posted on January 21, 2001 07:55:14 PM new
I'm interested in hearing your opinions on the best and most reliable "sniper" software programs out there. What do these services cost? Are they free? Do they dialup from your own computer or are they web based? I have a direct connection to the net so I would like a program that resides on my own system that would snipe on my behalf.
I'd like to hear real world experiences from users of these programs and hear the good and the bad.
Here's another question that's somewhat related but pertains to ebay's new "BUY IT NOW" feature. A few items have gotten by me that I would have liked to bid on all because someone has found it an hour before me and essentially bought it off with the buy-now feature. Since I have a direct connection to the net I'd like a program that would send me a "red flag", email, alarm, or whatever evertime a buy-it-now item came up that matched my finely honed search phrase. I'm sure a program or web "robot" like this doesn't exist but maybe there's a programmer reading this that's up for the challenge???
posted on January 22, 2001 08:14:24 AM new
Hi, I have a program called AuctionTamer and it has 2 snipping options, one is using the esnipe service which is web based and the other is called AutoBid, which is the one you are interested in. Once you download AuctionTamer look on the main page for the link to the snipe options. Because with the AutoBid option you will need to add a column named "Buff" for it to be enabled.
AuctionTamer is free for buyers and has been out since July of 1999. You can download AuctionTamer at: www.auctiontamer.com sorry AuctionWatch doesn't want me to make this link clickable.
AuctionTamer is also a great way to use AuctionWatch, we incorporated a search box and a tab for them and we are currently giving them over 10,000 click throughs a month.
I use Auctiontamer right now. Have never heard about this autobid thing? What do you mean about adding a column called buff? Please email me or post here with some further direction and info. Thanks
posted on January 22, 2001 10:47:40 AM new
I'm fond of Merlin, myself. It's not free, but it's darn cheap, they're ultra-prompt about fixing problems when eBay changes its database structure or whatever, it's loaded with all sorts of extra features (like a "grabber", "or" bidding on similar lots, and post-auction feedback management). It stays on your machine, which has to be on but not on-line. It'll handle a gazillion bids at once, too, unlike some which only let you set up one snipe at a time. Well worthwhile. Check it out at:
http://www.pctechzone.com
Tom Kendall (who has no material interest in the program but who likes it a lot)
posted on January 23, 2001 09:18:26 AM new
Thanks for the info on the software, much appreciated. I'll look into the two programs suggested....
As for the other topic, yep I'm aware of the notification service that ebay provides. What I'm looking for is very similar however I need the abililty to filter the search results to "buy it now" auctions only so I have a heads-up on those items that interest me that fit my search criteria. I don't think this is possible with ebay's service but maybe I'm wrong. Basically I'd like the advantage of being alerted to such an auction before my bidding competition does.
posted on January 23, 2001 07:31:53 PM new
I have used esnipe for almost a year and only once has it had a glitch, and then I probably just didn't need the item anyway. I like that I can snipe by right clicking off the ebay page.
posted on January 23, 2001 08:01:34 PM new
I'm with jrb3 - vrane.com is free & works great. I win every time I use it, it snipes literally in the last few seconds. I don't have to be online.
Rocker
posted on January 23, 2001 08:40:53 PM new
Although, I use none of these services, from past experience, I would be wary of ANY program that uses the "search" function to help you find BINs in a hurry. It can take 4-6 hours OR MORE for the listed item to show up in the search terms..in the meantime, the opposing bidder is "browsing" for "new listings", and snagging the BINs before u see them!
JMHO
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
Rocker