Tricks on Ebay

[Task125]

anyone know any tricks to bidding on Ebay?

just got beat out at the last min. for service manual

mike

 

[The patriot]

Hey Neighbor! I'm in Manchester!

Pay whatever the reserve is and you'll win.

Eric

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by task125

anyone know any tricks to bidding on Ebay?

just got beat out at the last min. for service manual

mike

Have used eBay for a few years... Here's what I've learned:



1. If you see something you like, and can be on line just before it closes, bookmark the auction, and leave it.

2. Do not bid on it until just before it closes (you'll just drive the bidding up, and people will overbid just to win).

3. With about a minute till it closes, bid the maximum amout you want to pay (don't overbid). This works best if there have not been a lot of bids on it during the auction period, or in the last few hours. As an example: The item is currently $10 but you'd pay up to $15 for it (not $12, to see if it will win, but you'd really pay $15). Bid the $15 just before it closes.

4. This will do two things for you: 1) you'll never overbid just to win; 2) you're more likely to get the item.



There are programs out there that will bid for you in the last few seconds of an auction. You can use one of them if you can't be online when the auction closes...

 

[illflem]

If I remember right Internet Explorer for Macintosh comes with the bidding software RJOL speaks of. In fact IE for Mac comes with many auction features not found on the PC IE versions. Maybe you always get beat by a Mac.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I have found it helps to have a high speed connection for bidding. This allows me to get down to the last 10 seconds or less before bidding. I bid at that point with a limit up to the amount I am willing to spend (predetermined based on item value) and only bid once.



I use the watch feature on something I want until I am ready to bid, or to watch other similar items to see what they go for.



My recommendation is to NEVER bid unless you know exactly what something is worth (where possible of course). I have seen many things go at or above market price. CAVEAT EMPTOR!



You will also have less grief if you check the seller's feedback prior to bidding. There are dirtbags everywhere. Read negative feedback carefully and see what type of item caused the problem.



Having an electronic payment sysem reduces the aggravation of the transaction afterwards. There are several options available.



I never buy something from ebay if I need it now or have a specific deadline. The sellers most times have a lot of things going on just like we do.



All that being said, there are deals out there for the finding.

 

[Justbeamn]

I always have two 1/2 screens up. On one screen I have the max that I'm willing to spend and all my info ready for the last click. On the other screen I count down the auction by reloading on the minute. At around 10-15 seconds left on the auction I hit enter on the first screen and if I win... ... . cool, if I don't, it was more than I was willing to pay.



You need to adjust you time left that you bid depending on how fast your connection is.

 

[MOWPAR]

Originally posted by Justbeamn

I always have two 1/2 screens up. On one screen I have the max that I'm willing to spend and all my info ready for the last click. On the other screen I count down the auction by reloading on the minute. At around 10-15 seconds left on the auction I hit enter on the first screen and if I win... ... . cool, if I don't, it was more than I was willing to pay.



You need to adjust you time left that you bid depending on how fast your connection is.

Works like a charm, been doing it that way since '98.



Jim

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I do what Justbeam does too, open 2 Ebay screens and have one ready to go. I have bought alot of stuff off Ebay and to date (Knock on wood) have never been burned. I did have a bad expierience, but it was totally my fault. I saw an auction for an operators manual that retailed for about 30 bucks. The bid was at $15. 00. For some stupid reason i figured "Ill just type $200. 00 as my maximum bid", figuring no one would bid higher then 30 bucks anyhow. Well to make a long story short, i paid $180. 00 for that stupid manual. That is a true story. That was one of the first auctions i ever bid on. Did i feel stupid.

 

[HTRDHLR]

snipe um!

http://www.esnipe.com/

Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[JBlock]

Re: Re: Tricks on Ebay

I agree with Rick, bid enough to win and then I bid an extra bis at the last minute to up my own reserve on the bis.



Rick how do you get the cool little cummings in your signature?



Joe



http://members.aol.com/rjol/dieselengine3.gif

 

[Okie-Go]

I got an e-mail from ebay not long ago. There is a thing that will automaticlly bid for you at the last minute no matter the cost. I just put in what I am willing to spend and if I lose I guess it wasn't meant for me to have it. It is frustrating when no-one bids for two days and you're winning then they jump in about a minute before the auction ends.

 

[DiTrani]

Hard Core

If you really want to win, get 4-5 ebay accounts (you'll need as many email addresses) and same number esnipe accounts. Set up to bid the same max bid across all accounts through esnipe at decreasing buffer intervals (10, 6, 4, 2 sec. , for example). One of your accounts is bound to win.

 

[Task125]

Thanks for your help guys.

I am still bitter about not winning that shop manual.

thats how I lost it. nobody bid on it till 15 min left,went from 15. 00 to 70. 00 in 5 min,the only thing I feel good about is that guy had to pay 70. 00 instead of 15. 00