Curious 'bout Ebaiter

EyeSpy · 04-18-2010, 09:08 AM

Bidder Information
Bidder: l***r( 35137)
Feedback: 100%Positive
that bidder has some deep pockets to get over 35,000 feedback posts.
I'm bidding on a lens and this guy bids...have to wonder if he really needs or even wants the lens... Do you supoose this is one of those auto bid bots?

JeffJS · 04-18-2010, 09:58 AM

Chances are pretty fair that the guy wants what ever it is for resale with that type of feedback. Ebay will automatically increment your bid until you have been out bid. Say you bid $100 on an auction that started at $1. You aren't willing to pay any more than that so that was your starting and final number. Your bid is entered at $1 with a top offer of $100. Bidder B comes along and starts chipping away at it. Your bid will increment from that original $1 until bidder B, exceeds $100. Then you are out bid. (This is why I never put in an early bid)

The Other way to do it, is to use a sniper which is what you may be thinking of. Generally, they are used for last second bidding. Other than another sniper, there is no defense against them.

**gofour3** · 04-18-2010, 10:14 AM

It will be an eBay reseller with that high of a feedback score. They bid on lots of items, then mark up the price and resell the item. They will have thousands of items available in their online store.

Phil.

**boriscleto** · 04-18-2010, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by JeffJS

Chances are pretty fair that the guy wants what ever it is for resale with that type of feedback. Ebay will automatically increment your bid until you have been out bid. Say you bid $100 on an auction that started at $1. You aren't willing to pay any more than that so that was your starting and final number. Your bid is entered at $1 with a top offer of $100. Bidder B comes along and starts chipping away at it. Your bid will increment from that original $1 until bidder B, exceeds $100. Then you are out bid. (This is why I never put in an early bid)

The Other way to do it, is to use a sniper which is what you may be thinking of. Generally, they are used for last second bidding. Other than another sniper, there is no defense against them.

I have the exact opposite approach. I know exactly how much I am willing to pay for something and put that bid in as soon as possible. If someone else is willing to pay more so be it. I don't worry about snipers, if the sniper is willing to pay more than I am they are welcome to it.

JeffJS · 04-18-2010, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

I have the exact opposite approach. I know exactly how much I am willing to pay for something and put that bid in as soon as possible. If someone else is willing to pay more so be it. I don't worry about snipers, if the sniper is willing to pay more than I am they are welcome to it.

Different strokes. The sniper keeps a constant watch on the auction and the Snipe can be set up at any time. If the amount is out bid during the course of the auction, a notification is sent. At that time, I can increase the bid amount or let it go. I put in the same amount with a sniper that I would with a regular bid. The difference is, there is nothing there for people to chip away at and in many cases, I get the item for far less than my top bid. What happens is, bidder A puts in his bid, and it just sits there. Bidder B might come along and test the waters a little bit. Either A or B believe they have it in the bag. With 1 or 2 seconds remaining, MY bid is placed. If it wins, great. If not, fine, it wasn't meant to be so move on to the next one. If I decide during the course of the auction that I've changed my mind, I can cancel the snipe and there is no ebay record of my ever having bid and then retracted. Do what ever works for you, that works for me.

basso4735 · 04-18-2010, 11:27 AM

The thing I really hate is losing the auction by a dollar due to the "snipers".

parsons · 04-18-2010, 12:40 PM

l***r( 35137)

my guess is loser

as in no life. clearly he wins lots of ebay things

Sluggo · 04-18-2010, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by basso4735

The thing I really hate is losing the auction by a dollar due to the "snipers".

But when that happens, you have to admit the sniper was willing to pay at least a dollar more than you were. So it's not unfair, though I admit the psychology of it can be irritating.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-18-2010, 08:49 PM

Originally posted by basso4735

The thing I really hate is losing the auction by a dollar due to the "snipers".

Second place will always lose by something between a penny and the minimum bid increment for that bid level. For items selling for between $25 and $100, that's $1. If the winner beats you by less than the minimum bid increment, that was his top bid. If he beat you by the minimum bid increment, no one except him knows how much he really was willing to pay.

