Snipers

John · 3rd December 2005, 06:53 AM

Although I've bidded on ebay just a negligible few times, I've peeked to see how some of the seasoned players play and learn their strategy; they always snipe. I had a similar experience as Jose. Was eyeing on a keris (one that I quite wanted) for a number of days and the auction was to end at the early hours of the morning; woke up about an hour earlier to prepare for the snipe but lo, Kai Wee just placed a bid there and I supposed prior to going to bed. Momentarily felt the sting a little and decided not to snipe. I wouldn't have felt bad if I did but on the other hand I knew I was facing a very tough competitor.

As a few have surmised that's the reality of the life but on this instance I was glad it went to a gentleman (and for a steal) who actually did earlier proposed on a strategy of bidding should buddies get interested on a similar item...

I hope all gentlemen will stay, emotions do get a little better of us at rare occasion like this but the track records are clear, most (except an odd alec) are great fellas and have contributed much eg Zelbone, Mabagani, Laban etc...

Been enjoying reading your posts and the light heartedness here and there...

Battara · 3rd December 2005, 11:55 AM

Glad you're sticking around Robert. You bring up some good questions, observations, and threads for comment.

John....I understand.

Jeff D · 3rd December 2005, 04:50 PM

I have bid on a couple items on e-bay but I have never won any. I have never sold anything there. I personally think that by my bidding on an item, in no way is equivalent to me peeing on the item marking it as my territory. This is a free market, the seller deserves the going rate.
Robert, if you ever snipe me please feel free to post it, I will be very happy to tell you why I was bidding on it.

All the Best
Jeff

VANDOO · 3rd December 2005, 08:17 PM

I JUST FINISHED BIDDING IN A ONLINE AUCTION I BID ON 12 ITEMS AND GOT ONE BUT NO WORRIES I GOT THE ONE I WANTED MOST.
IT WAS KIND OF FUNNY HERE WERE THE ALPHA MALES TEARING AT THE CARCAS, I WAS THE JACKAL LURKING OUT SIDE I MADE SEVERAL TRYS AT GETTING A MORSEL FROM THE BIG BOYS AND WAS RAN OFF. BUT FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO SNEAK IN FAST AND ESCAPE WITH A LITTLE BITE.

I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND ONE OF THE BIG ARMS AUCTIONS SOMEDAY I BET IT IS A REAL HOOT WATCHING THE TOP DEALERS SLUG IT OUT WITH THEIR GAME FACES ON. JUDGING FROM THE SPEED AND NUMBER OF BIDS ON SOME ITEMS ON THE NET IT WAS FAST AND FURIOUS.

Spunjer · 4th December 2005, 04:31 PM

oh, and another thing (since we're on this subject):

lol @ some of the members offering the seller to buy the item before the auction is over. tsk tsk

I. MUST. HAVE. THE. SWORD....

Rick · 4th December 2005, 08:08 PM

Life is way too short ; and we all as humans have many more important things to do before we shuffle off the stage .

punal · 5th December 2005, 10:36 PM

Let me butt in too! though I'm just a new bees compare to you guys.
Moro Kris swords interest me the most and I started collecting them 6 months ago. Not an easy gig! I found that ebay was the most convenient place to buy them, they're not cheap, but compare most antique sword dealers that had contacted, I prefer ebay. Beware though, you got'ta be willing to break your piggy bank opened because this peices cost an arm and a leg. Yes, years back, you could probably buy a museum grade sword for $100-200? but that was then.

I might be one of those guys a few are refering to, offering sellers to close their listing early! but why not! people are intittled to buy what they want as long as they can afford it! and that what's ebay's for! bid any amount
you want as long as you can sustained it! I understand that we are brothers in this field alright, but isn't it, true brothers gives way! besides, we are all in the midst of a hunt, what I'm trying to say is, I rather have one of our forum brothers get the things that I like but can not afford, and then share it us/me later on...

Ebay's world is not first come first serve basis! it will not waive because you only have this much! but it will sell to someone who wants it more. . . sorry guys if I snaged the swords you've been eyeing on, can't help it, I like it to...
but may be next time I'll yield!

