posted on January 10, 2001 07:11:50 AM
I saw an interesting suggestion over on one of eBay's message boards. To encourage bidding wars, and reduce somewhat the negative effects (to the seller) of sniping, the person suggested extending the auction by 2 or 3 minutes after a bid.
For instance say the auction is set to end at 10:00. If a sinper bids at 9:59:45 the auction would be extended to 10:02:45. If at this time there are no other bids, the sniper would win the auction. But if there are 2 or more snipers after the item, a last minute bidding war could ensue. The auction would end only after 3 minutes of inactivity.
As a buyer I'd hate this But as a seller I'd love this. After all, one of the reasons for sniping is to avoid bidding wars early on in the auction. What do y'all think?
posted on January 10, 2001 07:21:19 AM
Well, I hope that if some change is implemented to that effect, it is offered as an option. I, personally, prefer having my auctions end as originally scheduled.
As a buyer, I doubt I would bid on something unless I really wanted it baaaaad if the end time was going to keep changing.
posted on January 10, 2001 07:52:10 AM
I have introduced a lot of my friends to Ebay, but all of them have quit buying there and gone back to the retail stores. Why? Snipers. They got so discouraged by the sniping that they gave up completely.
Real auctions don't end by the clock, they end when the bidding stops. I think Ebay should adopt the same thing. The few that would stop buying would be far overshadowed by the others that would come back when they see that the unfair tactics have stopped.
posted on January 10, 2001 07:56:59 AM
If someone is bidding the maximum amount that they are willing to pay for an item, it doesn't matter if they placed that bid at the first minute or the last minute of the auction.
Whoever offered the highest maximum is the winner of the auction regardless of when they placed that bid. Nothing unfair here!
posted on January 10, 2001 08:02:01 AM
Bye Bye Ebay! I snipe to avoid bidding wars (among other reasons). If snipes are not allowed, then I will not bid.
I am not sure I understand the problem people have with last minute bids. I bid the maximum I am willing to pay. I just happen to do it 20 seconds before the end of the auction. If someone else put in proxy bid for more, I lose. I go find another widget.
Why would I want to get in a bidding war with one of those people who bid 25 times trying to find your max and beat it by one bid? Sounds really stupid from a buyers point of view. (mine and theirs)
No, I don't think it is unfair (or fair for that matter) that eBay does not extend the auction. It's eBay's house and it's eBay's rules.
As to people who complain about the rules being unfair, I just shrug my sholders and reply "Life is not Fair".
Greg
P.S. Have I ever lost to a sniper? You Bet. Was I upset? Some. Did I scream for eBay to change the rules? Get Real! When was the last time eBay listened to the users.
posted on January 10, 2001 08:04:13 AM
New users don't understand the rules, so the rules should be changed? Interesting concept. What then, if they don't understand the "New and Improved" rules?
posted on January 10, 2001 08:40:08 AM
Ditto to what Mr.P said.
Most likely the same people complaining now, would complain about the new rule not being fair, because they weren't sitting in front of their computer when the auction extension ended.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
The last bid placed doesn't win.
The highest bid placed wins!
It must be such a simple concept, that even the simpletons don't get it?
It must be such a simple concept, that even the simpletons don't get it?
Must be. I'm thinking, though- after reading so many similar anti-sniping comments, that the problem is not really last second bidding, since the "solution" proposed to end this problem is always to extend auctions, which would possibly result in increasing last second bidding.
Question- Why would anyone suggest a solution to a problem which creates more of what the solution was trying to eliminate?
Answer- Because sniping is not the problem.
The real problem is... bidders not knowing how much they want to spend, and depending on others making bids to help them figure it out.
Extending auctions would only help these bidders if they were online when the auction was ending. Those unable to be online will not be helped, and the piteous cry of "But I would have bid more, if I just had the chance" will forever be heard.
posted on January 10, 2001 12:52:46 PM
Extended auctions could be a fun option, but it should be just that - an option.
People say that you should just bid the maximum that you're willing to pay, but people are, generally, flexible and don't have a carved-in-stone maximum.
Suppose you find an item that is worth $200 to you and another bidder is the high bidder at the opening bid of $10. Now, you run into this bidder regularly and know that he places the same value on items that you do. You also know that he bids a fraction of a dollar over what he's willing to pay for it. So, you are reasonably sure that his bid is $200.01 to $200.99. Now, do you stick with your $200 bid, knowing, that in all likelyhood, it would lose or do you bid $201 significantly increasing your chance of winning. If you're willing to bid $201, then $200 wasn't your max, $201 was. Or, maybe, $202 is your max. That's where extended bidding would be helpful to people with flexible minds.
I know that when I snipe, I have a number of amounts bouncing in head that can vary by as much as 10%.
posted on January 10, 2001 01:08:59 PM
OK - as a seller - I LOVE SNIPPERS! I had an auction clost today and this morning when I checked my auctions this one was at $197 - and I was happy. But because of a couple of "experience" eBay snipers my auction went through the roof the last 6 minutes! That auction closed at $306!
I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! Happy day and happy dance for me! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
posted on January 10, 2001 03:00:43 PM
Have to agree with the general opinion of "No problem with sniping". I do it and have it done to me.It's all part of the fun.Mind you being in the U.K. does mean having to wait up until the early hours of the morning to do it sometimes.Up until 02:30 last night and still lost out LOL. Yahoo auctions offer auto extend as an option and the auction page notes it so at least you know what you're up against.
posted on January 10, 2001 03:33:27 PM
You mean the snipers are still out there? Because I haven't had any on my auctions for awhile. Thank goodness I get decent bids during the week they are listed and the last day (but not the last minute anymore!).
I also looked at some completed auctions and noticed they end without any changes as well. I thought something was up! As a seller, I love snipers. Come back!!!!!!
posted on January 10, 2001 03:39:42 PM
What eBay should do instead is allow everyone who wants to be to be a perfect sniper. Bids can be left "now" or "at close of auction". At close of auction bid count would be reported during the auction, and reported separately after close of auction.
posted on January 10, 2001 03:45:17 PM
There is a naivite expressed by those who would change the rules to eliminate sniping. That naivite is the presumption that nothing else would change.
The entire mentality of the eBay experience would be changed if the auction were extended relative to the last bid, and there is no reason to believe that prices would overall change either up or down.
Generally, things sell near their value, as described. This generalization would remain true under almost any set of rules which seemed "fair" to both buyer and seller.
But as a seller I'd love this. After all, one of the reasons for sniping is to avoid bidding wars early on in the auction. What do y'all think?