rhpepsi
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posted on June 1, 2008 07:35:31 PM new
As sellers have you seen any of your items get bids on real quick? Then for 6 days, the only thing that grows is the WATCHERS. Finally in the last 10 seconds, your item gets ONE more bid from a sniper and it is done. Leaving that "honest" bidder from day 1 out in the cold because they had no chance to bid with seconds left.
I am gonna post the following in some auctions to see the response and if the bidding changes at all;
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ATTENTION: BIDDERS --- due to the recent increase use of SNIPING PROGRAMS and what "I consider" LOST sales -- This auction may be ENDED WITHOUT NOTICE to the HIGHEST bidder at anytime! Too many times I have seen "INITIAL BIDDERS" try to win an auction only to lose it with 8 seconds to go because of sniping. Yes, I may lose bidders this way, but I feel that running an auction and NOT giving the bidders a fair playing field is wrong.
*******************************
Opinions???
edited to say INITIAL BIDDERS...not HONEST BIDDERS.
[ edited by rhpepsi on Jun 2, 2008 05:32 AM ]
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max40
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posted on June 1, 2008 07:44:48 PM new
Who would be affected by ending your auctions early--besides you.
I know watching your inactive auction for 6 days is a PITA, but the way eBay is set up I don't see any other way to do it profitably.
I like the idea of extending the auction for x minutes to allow other bidders to react.
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hwahwa
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posted on June 1, 2008 07:48:44 PM new
Then why dont you make it a fixed price auction? or offer BUY IT NOW.
Bidders who place their bids early know pretty well they could be outbidded,since they dont place a proxy on it,it tells me they are not interested in paying more .
end of the story.
*
Google does not hire stupid people.
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hwahwa
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posted on June 1, 2008 07:53:50 PM new
Let' see,I have some auctions where the first bidder is outbidded by a small amount in the last few hours to last few minutes.
If I have another one in stock and I offer them at their bid price,they are not interested.
What does it tell you??
*
Google does not hire stupid people.
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rhpepsi
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:01:52 PM new
Look at some of your auctions that had several bidders. That FIRST bidder may have put in a proxy bid OVER your original price, but because someone has a sniping program, they bid with seconds left, NOT allowing the FIRST bidder to counter-bid. My opinion is that the SNIPER is now forced to place an EARLIER bid if they want a chance to get it.
I sold an item for $100, the first bidder bid the amount, but in the end, they lost to a sniper for $1 more. Looking at what the first bidder had bid on other auctions in the past, you could tell they probably would have went higher if they had the chance. Yes, I know they should have placed the higher proxy bid EARLY, but didn't.
As for affecting myself by ending it early, I would end it with what I am happy with(price wise). The whole idea is to try and get this site back to where if it is an auction...BID. NOT treat every single thing as a FIXED - BUY IT NOW item. That is ALL that sniping is...they are BUYING IT NOW at probably a lower price then if there was a BIDDING war on it.
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roadsmith
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:03:35 PM new
rhpepsi: Why do you call the first bidder "honest" and the second (sniper bidder) not? I agree with hwahwa, who says the first bidder (unless they're brand new to eBay) KNOW they may be outbid. It's part of the game.
I buy items for our historical museum, and I almost always snipe in the last minute to be sure I get the item. I've never considered it shady or dishonest.
If the first bidder wants it badly, he'll "watch" the auction and also he will place a higher proxy bid when he does bid at the beginning. It's a fair playing field, no matter how you look at it.
Instead of the message you're proposing, you might do what some here do in their auctions; they warn that snipers may bid in the last moments of the auction and urge bidders to keep an eye on the auction or at least put a proxy bid in.
_____________________
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rhpepsi
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:06:06 PM new
roadsmith...if you wanted the item BAD enough and now know it could end BEFORE you are able to snipe....what would you do? Would you let the first bidder get it for BELOW what you are willing to pay?
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roadsmith
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:20:55 PM new
Pepsi: Well. . . . two things: How many buyers even take time to READ our descriptions in the first place? They may not see your message.
Secondly, since many buyers snipe, I just would suggest you word your message differently--not calling only the NON-snipers honest. (Sometimes I place an opening bid and then wait for 6 days and snipe at the end.) We snipers could take offense at that. My thinking is that your message could be read as a negative statement, and we sellers can't afford to offend buyers unnecessarily.
However, do whatever you think you should do. I'm just responding to your request for suggestions. ~Adele
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birgittaw
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:24:12 PM new
Who says five bids in the last four seconds is not an auction? I get out-sniped pretty often, and sometimes never even get a bid in.
Ending early? Nothing more annoying than having a bid in and discover something disappear before its time, especially ended to sell to high bidder. Happened twice this week. If I knew it could end early, I'd walk. And add seller to blocked sellers' list.
There are very few things that anyone HAS to have. Especially on eBay, another one always comes along (notable exceptions but that's not the realm in which I deal).
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rhpepsi
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:30:36 PM new
thanks ... got the answers and suggestions I expected.
