Options for sniping on ebay

[espeed]

Have you guys ever used ebay sniping software? (ie. let you bid a certain price at the last minute, but you program this ahead of time so that you don't have to sit there and wait)

If so, are there any free ones out there?

What would you recommend?

thanks

[felix]

I don't believe there are any decent free ones, and the most popular I believe is Auction Sentry. And Auction Sentry Deluxe if you need features like group bidding (very useful!). Whatever you choose, remember to check their revision history because you want one with frequent updates as soon as eBay makes any changes on the site, which happens quite often (or else you could miss sniping the auction).

[B40]

www.auctionstealer.com - 3 free snipes per week, 10 second snipes

[espeed]

www.auctionstealer.com - 3 free snipes per week, 10 second snipes

Have you used auctionstealer before?
Cuz they ask for your ebay userid and password which I expected, but I dont' want to give out my info unless I know it's safe and confirmed by other RFDers

can anyone confirm that they've used this or any other free service for sniping on ebay?

[canabiz]

I've used Vrane.com services and it's pretty solid

I think you have 1 free bid every day so hopefully you don't have more than 1 auction ending today!

[UrbanPoet]

i do it the old fashion way. wait till about 15 seconds before the auction ends and BID!

[B40]

Have you used auctionstealer before?
Cuz they ask for your ebay userid and password which I expected, but I dont' want to give out my info unless I know it's safe and confirmed by other RFDers

can anyone confirm that they've used this or any other free service for sniping on ebay?

Yes I've been using it for a few years now.

[blizzah]

i do it the old fashion way. wait till about 15 seconds before the auction ends and BID!

Its the fun way at least =|

[reidjr]

i do it the old fashion way. wait till about 15 seconds before the auction ends and BID!

Some people have to work etc and can't be at a computer.

[poedua]

i do it the old fashion way. wait till about 15 seconds before the auction ends and BID!

Same here...although I find 5 seconds is more than enough time.

[enforcerviper]

hammersnipe

[cookie-monster]

I've found auctionstealer very reliable. However, I only use it when I know I'll be away from the computer because of the 10sec delay on the free snipes.

If I think the bidding will be really competitive, and I'll be around at the end time, I'll do it manually, and can usually hit 3 or 4 secs before the end no problem. There will always be people who might snipe quicker than that, but more importantly, there won't usually be anyone who's already bid who'll be able to react to my bid in those couple of seconds. The snipers were going to snipe anyway, and for that you just have to hope that your snipe is higher. It's the reactive bidders that drive up the price unnecessarily!!

[CodecX81]

whats the difference between sniping and setting your initial amount to something high.

Like say the item starts at $1, increasing of increments of $1. Your limit is $100 for an item. If you made your first bid 100, it doesn't say you bid $100, it says you bet $2.

So when the next guy comes along and bets $3, he gets outbid by your first bid..and it continues that way until they either give up, or bids $101.

Making them look stupid in the bidding history lol

I've done this in auctions, if the end bid turns out to be less than your maximum, you pay that instead of the amount you bid.

[poedua]

whats the difference between sniping and setting your initial amount to something high.

Like say the item starts at $1, increasing of increments of $1. Your limit is $100 for an item. If you made your first bid 100, it doesn't say you bid $100, it says you bet $2.

So when the next guy comes along and bets $3, he gets outbid by your first bid..and it continues that way until they either give up, or bids $101.

Making them look stupid in the bidding history lol

I've done this in auctions, if the end bid turns out to be less than your maximum, you pay that instead of the amount you bid.

You do a max bid of $100
Another bidder dives in at $50...then sees you outbid him by a $1, he ups it a $1, you go up $1 and so on...this go on back and forth till $90 - $95 etc.....he may think it's worth $100 too but hasn't maxed bid as you have.

Why not wait in the weeds ?
He dives in at $50 , no one out bids him or very little action ...say to $60 ...end of auction arrives, you jump in with 5 second left at $100 and you get it for $61 instead of $95.

[divx]

this cheap way of bidding is legal too, hahaha :lol:

[B40]

whats the difference between sniping and setting your initial amount to something high.

Like say the item starts at $1, increasing of increments of $1. Your limit is $100 for an item. If you made your first bid 100, it doesn't say you bid $100, it says you bet $2.

So when the next guy comes along and bets $3, he gets outbid by your first bid..and it continues that way until they either give up, or bids $101.

Making them look stupid in the bidding history lol

I've done this in auctions, if the end bid turns out to be less than your maximum, you pay that instead of the amount you bid.

Who cares what the bidding history looks like, what's important is who wins and for how much.

Sniping is a much better strategy than setting your max right away.

[CodecX81]

great to know! I feel learn-ed.