Like Jeff, I snipe. My rule is I do it live. If I miss an item, on to the next.

JeffJS · 04-18-2010, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

Second place will always lose by something between a penny and the minimum bid increment for that bid level. For items selling for between $25 and $100, that's $1. If the winner beats you by less than the minimum bid increment, that was his top bid. If he beat you by the minimum bid increment, no one except him knows how much he really was willing to pay.

Like Jeff, I snipe. My rule is I do it live. If I miss an item, on to the next.

I'll go live too if it's something I run across in the about to end list. It has become a lot easier to do now that Ebay has put the count down timer feature in. Before that, my fastest one was about 4 seconds remaining, guessing at the actual time, counting down from 1 minute. The reason I use an auto sniper is I am usually not at a computer when an auction for something I want is ending. The key to it is to bid just above the increment in your final price range.

Blue · 05-18-2010, 09:29 AM

I know this thread is a month old, but I have a question. Do you guys that use a sniper feel comfortable giving them your ebay name and password?

Mechan1k · 05-18-2010, 01:17 PM

I don't use a program ... I actually personally snipe ... and try and get the timing right. And hope i don't get lag in my internet connection right at the last second.

Adam · 05-18-2010, 02:30 PM

Moved this to general talk.

JeffJS · 05-18-2010, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by Blue

I know this thread is a month old, but I have a question. Do you guys that use a sniper feel comfortable giving them your ebay name and password?

Never been an issue for me.

Blue · 05-18-2010, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by Mechan1k

I don't use a program ... I actually personally snipe ... and try and get the timing right. And hope i don't get lag in my internet connection right at the last second.

So do I, but it is not always convenient to be at the computer at 3:01 am or when you have to be elsewhere.

Originally posted by JeffJS

Never been an issue for me.

Giving out a password seems to go in the face of logic and convention. I guess there is no other way for it to work though.

04-18-2010, 09:08 AM	#1
EyeSpy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Albums Posts: 663	Curious 'bout Ebaiter Bidder Information Bidder: l***r( 35137) Feedback: 100%Positive that bidder has some deep pockets to get over 35,000 feedback posts. I'm bidding on a lens and this guy bids...have to wonder if he really needs or even wants the lens... Do you supoose this is one of those auto bid bots?

05-18-2010, 02:30 PM	#13
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Moved this to general talk. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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04-18-2010, 09:58 AM	#2
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Chances are pretty fair that the guy wants what ever it is for resale with that type of feedback. Ebay will automatically increment your bid until you have been out bid. Say you bid $100 on an auction that started at $1. You aren't willing to pay any more than that so that was your starting and final number. Your bid is entered at $1 with a top offer of $100. Bidder B comes along and starts chipping away at it. Your bid will increment from that original $1 until bidder B, exceeds $100. Then you are out bid. (This is why I never put in an early bid) The Other way to do it, is to use a sniper which is what you may be thinking of. Generally, they are used for last second bidding. Other than another sniper, there is no defense against them.

04-18-2010, 10:14 AM	#3
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	It will be an eBay reseller with that high of a feedback score. They bid on lots of items, then mark up the price and resell the item. They will have thousands of items available in their online store. Phil.

04-18-2010, 10:35 AM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by JeffJS Chances are pretty fair that the guy wants what ever it is for resale with that type of feedback. Ebay will automatically increment your bid until you have been out bid. Say you bid $100 on an auction that started at $1. You aren't willing to pay any more than that so that was your starting and final number. Your bid is entered at $1 with a top offer of $100. Bidder B comes along and starts chipping away at it. Your bid will increment from that original $1 until bidder B, exceeds $100. Then you are out bid. (This is why I never put in an early bid) The Other way to do it, is to use a sniper which is what you may be thinking of. Generally, they are used for last second bidding. Other than another sniper, there is no defense against them. I have the exact opposite approach. I know exactly how much I am willing to pay for something and put that bid in as soon as possible. If someone else is willing to pay more so be it. I don't worry about snipers, if the sniper is willing to pay more than I am they are welcome to it.