BluErf · 6th December 2005, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Was eyeing on a keris (one that I quite wanted) for a number of days and the auction was to end at the early hours of the morning; woke up about an hour earlier to prepare for the snipe but lo, Kai Wee just placed a bid there and I supposed prior to going to bed. Momentarily felt the sting a little and decided not to snipe. I wouldn't have felt bad if I did but on the other hand I knew I was facing a very tough competitor.

I just came back from my wisdom tooth extraction surgery. The anasthesia is beginning to wear off and the pain is starting to creep in...

Haven't been really reading this post, but I can empathize with the strong emotions felt when one sees someone familiar throwing in a bid on an item that has been eyed for days. But there's no easy resolution to such a situation and it also depends on how badly the person wants the item. Very sorry if I have sniped things that any of the fellow forumnites had wanted. Sometimes, I don't know which ebay ID is who in the forum, really.

*Ouch* pain... pain...

John · 6th December 2005, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

Haven't been really reading this post, but I can empathize with the strong emotions felt when one sees someone familiar throwing in a bid on an item that has been eyed for days. But there's no easy resolution to such a situation and it also depends on how badly the person wants the item. Very sorry if I have sniped things that any of the fellow forumnites had wanted. Sometimes, I don't know which ebay ID is who in the forum, really.

*Ouch* pain... pain...

Personally I'm of the view "may the best man win" should there be an item one very badly wanted in an open auction. But I let it pass if I see a forumite that I know well has placed a bid and if I do not want the item as badly.

BTW Kai Wee, congrats on winning the luk 5 malela (or carita?). A super piece and another great steal. Saw that yesterday and was hoping one of the forumites pick it up. I'll be taking a long pause from keris collecting to concentrate on antiquities but will still be lurking and surfing to stay in touch...

Andrew · 6th December 2005, 05:42 AM

I snipe every auction. No exceptions. And everyone who knows my eBay handle knows this. Lately, I've taken to placing an early, low bid to tip off those friends that I'll be back exactly 6 seconds before the auction close, and I'll be packin' heat.

There is a small group of folks I will consult with prior to bidding on certain items, to guage relative levels of interest. I won't waste my time bidding on something someone else just has to have. This isn't false collegiality, it's good business, in my opinion.

Yannis · 6th December 2005, 05:10 PM

Very good thread

I know the Ebay id for very few members of the forum. Except one or two persons that I have a more close relation I have no problem to bid against the others or even snipe them. They have done the same to me, no problem.

Andrew is honest when he says

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

There is a small group of folks I will consult with prior to bidding on certain items, to guage relative levels of interest. I won't waste my time bidding on something someone else just has to have. This isn't false collegiality, it's good business, in my opinion.

I am not in such group, but if someone ask my opinion for an item I will not have a problem to share it. If I am lucky he will pay back the favor some other time. It happened few times.

Bill M · 7th December 2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

I snipe every auction. No exceptions. And everyone who knows my eBay handle knows this.

Me too. I usually take a look at something I want and then place my maximum bid with the sniper software. It will hit in the last 6 to 4 seconds.

Usually I don't know who is bidding against me because I don't follow the auctions that much once I have placed a bid.

I have beaten a few Forumites here, and in some cases have emailed the bidder and offered it to them for my bid unless I was really in love with it.

And, hey, I have been sniped also. My first eBay auction. A wonderful CHinese wedding bed went for a dollar more than my highest bid. WOW! That hurt!

But now I realize that the winning bidder could have bid hundreds of dollars more than me and only had to beat my bid by a dollar.

So I throw out the line and see what gets caught. No offense intended to anyone.

But I have been "shadowed" and have gotten into a "testestosterone war" with other bidders inching the price up.

I do not care to play that game. Just set my bid and go do other things. See what I have caught when the auction is over and eBay sends me a message:

"YOU WON!" Now pay the seller.

