Are There Secret Bidders On Ebay?

[JotterAddict62]

On ebay nibbling to me it's like at a live auction, I just keep my bidding card up until they or I give in.

When I'm home and going to bid on a item in the last few seconds I'll place my bid. No auto sniping here just me bidding.

When I know that I will not be home when something that catches my eye I will place my max bid and find out when I get home

on the outcome. Win or lose at least I played.

 

Remember when the pen gods say that it's your turn to get that pen you will get that pen...

 

The pen gods have their list on which pen the we get in turn.

 

 

Ken

[stephanos]

Very interesting thread. Good to see people's preferred strategies explained - and the underlying reasons for them. For me, one of the most interesting elements has been the simple-but-useful explanation that eBay operates (semi-transparent) Dutch rather than Sotheby's style auctions.

 

Personally, I have never used sniping software/services, and don't plan to. Having said that, I have no problem with entering my maximum bid late in an auction (to me, the need to be both awake and at my computer at the end of an auction, strikes a good balance between fair play and effectiveness). And if that means that something happens in the last minute to prevent me from bidding (e.g., my slightly dodgy internet connection playing up), then so be it.

 

I have learned that it is a very bad idea to enter my maximum bid too soon, unless I am going to step away from the machine. That is, it is very dangerous to have my maximum bid trumped by a small amount, with enough time left on the auction for me to rebid higher. This is because adrenaline and my reptile brain conspire in the heat of the moment to give me very bad advice about the advisability of placing a bid well above my budget.

[JonSzanto]

I have learned that it is a very bad idea to enter my maximum bid too soon, unless I am going to step away from the machine. That is, it is very dangerous to have my maximum bid trumped by a small amount, with enough time left on the auction for me to rebid higher. This is because adrenaline and my reptile brain conspire in the heat of the moment to give me very bad advice about the advisability of placing a bid well above my budget.

 

Yep: emotional bidding. Never a good way to go.