eBay trying to remove sniping

Rhotchkiss · #1 07-08-2025, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayshum

I don't understand how this is going to cause lower prices. If someone still bids their highest bid right before the scheduled end time, it gives other bidders a chance to respond. It's what most other online auctions already do with extended bidding in an attempt to imitate a live auction.

Agreed. You can still put in your max or snipe bid and, if higher than the next increment, you will be autobid to the next increment. Here is a real life example of why/how it could work and be good:

Last night I wanted to win a Willie mays �the catch� ticket. With one minute left, it was at $5100. I put in my �snipe� max bid of $6559 with 4 seconds left. Turns out I was outbid by one increment by another sniper at $6659. However, given the chance, I likely would have bid another one or two times, but I was not given the option; the auction just ends.

So, the snipes work their way into out, establishing a high bid for extended bidding and then people can go back at it, in two minute increments, after that. Nothing but good for sellers. As a buyer, those wanting to get a deal from the auction ending absolutely may be harmed, but those buyers like me last night will be happy to be given another opportunity

One last thing- the customer is the seller, not the buyer. The job of an auction house is to maximize the price the seller gets. Fact. People always complain about changes that benefit the AH, who make a commission off the sale, or benefit sellers, but the seller is exactly who the AH is working for, not the buyers.

doug.goodman · #2 07-08-2025, 09:00 AM

There are two reasons to snipe :

1 - you put in a bid so late that nobody will have time to outbid you.

2 - you put in a bid so late that YOU will not have time to bid again if somebody has outbid you.

Either way, resetting the clock defeats both of those strategies, so of course the prices will go higher, and of course shilling will sometimes be involved.

Leon · #3 07-08-2025, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

There are two reasons to snipe :

1 - you put in a bid so late that nobody will have time to outbid you.

2 - you put in a bid so late that YOU will not have time to bid again if somebody has outbid you.

Either way, resetting the clock defeats both of those strategies, so of course the prices will go higher, and of course shilling will sometimes be involved.

I snipe because I am not going to be glued to eBay. I win a fair amount and will win a lot, lot less if there is no sniping. They will do analytics after they test and make a decision. If losing bidders like myself doesn't hurt them as much as it helps the seller, and the seller is happy, that is all that counts. "Money" is almost always the answer.
As said, eBay's customers are their sellers. But if even more people leave than have in the recent few years, then more sellers might leave.

doug.goodman · #4 07-08-2025, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leon

I snipe because I am not going to be glued to eBay. I win a fair amount and will win a lot, lot less if there is no sniping. They will do analytics after they test and make a decision. If losing bidders like myself doesn't hurt them as much as it helps the seller, and the seller is happy, that is all that counts. "Money" is almost always the answer.
As said, eBay's customers are their sellers. But if even more people leave than have in the recent few years, then more sellers might leave.

But you can still bid at the scheduled end of the auction the same way you always have with your "snipe", the only difference is that you won't watch the clock run out, instead you will get an email about payment, or you won't.

I don't understand why it would change what you would bid on a particular item that you are interested in.

I also have no interest in sitting on ebay all day or night, and I will still bid what I would have bid.

Leon · #5 07-08-2025, 10:50 AM

According to this thread, there are 3 reasons.

3 - Not being glued to eBay.
Buyers that only want something, but don't HAVE, to have it, like myself...just won't spend as much. That is a 100% certainty, where I am concerned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

There are two reasons to snipe :

1 - you put in a bid so late that nobody will have time to outbid you.

2 - you put in a bid so late that YOU will not have time to bid again if somebody has outbid you.

Either way, resetting the clock defeats both of those strategies, so of course the prices will go higher, and of course shilling will sometimes be involved.

ajjohnsonsoxfan · #6 07-08-2025, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Agreed. You can still put in your max or snipe bid and, if higher than the next increment, you will be autobid to the next increment. Here is a real life example of why/how it could work and be good:

Last night I wanted to win a Willie mays “the catch” ticket. With one minute left, it was at $5100. I put in my “snipe” max bid of $6559 with 4 seconds left. Turns out I was outbid by one increment by another sniper at $6659. However, given the chance, I likely would have bid another one or two times, but I was not given the option; the auction just ends.

So, the snipes work their way into out, establishing a high bid for extended bidding and then people can go back at it, in two minute increments, after that. Nothing but good for sellers. As a buyer, those wanting to get a deal from the auction ending absolutely may be harmed, but those buyers like me last night will be happy to be given another opportunity

One last thing- the customer is the seller, not the buyer. The job of an auction house is to maximize the price the seller gets. Fact. People always complain about changes that benefit the AH, who make a commission off the sale, or benefit sellers, but the seller is exactly who the AH is working for, not the buyers.

THIS ^^^

If ebay's analytics says this benefits sellers without alienating enough buyers they will roll it out for good. As a seller I love it (two buyers who really want it duking it out in 2 min increments - yummy). As a buyer hoping to steal it cheap with a snipe, I hate it. :-)

nat · #7 07-08-2025, 04:44 PM

I assume that they have a legion of econ and psych phds who determined that this will net them more money. I'll trust their judgment on this.

This probably doesn't change optimal bidding strategy though. If the thing is worth $X to you put in a snipe for $X (don't bid early - no use in giving free information to other bidders) and forget about it. Yes, someone can top you in extended bidding, but that shouldn't change your strategy. If bidding goes above $X you're better off not buying it than you would be buying it. If it would have sold for $(X - Y) under the old system and now sells for $(X - Z) for Z < Y, then you're paying more under this system than the old one, but as long as you don't watch the auction and get suckered into bidding above $X you're still getting the item for less than (or equal to) what it's worth to you. Which means that it's still rational to place your bids.

jingram058 · #8 07-08-2025, 05:03 PM

I have bought and sold a lot on eBay over the years. I think I signed up the year after it started up. It used to be that eBay's stated policy on bidding was, place a bid with time remaining up to what you are comfortable paying for the item. If someone outbids or snipes you, oh well. Better luck next time. I have won some, lost some. That's just the nature of the game. Any more, and for the last few years, I only look for buy-it-nows in order to not get into any of this...no sniping, no outbid, none of it. Makes for a much more pleasant eBay experience, for me. Your mileage may vary.

Leon · #9 08-21-2025, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Agreed. You can still put in your max or snipe bid and, if higher than the next increment, you will be autobid to the next increment. Here is a real life example of why/how it could work and be good:

Last night I wanted to win a Willie mays �the catch� ticket. With one minute left, it was at $5100. I put in my �snipe� max bid of $6559 with 4 seconds left. Turns out I was outbid by one increment by another sniper at $6659. However, given the chance, I likely would have bid another one or two times, but I was not given the option; the auction just ends.

So, the snipes work their way into out, establishing a high bid for extended bidding and then people can go back at it, in two minute increments, after that. Nothing but good for sellers. As a buyer, those wanting to get a deal from the auction ending absolutely may be harmed, but those buyers like me last night will be happy to be given another opportunity

One last thing- the customer is the seller, not the buyer. The job of an auction house is to maximize the price the seller gets. Fact. People always complain about changes that benefit the AH, who make a commission off the sale, or benefit sellers, but the seller is exactly who the AH is working for, not the buyers.

All of that is true, but I stay glued to my computer with the Auction Houses so much, I don't want to stay glued to Ebay....Just set the snipe and be gone. But I guess if there is something I can't live without (rarely) I will play. "Stuff" trumps a little annoyance.
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