eBay bidding question

The only bad thing I've found from setting a max bid is sometimes, after a couple of days, I change my mind and actually hope I loose. 

.

I've found that on newer items (models in this case) you generally get as good or better deals from regular on line sellers. Especially if ordering multiple items.

Older models are a different story as on line dealers rarely have older kits.

 

mitsdude

I've found that on newer items (models in this case) you generally get as good or better deals from regular on line sellers. Especially if ordering multiple items.

Older models are a different story as on line dealers rarely have older kits.

 

 

 

Let's not forget the oddball brand kits too. Sometimes finding those are a gem to have.

I usually go the "max bid" route, my max varying according to how much I want it. On the other hand I've twice now had the opposite experience. I would put in a bid on a kit, then find another one for a "Buy It Now" price that's lower than what I bid. I grab that one, thinking that I'll be outbid on the first one. Nobody bids on it at all, and now I have two. I didn't really need or want two, but I try to be philosophical about it.

There is nothing wrong with a good snipe, and snipers do not get involved in a bidding war. Snipers stay out of the bid until the last few seconds. A snipe tool is not needed, I never use one. If there is an item I want, it goes on my watch list. I only put items on my watch list that I know will end at a time I am home and on the net. If I see an item will close on a Saturday early evening and it's an item I want, it will go on the watch list and I will not place a bid until the last 10 seconds or so of the auction, and that bid will only be placed if the item is still selling for under market value. I will never over bid on anything.

spiralcity

There is nothing wrong with a good snipe, and snipers do not get involved in a bidding war. Snipers stay out of the bid until the last few seconds. A snipe tool is not needed, I never use one. If there is an item I want, it goes on my watch list. I only put items on my watch list that I know will end at a time I am home and on the net. If I see an item will close on a Saturday early evening and it's an item I want, it will go on the watch list and I will not place a bid until the last 10 seconds or so of the auction, and that bid will only be placed if the item is still selling for under market value. I will never over bid on anything.

 

Bearing in mind that first you have to make your bid and then you wait to confirm that bid in the second step, I leave it to the last 7 seconds before I place my best bid - when the timer shows 7 seconds to the end of the auction. If I win an auction, I pay the next best price, below my best bid so in some cases, I might have a saving of several hundred $, or perhaps a few $, depending on how I judged the demand for the item I bid on. We have an Import Tax and Duty free limit of A$1,000, so I have a limit on what I can buy, which was OK when the exchange rate was A$1 = US$1, but now it is roughly US$1 = A$1.50 and £1 = A$2 on eBay cost plus postage, so getting items at the right price is important...to the extent that I prefer to buy in Aussie from an Aussie e.shop, although with items not in stock here, it is very much a case of paying through the nose and hoping for the best. What costs you a £ or a US$ in your shops costs me A$1 - it is the fluctuations of the exchange rates which make overseas purchases via eBay, so challenging - hence placing my bids in the last 7 seconds. Brooker

brooker

Bearing in mind that first you have to make your bid and then you wait to confirm that bid in the second step, I leave it to the last 7 seconds before I place my best bid - when the timer shows 7 seconds to the end of the auction. If I win an auction, I pay the next best price, below my best bid so in some cases, I might have a saving of several hundred $, or perhaps a few $, depending on how I judged the demand for the item I bid on. We have an Import Tax and Duty free limit of A$1,000, so I have a limit on what I can buy, which was OK when the exchange rate was A$1 = US$1, but now it is roughly US$1 = A$1.50 and £1 = A$2 on eBay cost plus postage, so getting items at the right price is important...to the extent that I prefer to buy in Aussie from an Aussie e.shop, although with items not in stock here, it is very much a case of paying through the nose and hoping for the best. What costs you a £ or a US$ in your shops costs me A$1 - it is the fluctuations of the exchange rates which make overseas purchases via eBay, so challenging - hence placing my bids in the last 7 seconds. Brooker

 

 

Who has time to sit by a computer watching the bid timer wind down? Seriously, I've got better things to do besides watching and waiting for the  bid wind down to the last second.

I quit making bids years ago and started going the "make an offer" route. Too many users using bid sniping tools and it get frustrating at times. Screw it.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

Who has time to sit by a computer watching the bid timer wind down? Seriously, I've got better things to do besides watching and waiting for the  bid wind down to the last second.

I quit making bids years ago and started going the "make an offer" route. Too many users using bid sniping tools and it get frustrating at times. Screw it.

 

 

To answer your question: thousands of people, they bid and snipe every day. If it's not for, thats your call. I buy and sell on the bay and havent a bad thing to say about it.

Straycat1911

I'm bidding on an item on eBay today and I just got a notification someone has upped their bid. The auction ends in about three hours and I'm thinking don't respond till the last five minutes of so; lull the other bidder into complacency, maybe? 

Advice and opinions, please. 

