I use Auction Sentry, a bidding application that you install and run
resident on your home computer. One time cost (no recurring fees),
very quickly and automatically updated with changes to the ebay
website, and most important of all, you don't give your ebay ID and
password to any third party. Also, if you watch and/or bid on a
large number of auctions, it is far far far more efficient setting up
those bids on Auction Sentry than with any web-based sniping service.
You just need a fast stable secure computer and a broadband internet
connection.
There are so many arguments for sniping and against bidding any other
way, and it's not worth repeating them all again. Even people I know
who used to brag about only bidding manually have eventually come
around asking sheepishly, "What was the name of that sniping software
again?" So, I basically only do automated snipes. In fact if you
ever see that I've placed a bid on an auction that still has some
time to go, it probably means that I'm just playing around and not
actually particularly interested in whether I win it or not. I'd
never announce my interest in advance on anything up for grabs on
ebay that I was making a serious play for.
As far as ebay differing from a live auction, absolutely it's very
different. And therefore, there's clearly no reason bidders should
use the same strategies as with a live auction. As I believe Kirby
once put it, ebay is like a game of 'beat the clock', so sniping is a
natural response to that system. It shouldn't be viewed pejoratively.
As far as the theory that sniping leads to lower realized prices for
sellers, well I would sure like to see that substantiated. Perhapas
it's true sometimes, but my experience has been that, with really
desirable pieces, bids come in so fast and furious in the last few
seconds that the winning bid can be significantly more than what the
piece usually goes for. And maybe, more than people would be
inclined to pay, were they actually taking the time to think about it.
Randy
---------------------------------------
At 1:34 PM +1100 2/17/06, Natalie Elliott wrote:
Hmm, I've used JustSnipe for quite some time now, and
the only time I've ever had problems was when the
problems were at my end (ebay account, etc). I sure as
hell can't imagine PAYING to use a sniping service!
I'd snipe manually, but that just isn't worth it on
dial up with bad phone lines, everyone else has
braodband and there's no way I can compete with that.
I've only just "discovered" the watch list. I use it
for the things I have no interest in bidding on. I
bookmark anything I AM interested in.
Natalie
--- Cindy Nemeth-Johannes
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Good article, J.R.
I'm a bit embarrassed, though.
I do it to keep from getting carried away with
auction fever. I only do it
with something I really want, about three times a
year. And often, I've
found, since I use JustSnipe's freebies, that I'm
disappointed when it
doesn't actually manage to get the bid placed.
Cindy.
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