Wish list: Variable lead time based on AS realtime data and previous experience

The following were two posts left by forum members:

"However, I find no loss in having this feature for those that want to control the snipe time. It could be activated with a checkbox selection that disclaims any performance guarantee. Basically, I want to be able to ensure that a bid DOES NOT get placed more ten or so seconds from the end. ... I would like that lead control feature or some type of limiting control for a sniping service (like Do Not Snipe More Than xx number of seconds prior)." - tjway

"That kind of a check box option seems like a great solution, Sara. It could be a perfect compromise: dealing pretty well with the occasional complaints you receive about AS placing bids too early, as well as letting the current system continue to work well for those of us who are more concerned that each of our bids be definitely placed before the end of an auction. Could it work for AS as well?" - Maxine


This was posted by Sniper Sara B. (AS support) on 4/09/03 at 3:27 PM:

another box would clutter the interface, and be unclear to new users as to why it's needed.

in addition most people would just check it, then get totally pissed when their snipe got to eBay late. Through no fault of ours.

Believe me. Most snipes of less than 5 seconds do not make it on time in auctions where our system bids early. Checking that box would just end up with us missing upwards of 200 snipes a day and we'd have another 200 people in here complaining each night.

Basically we already do what you've asked. We just dont offer a way to turn it off. We figure people want to win auctions and we do our best to make sure that happens. We dont make any money if you lose or we miss your bid so you can be pretty sure we are. To turn off our ability to increase your odds would take programming effort and changes that would cost us a lot of man hours and programming. We'd win less auctions, and be placing more losing snipes which means our servers are working harder to make less money. Not to mention time better spent making the service better and more accurate. So it's highly unlikely we'll be adding such a feature. Appreciate your feedback and input though.

Thanks for the reply.

Well, if you already (basically) do what I've asked, then why did a snipe of mine not get placed?

I will wait to receive the answer to my support case.

Rick - Thanks for the posting. I see people care about sniping too early too!

My preference would be to have the snipe placed early, rather than not at all.

Hey Sara B.! One more box to check!

The only reason to bid late is so that people don't notice you've outbid them, and then they have no time to outbid YOU. If there area bunch of snipes going in in the last 15 seconds, it doesn't matter what order they come in (assuming no two people bid the same amount) It is always the case that the person with the highest maximum bid will end up winning and the price will be equal to the second highest maximum bid.