Adele---INITIAL BIDDER would sound better I guess. Keep everyone honest
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tonimar1
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:43:52 PM new
I as a bidder I bid the price I want to pay and if I lose it I don't care. I don't like waiting and watching and I don't like doing last min bids.
If you feel your items are not selling for a price you think they should sell for then maybe start the bidding at a higher start price.
As for the 1st bidder who sat on the item for 6 days and then lost it to a sniper, well guess they didn't want it bad enough.
If as a bidder I read what your thinking on posting in your listing I would not even waste my time bidding on your auction. I don't even like wasting my time bidding on auctions, I would rather do a BIN and get it over with.
toni
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ggardenour
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posted on June 1, 2008 08:45:06 PM new
I admit I am a sniper. I don't use a program to do it. Been at this long enough to wait till the very last sec to place my bid. Does that make me DIShonest I think not! I am not interested in getting into a bidding war with someone. It just costs me more money and to me and my wallet that makes no sense.
As a seller a bid is a bid. I really don't care if it happens 30 secs after I list it or with 30 secs left on the auction. Its all good in my book. The checkbook that is.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on June 1, 2008 09:06:04 PM new
If you're not happy with people sniping your auctions you can run BINs with Best Offer.
Do it right and on average you're likely to get quite a bit more than you would starting the thingie at 99 cents.
Best Offer is a woefully underused but very powerful tool. The sellers who are insulted by offers need to wake up and smell the chai.
People LIKE getting a perceived deal and they LIKE sealing the deal quickly. I never bid on auctions any more myself. I don't have that much patience.
fLufF
--
The prettiest Czechoslovakian jewelry you ever did see! Hurry, before it's gone.
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pixiamom
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posted on June 1, 2008 09:08:21 PM new
Rhpepsi, I know where you're coming from, but the bottom line is, you don't know how high the sniper was willing to go. At any rate, it was higher (perhaps much higher) than the original bidder was willing to go. I like it when folks bid early. It brings more attention to an auction. On a few items, I've placed a notice that I would end the auction early if no bids were received within 24 hours of close, but this is not your scenario.
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blueyes29
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posted on June 1, 2008 10:14:01 PM new
As a very occasional buyer on eBay, when I find something I absolutely MUST have, I bid early and put in a bid that is so outrageous I know for sure won't be topped. Years ago, I bid $5,000 for a plate...ended up paying $75 for it. I've never been sniped or lost an auction that I wanted. As a seller, I've never understood the concerns about sniping. It seems to me that it just means the item gets sold and at a highter price. What frustrates me more is when an item gets over 100 lookers and no bids.
[ edited by blueyes29 on Jun 1, 2008 10:14 PM ]
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pixiamom
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posted on June 1, 2008 10:35:51 PM new
My favorite customer bids early, often with a ceiling of $50. He wins many of my auctions at $7,94. He loses some with the bid just over $50. Although I love him, why would I block off snipers who bring the price up?
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deur1
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posted on June 2, 2008 04:43:07 AM new
rhpepsi said
your item gets ONE more bid from a sniper and it is done. Leaving that "honest" bidder from day 1 out in the cold because they had no chance to bid with seconds left.
I respect your right to express your opinion.However as a seller and a buyer why is the bidder that bid early the "honest" bidder and apparently the last second bidder not?
I never, never, ever,ever, bid early ! I do not use any sniping tool,I bid at the last possible second on everything I buy! I pay instantly and never gripe or whine about the S/H ... why would you consider moi "dishonest"
As a seller I could care less which stage of the auction people bid. Buyers that pay and do not whine about every lil detail GOOD !!!!
JMO -- Not a divine revelation
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deur1
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posted on June 2, 2008 04:44:45 AM new
I consider" LOST sales
If it sells how could it be a lost sale? Maybe I need more coffee .... I just do not get the math.
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hwahwa
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posted on June 2, 2008 05:31:54 AM new
Some bidders bid early sort of bookmark the item.
Do they want to get into a bidding war if they get outbidded?some do,some dont.
Many intend to resell your item so they are disciplined not to overpay.
If you look at their proxy bid,it is not that far from the starting bid.
*
Google does not hire stupid people.
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rhpepsi
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posted on June 2, 2008 05:46:52 AM new
Look at the auction 130224031576 - bid history(top 2nd & 3rd bidders were using sniping programs);
Yes, as buyers it feels great to WIN that auction with ONLY 10 seconds left. But as a seller, don't you want to get the most $$$ you can? Leaving it with an EXACT ENDING TIME limits the amount of bids you are going to receive. Especially if you all want to bid at the last second. By NOT knowing if it will end 1 hour early or even one day early, if you really want that item, you are more likely to place a bid earlier then wait til the last second.
I guess I am just sick of the whole idea of AUCTIONS...because they really are just BIN. Why pay for the auctions.
[ edited by rhpepsi on Jun 2, 2008 05:52 AM ]
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merrie
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posted on June 2, 2008 06:16:56 AM new
Bid early, bid late, who cares, just bid.
