Bidding on Ebay

[Pete F.]

Just snipe, it's easier and cheaper than getting in bidding wars. Snipe it at what you want to pay for it, if you get it good, if not try again. If it's something you "have" to have bid her to the moon or till your pocketbook can't stand it.

[Grapenuts]

I..O is a newbie to bidding only bidding a few bucks at a time to see if he or she can out bid the person with a higher bid which most times does you no good ,he could bid 40 times to try to out bid the person higher then him...it's something newbies do.

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Just snipe, it's easier and cheaper than getting in bidding wars. Snipe it at what you want to pay for it, if you get it good, if not try again. If it's something you "have" to have bid her to the moon or till your pocketbook can't stand it.

Thats what I've done several times. It has worked out a few times, and not. No big deal.

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

Just snipe, it's easier and cheaper than getting in bidding wars. Snipe it at what you want to pay for it, if you get it good, if not try again. If it's something you "have" to have bid her to the moon or till your pocketbook can't stand it.

Agree....
I Snipe ... only newbe's get in bidding wars with 6 days left .. Redonkulus .. Just brings attention to the item with the high bid count .. The seasoned bidders will be weighing in with 30 seconds left . Figure the top dollar your willing to pay then snipe . If you get it cheaper good for you ..

[1dozenraw]

Originally Posted by Tagger

Agree....
I Snipe ... only newbe's get in bidding wars with 6 days left .. Redonkulus .. Just brings attention to the item with the high bid count .. The seasoned bidders will be weighing in with 30 seconds left . Figure the top dollar your willing to pay then snipe . If you get it cheaper good for you ..

Exactly. I learned this from a good friend in the antiques business (he makes his living this way). He previews auctions and leaves bids. The auction house notifies him if he wins. With snipe I do the same. I see the item, decide what I'm willing to pay and forget about it. When I get something I'm pleased. When I don't... it went for more than I wanted to pay. I've been on ebay since 1999 and have over 1200 transaction.. it's been great and taught me a lot. I have no issues with it.

The bidding you describe is very common. A bidder chasing an item or a high bid. I really don't think shill bidding works all that well on ebay so I don't think it is as common as some believe. Often what is described as an example of shill bidding is the reaction of someone who did not win and is not happy.

Decide what you'll pay and leave the bid late in the game.