will usually appear at a later date, and often cheaper.

Happy sniping.

I have been using AS for just over 2 years and although I am not a super heavy user, I have only had one snipe not placed.

I have used 2 sniping services on those items that you just cant lose!! and AS didnt fail me, but the reassurance was nice.

As Rick said, most items arent once in a lifetime, but the item I was bidding on as only been offered on ebay twice in the last 2 years...so I am glad I didnt miss it

Thanks Folks, appreciate your thoughts.

quote:

As Rick said, most items arent once in a lifetime, but the item I was bidding on as only been offered on ebay twice in the last 2 years...so I am glad I didnt miss it

Prol'ly some Robbie-related trinket!

quote:

Originally posted by Jabbergah:

quote:

As Rick said, most items arent once in a lifetime, but the item I was bidding on as only been offered on ebay twice in the last 2 years...so I am glad I didnt miss it

Prol'ly some Robbie-related trinket!

Uhuh, a Robbie Beanie Bear to be precise

If the item is that important and you don't trust AS et al then why not place a last minute proxy bid manually?

R2

If the notice "not in time" is so rare, how come I have had it several times now? It's beginning to really make me angry that I miss my bids because someone or something messed up. I tried increasing the time before the bid but I just keep getting beaten by those who didn't.
They want you to tell your friends about AS well hell no, why increase the competition.

quote:

If the notice "not in time" is so rare, how come I have had it several times now?

What were you using for a lead-time when that happened? Can you supply the links to some of the auctions where you've gotten "not in time"?

Yup, the lead time is important. Evenings and weekends need more lead time than the rest. You sort of develop a feel for the times. I use a standard 4 most of the time. But, weekend evenings are more than 12-15. Again, it can even take longer on some weekends.

quote:

Originally posted by region2:
If the item is that important and you don't trust AS et al then why not place a last minute proxy bid manually?

R2

'coz I value my sleep and for some reason work can be quite demanding which has resulted in me missing the end of an auction

....[still pining for the pair of shoes I missed due to a work meeting running overtime ]

So, what's the best "other sniping service"?

I've been pretty liberal in letting this thread run, but that's too much.