I am more optimistic when I see early bidders, but there are many times that is the only bid on an item, still fine with me.
BINs can be counterproductive on the items I sell. I pay the extra fee for a BIN, someone bids and POOF, the BIN is gone, but many times the items ends for more than the BIN.Who knows!?
Best Offers, no thanks, the Best Offer is the highest price someone is willing to bid on my items. If I am willing to take a certain price for an item, it goes into my store and sells for the listed price.
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neglus
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posted on June 2, 2008 06:26:17 AM new
Is that your auction? Would the item have sold with a BIN of $950? Listing fees for a BIN of $950 in core would have been higher than auction starting at $9.99. If seller listed in Store he takes his chances on visibility (lately it seems that Core sellers take their chances on visibility as well).
I think experienced buyers may be just as likely to hit the back button when they read about the possibility of ending the listing early as they would be to place higher bids. If seller depends on any kind of repeat business this could kill loyalty from returning customers who like auctions.
I know it's frustrating as a seller to see bidding go up to the last second. Still, the auction format has its place.
-------------------------------------
http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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ebabestreasures
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posted on June 2, 2008 07:13:28 AM new
In that auction, the item did not sell to the last bidder. But it was push up by $135 with the last bidders snipe. What's wrong with that?
I have often considered putting a link to a sniping service in my listing. I think I've lost far more bids from bidders forgetting to bid at the last minute.
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Helenjw
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posted on June 2, 2008 07:19:22 AM new
"I think experienced buyers may be just as likely to hit the back button when they read about the possibility of ending the listing early as they would be to place higher bids. If seller depends on any kind of repeat business this could kill loyalty from returning customers who like auctions."
I had the same thought, Neglus. It seems to me that it would be unfair to ignore the Ebay ending time and arbitrarily decide when to end an auction.
And, bidders who choose to bid late or use a sniping program in order to get a better deal or avoid the tedious and time consuming effort of watching are playing by the rules of the game and should not be considered "dishonest".
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ggardenour
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posted on June 2, 2008 07:20:47 AM new
rh you think eBAy should extend the ending time by X minutes?
If you extend it 2 minutes then you just have a new end time thats 2 minutes later then the original time. Whats the point of that?
It has to end at some defined point in time Period-Done-Finished-Over.
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ebabestreasures
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posted on June 2, 2008 07:27:11 AM new
ggardenour - Yahoo auctions had this option and it worked really well IMO. The auction only extended if you got a bid in the last 30 seconds or so. If you keep getting bids at the end, that's great - the price keeps going up. That is more of a true auction anyway.
Now that a service I wouldn't mind paying for on ebay.
[ edited by ebabestreasures on Jun 2, 2008 07:30 AM ]
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photosensitive
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posted on June 2, 2008 07:59:52 AM new
I thought the old "snipers are the spawn of the devil" line that was the favorite thread subject when I joined eBay Outlook many years ago had faded away. Guess not. I only snipe using eSnipe. In the areas where I buy all the serious bidders snipe. There are furious bidding wars but they take place in the final seconds of the auction. The item rarely goes to the "early bidders" or the "nibblers" who up it a dollar at a time to keep ahead of the other early bidders.
Maybe in the OP category there is not this kind of competition. In my opinion ending an auction early will not discourage most snipers but will certainly annoy the early bidders.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
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cashinyourcloset
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posted on June 2, 2008 08:00:54 AM new
"It has to end at some defined point in time Period-Done-Finished-Over."
Feeling a bit dogmatic this morning, are we?
I guess nobody had ever figured out how to have an auction extend itself until bidding ends. Wait just a minute, 99% of live auctions do that don't they? Hey, what a great idea!
Regarding the defined point for auction end: it's when the 3,5,7, or 10 day period has ended and there has been no bidding for at least 30 seconds. Period-Done-Finished-Over.
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zippy2dah
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posted on June 2, 2008 10:01:38 AM new
"ATTENTION: BIDDERS --- due to the recent increase use of SNIPING PROGRAMS and what "I consider" LOST sales -- This auction may be ENDED WITHOUT NOTICE to the HIGHEST bidder at anytime! Too many times I have seen "INITIAL BIDDERS" try to win an auction only to lose it with 8 seconds to go because of sniping. Yes, I may lose bidders this way, but I feel that running an auction and NOT giving the bidders a fair playing field is wrong."
When I see a message like this in a listing, I assume the seller is completely burnt out on eBay and about to blow.
Since I do not want to be directly involved in the explosion, I quickly move along to a seller who doesn't feel the need to scream at potential buyers.
Sniping is not dishonest. Stealing is.
Since you admit you don't care about losing buyers, I'm sure my opinion won't matter but please remember, you did ask!
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hwahwa
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posted on June 2, 2008 10:27:12 AM new
Yes, I may lose bidders this way, but I feel that running an auction and NOT giving the bidders a fair playing field is wrong."
//////////////////////////////////////
Sounds like Ebay is the culprit,so why dont you list it somewhere else?
*
Google does not hire stupid people.
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