"YOU WERE OUTBID" Here is a list of more stuff. Go and bid some more.

erlikhan · 7th December 2005, 03:49 PM

Is it completely free according to ebay rules to use sniper software? Some say they would ban if they catch you sniping with software or would cancel your winning bid. And more important, is it safe to give your ebay name and password to the sniping sites?

regards

Rick · 7th December 2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erlikhan

Is it completely free according to ebay rules to use sniper software? Some say they would ban if they catch you sniping with software or would cancel your winning bid. And more important, is it safe to give your ebay name and password to the sniping sites?

regards

Here's an ebay forum thread on sniping Erlikhan :
http://forums.ebay.com/search.jspa?o...iping+software

VANDOO · 7th December 2005, 03:57 PM

I GUESS HAVING THE SNIPEING SOFTWARE WOULD BE THE BEST THING CONSIDERING THAT IT EXHISTS AND PROFESSENIAL SELLERS USE IT. A PERSON SITTING AT HIS KEYBOARD HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF BEATING IT NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU TYPE. IT MAKES THE WHOLE AUCTION IMPERSONEL LIKE SEEING WHAT YOU WANT AT THE PREVIEW, LEAVING ABSENTEE BIDS AND NOT ATTENDING THE AUCTION. JUST READ YOUR EMAIL CLEAN OUT THE LOSSES AND PAY THE WINS EVERY SO OFTEN AND DO MORE PLESANT THINGS THAN SITTING IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER POISED TO TYPE.

I WONDER IF LIQUOR SALES ARE UP? A GUY GETS HAMMERED ON EBAY HAS A DRINK TO KILL THE PAIN, BIDS AGAIN GETS HAMMERED HAS A DRINK AND SO ON. AHA!! PERHAPS THATS WHY THE PRICES KEEP GOING UP ON EVERYTHING ON EBAY. STOP THE DRINKING GUYS YOURE KILLING ME

CharlesS · 7th December 2005, 04:15 AM

Like many of us I have been on both sides of the sniper routine...won some, lost some. I can honestly say that when I put forth a sniper bid it is usually done at least 12 hours before the end of the auction, and I don't have a clue whose bidding, as I just wait to hear the results.

I do have a small group of forumites I confer with about items of mutual interest. I've stood down more than once, as have they.

Like so many of you, I am not sure there is a simple solution to this, but I do not believe that accusations or anger are beneficial.

6th December 2005, 05:42 AM	#10
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I snipe every auction. No exceptions. And everyone who knows my eBay handle knows this. Lately, I've taken to placing an early, low bid to tip off those friends that I'll be back exactly 6 seconds before the auction close, and I'll be packin' heat. There is a small group of folks I will consult with prior to bidding on certain items, to guage relative levels of interest. I won't waste my time bidding on something someone else just has to have. This isn't false collegiality, it's good business, in my opinion. Last edited by Andrew; 6th December 2005 at 06:00 AM.

3rd December 2005, 06:53 AM	#1
John Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Land below the wind Posts: 135	Although I've bidded on ebay just a negligible few times, I've peeked to see how some of the seasoned players play and learn their strategy; they always snipe. I had a similar experience as Jose. Was eyeing on a keris (one that I quite wanted) for a number of days and the auction was to end at the early hours of the morning; woke up about an hour earlier to prepare for the snipe but lo, Kai Wee just placed a bid there and I supposed prior to going to bed. Momentarily felt the sting a little and decided not to snipe. I wouldn't have felt bad if I did but on the other hand I knew I was facing a very tough competitor. As a few have surmised that's the reality of the life but on this instance I was glad it went to a gentleman (and for a steal) who actually did earlier proposed on a strategy of bidding should buddies get interested on a similar item... I hope all gentlemen will stay, emotions do get a little better of us at rare occasion like this but the track records are clear, most (except an odd alec) are great fellas and have contributed much eg Zelbone, Mabagani, Laban etc... Been enjoying reading your posts and the light heartedness here and there...

3rd December 2005, 11:55 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,316	Glad you're sticking around Robert. You bring up some good questions, observations, and threads for comment. John....I understand.

