Well I tried Auction Sniper and lost my dream car

quote:

I have since found out that the reserve was £2000.

The only explanation I can come up with is that the reserve wasn't £2000, but something higher (over your bid amount). Do you think that's possible?

After the auction ended I contacted the vendor to let them know I was still interested. They told me the reserve was £2000. 3 hours later they had my £2000 and I had the car. I suppose I only have their word for it - but have no reason not to trust them.

Try checking your "My Ebay" page. It should show your bid amount. If ebay shows your full bid amount was £2251.50, then the reserve couldn't have been £2000. Otherwise there would be a bug in ebay's handling of reserve auctions. Now, I’m not saying the seller is wrong, nor am I saying the seller is confused, but I would have a lot more confidence in ebay than in this, or any, seller. I have been wrong before, so it’s possible I’m wrong again.

quote:

I recieved ebay confirmation that my max bid £2251.50 was placed 22/10 10:43.

The fact that ebay sent you an email confirming your £2251.50 bid, sure does put a VERY large shadow of doubt on what the seller told you the reserve was. If the reserve was actually £2000, then you should have won the action at £2000.

Maybe they cut you a better deal to avoid paying ebay's fees? (I'm such a cynic.)

quote:

3 hours later they had my £2000 and I had the car

So you didn't actually lose it...

R2

no, OK, Auction Sniper lost it.

Lol, no we didnt. Did you ever click the "View Confirmation" button next to your losing snipe? 2 clicks of minimal research on our site and you could see this for yourself. Here is eBays exact reply to us correctly placing your snipe. You're wrong, and the seller lied.

Bid Confirmation Item number: 458*******

You are signed in This item is being tracked in My eBay | Email to a friend | Printer Version

The reserve price has not been met (although you are the current high bidder)


Important: This item ends soon. To try and win this item, enter a maximum bid immediately.


Title: YOUR DREAM CAR
Time left: 9 secs
History: 13 bids
Current bid: GBP 1,650.00 (Approximately US $2,919.18)
Your maximum bid: GBP 2,251.50 (Reserve not met)
Your new maximum bid: GBP (Enter GBP 1,700.00 or more)


What does "reserve price has not been met" mean? The reserve price is the hidden minimum sales price set by the seller. In order to win this item, you must meet the reserve price and have the highest bid.

How does bidding work? eBay automatically bids on your behalf up to your maximum bid. If the item ends for less than your maximum, that's all you'll have to pay. See example.