sniping programs for ebay

[faithinkarma]

Have you seen these?

There was an article about them in my husband's computer magazine. You buy a program for as little as 14.95, and it will do your bidding, literally.

You can program it to snipe....to bid on an item when there are only a few seconds remaining in the auction.

I was watching 5 separate auctions for 1 bowl that goes with my china. I ad been bidding but dropped out when they went over 30 bucks each because I know they can be bought for just over 30 bucks.

The auctions all ended late this afternoon. Each one ending about 15 to 30 seconds after the previous one.

One person won all five auctions. Each bid had been entered exactly 7 seconds before the end of the auction. Sounds to me like she / he was using one of these programs.

Since the programs can be had so cheaply, how long will it be before almost everyone has one? And how will that change the bidding?

I would really like to know what other ebayers think.

 

[ErikdaRed]

Who cares, write a better program so you can win. Or petition ebay to automatically extend auctions by 15mins any time a bid is entered.

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

I was going to say that from a programming stand point it is not a difficult concept, prolly why it is so cheap. I read some where that not knowing a computer language in 20 years will be the equivilant to not knowing the national laungage and living in that country. IE: living in the US and not speaking english.......Kinda scary huh?

 

[montessori]

Originally posted by ErikdaRed
Who cares, write a better program so you can win. Or petition ebay to automatically extend auctions by 15mins any time a bid is entered.

 

[Towncrier]

There's a website out there that will do the same thing on an auction by auction basis. You give them your max bid and they wait until the last possible second to place that bid for you.

I have found that the only way to win Ebay auctions is to be a sniper (or slammer as we like to call ourselves around here). I rarely place a bid on an item until a minute (or less) before the auction is over. Otherwise, I find myself in a bidding war.

 

[joshsmom]

Originally posted by Towncrier
I have found that the only way to win Ebay auctions is to be a sniper (or slammer as we like to call ourselves around here). I rarely place a bid on an item until a minute (or less) before the auction is over. Otherwise, I find myself in a bidding war.

I do the very same thing. My sister said that it is not good etiquette. Well, what can I say? Miss manners I'm not. But if you use the "bid early, bid often" method, the price shoots up. If you wait until the last possible moment, there's no time for a bidding war.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by ErikdaRed
Who cares, write a better program so you can win. Or petition ebay to automatically extend auctions by 15mins any time a bid is entered.

And good morning. A cup of coffee maybe??

 

[montessori]

Maybe this will be the best way to win a bid sometime soon but I have won MANY MANY MANY auctions on Ebay and I've never sniped or slammed.
I tried using one of those sites once. I can't remember what happened but somehow it got all messed up and I won the auction on my own.

I don't like the sniping (through a website) concept at all.
If you do it yourself, that's different.


I've pretty much redone my whole house through Ebay...
couches, rugs, lamps, art work, Fiestaware, garbage disposal, kitchen faucet, bar stools (4 Pottery Barn barstools with pads for $300 local pickup), many enameled copper dishes (my daughter's collection), and I just got my husband some great brand new Levi's for $5.00!
I love buying on Ebay but I THINK I'm just about done.

 

[zurgswife]

I have only bid on 2 items and both of them I bid in the last few seconds to make sure I won. and i did so I consider my self sniping pretty good...

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I have no problem with it. I've lost things to sniping, and won things by sniping. I doubt ebay will do anything to change it--what's the point of having an end time if you can't bid up to the last second? Besides, its part of what makes the auction experience exciting--kinda like the last few minutes of a close football game.

 

[montessori]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I have no problem with it. I've lost things to sniping, and won things by sniping. I doubt ebay will do anything to change it--what's the point of having an end time if you can't bid up to the last second? Besides, its part of what makes the auction experience exciting--kinda like the last few minutes of a close football game.

It's the sniping programs that I don't like.
THAT takes away the fun and excitement.
The bidder doesn't even have to go on Ebay after entering their maximum bid through the sniping web site, the program will bid for them at the last second.
I can't be near my computer MOST of the time.
But, it hasn't stopped me from winning lots of bids yet!