3rd December 2005, 04:50 PM	#3
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	I have bid on a couple items on e-bay but I have never won any. I have never sold anything there. I personally think that by my bidding on an item, in no way is equivalent to me peeing on the item marking it as my territory. This is a free market, the seller deserves the going rate. Robert, if you ever snipe me please feel free to post it, I will be very happy to tell you why I was bidding on it. All the Best Jeff

3rd December 2005, 08:17 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I JUST FINISHED BIDDING IN A ONLINE AUCTION I BID ON 12 ITEMS AND GOT ONE BUT NO WORRIES I GOT THE ONE I WANTED MOST. IT WAS KIND OF FUNNY HERE WERE THE ALPHA MALES TEARING AT THE CARCAS, I WAS THE JACKAL LURKING OUT SIDE I MADE SEVERAL TRYS AT GETTING A MORSEL FROM THE BIG BOYS AND WAS RAN OFF. BUT FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO SNEAK IN FAST AND ESCAPE WITH A LITTLE BITE. I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND ONE OF THE BIG ARMS AUCTIONS SOMEDAY I BET IT IS A REAL HOOT WATCHING THE TOP DEALERS SLUG IT OUT WITH THEIR GAME FACES ON. JUDGING FROM THE SPEED AND NUMBER OF BIDS ON SOME ITEMS ON THE NET IT WAS FAST AND FURIOUS.

4th December 2005, 04:31 PM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	oh, and another thing (since we're on this subject): lol @ some of the members offering the seller to buy the item before the auction is over. tsk tsk I. MUST. HAVE. THE. SWORD....

4th December 2005, 08:08 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	Life is way too short ; and we all as humans have many more important things to do before we shuffle off the stage .

5th December 2005, 10:36 PM	#7
punal Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 91	Let me butt in too! though I'm just a new bees compare to you guys. Moro Kris swords interest me the most and I started collecting them 6 months ago. Not an easy gig! I found that ebay was the most convenient place to buy them, they're not cheap, but compare most antique sword dealers that had contacted, I prefer ebay. Beware though, you got'ta be willing to break your piggy bank opened because this peices cost an arm and a leg. Yes, years back, you could probably buy a museum grade sword for $100-200? but that was then. I might be one of those guys a few are refering to, offering sellers to close their listing early! but why not! people are intittled to buy what they want as long as they can afford it! and that what's ebay's for! bid any amount you want as long as you can sustained it! I understand that we are brothers in this field alright, but isn't it, true brothers gives way! besides, we are all in the midst of a hunt, what I'm trying to say is, I rather have one of our forum brothers get the things that I like but can not afford, and then share it us/me later on... Ebay's world is not first come first serve basis! it will not waive because you only have this much! but it will sell to someone who wants it more. . . sorry guys if I snaged the swords you've been eyeing on, can't help it, I like it to... but may be next time I'll yield!

7th December 2005, 03:49 PM	#13
erlikhan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Istanbul Posts: 452	Is it completely free according to ebay rules to use sniper software? Some say they would ban if they catch you sniping with software or would cancel your winning bid. And more important, is it safe to give your ebay name and password to the sniping sites? regards

7th December 2005, 03:57 PM	#15
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I GUESS HAVING THE SNIPEING SOFTWARE WOULD BE THE BEST THING CONSIDERING THAT IT EXHISTS AND PROFESSENIAL SELLERS USE IT. A PERSON SITTING AT HIS KEYBOARD HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF BEATING IT NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU TYPE. IT MAKES THE WHOLE AUCTION IMPERSONEL LIKE SEEING WHAT YOU WANT AT THE PREVIEW, LEAVING ABSENTEE BIDS AND NOT ATTENDING THE AUCTION. JUST READ YOUR EMAIL CLEAN OUT THE LOSSES AND PAY THE WINS EVERY SO OFTEN AND DO MORE PLESANT THINGS THAN SITTING IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER POISED TO TYPE. I WONDER IF LIQUOR SALES ARE UP? A GUY GETS HAMMERED ON EBAY HAS A DRINK TO KILL THE PAIN, BIDS AGAIN GETS HAMMERED HAS A DRINK AND SO ON. AHA!! PERHAPS THATS WHY THE PRICES KEEP GOING UP ON EVERYTHING ON EBAY. STOP THE DRINKING GUYS YOURE KILLING ME

7th December 2005, 04:15 AM	#16
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Like many of us I have been on both sides of the sniper routine...won some, lost some. I can honestly say that when I put forth a sniper bid it is usually done at least 12 hours before the end of the auction, and I don't have a clue whose bidding, as I just wait to hear the results. I do have a small group of forumites I confer with about items of mutual interest. I've stood down more than once, as have they. Like so many of you, I am not sure there is a simple solution to this, but I do not believe that accusations or anger are beneficial.