04-18-2010, 10:50 AM	#5
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by boriscleto I have the exact opposite approach. I know exactly how much I am willing to pay for something and put that bid in as soon as possible. If someone else is willing to pay more so be it. I don't worry about snipers, if the sniper is willing to pay more than I am they are welcome to it. Different strokes. The sniper keeps a constant watch on the auction and the Snipe can be set up at any time. If the amount is out bid during the course of the auction, a notification is sent. At that time, I can increase the bid amount or let it go. I put in the same amount with a sniper that I would with a regular bid. The difference is, there is nothing there for people to chip away at and in many cases, I get the item for far less than my top bid. What happens is, bidder A puts in his bid, and it just sits there. Bidder B might come along and test the waters a little bit. Either A or B believe they have it in the bag. With 1 or 2 seconds remaining, MY bid is placed. If it wins, great. If not, fine, it wasn't meant to be so move on to the next one. If I decide during the course of the auction that I've changed my mind, I can cancel the snipe and there is no ebay record of my ever having bid and then retracted. Do what ever works for you, that works for me.

04-18-2010, 11:27 AM	#6
basso4735 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: MA Posts: 133	The thing I really hate is losing the auction by a dollar due to the "snipers".

04-18-2010, 12:40 PM	#7
parsons Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 389	l***r( 35137) my guess is loser as in no life. clearly he wins lots of ebay things

04-18-2010, 06:37 PM	#8
Sluggo Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ames, Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 774	Originally posted by basso4735 The thing I really hate is losing the auction by a dollar due to the "snipers". But when that happens, you have to admit the sniper was willing to pay at least a dollar more than you were. So it's not unfair, though I admit the psychology of it can be irritating.

04-18-2010, 08:49 PM	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by basso4735 The thing I really hate is losing the auction by a dollar due to the "snipers". Second place will always lose by something between a penny and the minimum bid increment for that bid level. For items selling for between $25 and $100, that's $1. If the winner beats you by less than the minimum bid increment, that was his top bid. If he beat you by the minimum bid increment, no one except him knows how much he really was willing to pay. Like Jeff, I snipe. My rule is I do it live. If I miss an item, on to the next.

04-18-2010, 09:04 PM	#10
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave Second place will always lose by something between a penny and the minimum bid increment for that bid level. For items selling for between $25 and $100, that's $1. If the winner beats you by less than the minimum bid increment, that was his top bid. If he beat you by the minimum bid increment, no one except him knows how much he really was willing to pay. Like Jeff, I snipe. My rule is I do it live. If I miss an item, on to the next. I'll go live too if it's something I run across in the about to end list. It has become a lot easier to do now that Ebay has put the count down timer feature in. Before that, my fastest one was about 4 seconds remaining, guessing at the actual time, counting down from 1 minute. The reason I use an auto sniper is I am usually not at a computer when an auction for something I want is ending. The key to it is to bid just above the increment in your final price range.

05-18-2010, 09:29 AM	#11
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I know this thread is a month old, but I have a question. Do you guys that use a sniper feel comfortable giving them your ebay name and password?

05-18-2010, 01:17 PM	#12
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	I don't use a program ... I actually personally snipe ... and try and get the timing right. And hope i don't get lag in my internet connection right at the last second.

05-18-2010, 03:35 PM	#14
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Blue I know this thread is a month old, but I have a question. Do you guys that use a sniper feel comfortable giving them your ebay name and password? Never been an issue for me.

05-18-2010, 04:33 PM	#15
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Mechan1k I don't use a program ... I actually personally snipe ... and try and get the timing right. And hope i don't get lag in my internet connection right at the last second. So do I, but it is not always convenient to be at the computer at 3:01 am or when you have to be elsewhere. Originally posted by JeffJS Never been an issue for me. Giving out a password seems to go in the face of logic and convention. I guess there is no other way for it to work though.