 

[ErikdaRed]

Its better living through technology. I always though that having an auction with a preset end time was pretty silly anyways, because it encourages just such behavior. The simple solution is what I posted above, have a set end time, but it moves to be 15 mins after the last bid. Then the current snipers, or thier programs can fight it out until the one that wants it more gets it.

As for my "who cares" comment, your whining about something that is perfectly legal just because you don't want to do it and it puts you at a disadvantage. Just pony up the dough for the program, or download a web crawler and modify it yourself, no more problem.

 

[wendyl]

Gee--this thread is starting to smell like a:

 

[faithinkarma]

Gee--this thread is starting to smell like a:

Why on earth would you say something like that????????????

Do you really think I would come in here and post over FIVE THOUSAND times so I could be a troll and start a thread about ebay?

Goos grief....I was just curious to know what people thought about the programs.

Apparently there is a secret handbook of posting rules I am unaware of.

 

[mep319]

I think she was just kidding....

there are many website out there that do it for free or charge a nominal fee...don't waste your money on purchasing a program....see this website sniping . It list many of the more popular sites and their cost...if any. If it is something I REALLY want I'll use Bidnapper...I find them to be the best. If it is something I'm willing to take a chance on I go with Auctiontamer b/c it is free. Personally guys as a seller....keep bidding w/out a service...I make more money!! .

 

[wendyl]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
Why on earth would you say something like that????????????

Do you really think I would come in here and post over FIVE THOUSAND times so I could be a troll and start a thread about ebay?

Goos grief....I was just curious to know what people thought about the programs.

I was refering to Erikdared responses to your postt--I thought they were unnecessarily rude--I would not classify any of your thoughts as "whining" as he had indicated--and it bothers me when people can't disagree without being insulting. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOUR POST. I AM SO SORRY YOU THOUGHT I MEANT YOU WHEN I SUGGESTED A TROLL WAS AROUND!!!

 

[faithinkarma]

I was so affronted at the idea of being called a troll, that I did not stop to think that perhaps you were not refering to the OP.

I truly appreciate anyone who values civility.

And thanks for sticking up for me

 

[Robinrs]

Okay, I confess. I SNIPE!

Why? Because I don't have the time or inclination to sit by the computer to bid the last second on something I really want! During Christmas most of my son's gifts were sniped items because I'd find them, set them up to snipe and continue on with my life.

I've won and lost because I only figured in the MOST I would pay and there were many times I was outbid.

I espcially did it for the ones that ended when I was asleep. I woke up to find out if I won it or not!

As a seller I've had many items sniped also. I consider it an honor!

I use a free source also, but they limit your sniping to 3 times a week. I never went over so I don't need to use the pay service.

Sure it may take the "fun" out of online auctions but the purpose of them is to sell. Sure it would be nice if they didn't exist but they do and I'm not willing to lose over and over (especially on the stuff my son likes) if someone else is using them!

 

[faithinkarma]

Sure it may take the "fun" out of online auctions but the purpose of them is to sell. Sure it would be nice if they didn't exist but they do and I'm not willing to lose over and over (especially on the stuff my son likes) if someone else is using them!

You are absolutely right. My problem is that I just feel rude doing it. Now I am not calling anyone else rude. I am Canadian, what can I say. You step on my foot, I apologize.

My husband has been telling me I have to toughen up ever since I moved here. Maybe ebay is a good place to start.

But I guess when I read about the programs I was thinking that several people could all use one on the same item, conceivably bidding the same amount at the same 7 seccond mark. I wondered what would happen then.

 

[one_cat]

I guess I'm totally lost as to what the point is... Ebay already gives you the ability to place a bid up to a maximum amount. I figure out how much I am willing to spend - the very top amount, place that bid then see how it turns out. If I get outbid or sniped I already know I wouldn't have paid that much anyway and it's not a big deal.