I like to snipe, too, when I can.  If you can't, and you really want the piece, then submit your highest bid and let it roll.  Even if you don't win, you can enjoy knowing that you made your opponent pay more dearly for his win.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

Who has time to sit by a computer watching the bid timer wind down? Seriously, I've got better things to do besides watching and waiting for the  bid wind down to the last second.

I quit making bids years ago and started going the "make an offer" route. Too many users using bid sniping tools and it get frustrating at times. Screw it.

I do, sometimes, and sometimes I make time, if it's an item I have been looking for, for a long time and find the opportunity to pick it up on eBay.  And yes, if the seller is using the "make an offer" feature, I avail myself of that.  I usually offer a bid at 15% less than the asking price, and see what the seller says.  I also make use of Buy It Now, when the details of the scenario are right, for me.

But I don't judge it as a waste of time, for anyone, if he chooses to do this, or if he chooses not.  I'm sure there are those who think we're all stupid or worse for using eBay, heaping up a stash, building models.  In this case, I think it's better to say, to each, his own.

Many people bid in round numbers. When I set my maximum bid I frequently add some change: so if I'm willing to bid $25.00 I'll bid $25.07, or my maximum bid is $50.00 I'll bid $51.55. I've received some very nasty e-mails from other bidders so I think it works.

the Baron

But I don't judge it as a waste of time, for anyone, if he chooses to do this, or if he chooses not. I'm sure there are those who think we're all stupid or worse for using eBay, heaping up a stash, building models. In this case, I think it's better to say, to each, his own.

Here's the thing, we have time to post on Finescale, upload photos to Finescale, and submit WIP threads to Finescale, but no time to log onto a bid in it's last 5 minutes, especialy if it's a hard to find item? Really? At least the 5 miutes wasted on eBay is for a true gain of an item you find valuable, while posting here and wasting time gains what?

Why condem a commuinty because you simply do not use it, or do not like it, or you use it in moderation? Having stated that, I must agree with you Baron.

Jeez there's a bunch of ways to set up a snipe and not be there when it goes down.

That also has the advantage of avoiding last minutes snap decisions to up the offer.

One thing I have been buying more frequently are partially completed kits. I just got a CV-60 for $ 10.00, deck glued to hull but everything else still in the bag.

Bearing in mind that I am retired, I have all of the time in the world to be awake and do a manual snipe in the last 7 seconds of the auctions which interest me.

Using a snipe program does not work, unless the eBay auction is in the same country where you are resident - so I cannot use a snipe program from Aussie to snipe in America for example.

Since I am retired, it pays me to drive my A$ further by getting a discounted model from an auction, than paying top price for it from an eBay shop.

Given the exchange rates between Aussie and US, UK and Europe, it would be worth while for anyone interested in models and kits for sale, to consider buying them now from Aussie , because the exchange rates are very much in your favour - for example Aussie kits would be 50% cheaper, or less, simply by the exchange rate, however do check the postage costs, before committing to buy and if you click ad when you "add to watch list" in eBay and check, the price in your currency is provided automatically  - PayPal do the exchange rate automatically, in their payment structure.

Richard

GMorrison

Jeez there's a bunch of ways to set up a snipe and not be there when it goes down.

That also has the advantage of avoiding last minutes snap decisions to up the offer.

One thing I have been buying more frequently are partially completed kits. I just got a CV-60 for $ 10.00, deck glued to hull but everything else still in the bag.

 

If you do not want to be there, you do not have to, but there is no big deal in being there, thats the point. I have time, so do many others, so what? I dont feel any time is wasted, thats the other point. Im on here and Nscale more often then I spend time sniping. I spend much more time visiting forums than waiting 5 minutes for an auction to end. I would guess my time is mine to spend as I chose? And who is going to go nuts and waste money just because they wait for an auction to end? Thats just plain silly and unrealistic. I'm sure most of us are responsible adults and know the market value of what we want, or are you assuming otherwise?

I know otherwise, and not just from personal experience. That's a phenomenon often discussed. The bidder sets his maximum bid at $ 30.00, the minimum goes to $ 30.50, there's about a minute left and what the heck, a buck or two more can't hurt.

It happens all the time, just judging from the number of folks who then lament that they paid "too much". You certainly are entitled to your opinion, but you're wrong.

If you are immune to it, I salute you.

As for setting a snipe, I have no need to be sitting at a computer at dinner time for an auction that ends at 1800. I've got a life.

Yes if an auction ends at a value that exceeds the budget, best not be involved. But there are a lot of auctions which go un noticed, and the one bidder never gets outbid and is sitting on a real deal at the end. What I never understand is why a second or third bidder come in days early. Why tip your hand?

 

GMorrison

 What I never understand is why a second or third bidder come in days early. Why tip your hand?

 

 

I will do this from time to time to gauge the interest of the other bidders.

Proud to say that I manually sniped someone in the last 3 seconds. My bid was a paltry 51cents over theirs. Happy camper.

Nice going! Wondered who grabbed my prize...

Kidding!