How important is auction sniping to you?

[danmckee]

Hey! I was finally first at something in my life!! Yea!

[Leon]

I forgot to mention I made this a PUBLIC poll. So please be aware your vote will be seen. I didn't think there would be harm in that option for this one.

Way to go Dan...!!!! YOU are always first on my list...right behind your Dad of course. Please say hi to him for me...

[ibuysportsephemera]

Leon,

I hope that when you say "giving eBay a run for their money" you will include vintage sports memorabilia (ie publications, photos, ticket stubs, etc.).

I think that the time is right for someone to start an auction site for vintage sports cards and memorabilia.

Good luck!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ibuysportsephemera

Leon,

I hope that when you say "giving eBay a run for their money" you will include vintage sports memorabilia (ie publications, photos, ticket stubs, etc.).

I think that the time is right for someone to start an auction site for vintage sports cards and memorabilia.

Good luck!

At the moment the idea is all sports items BUT only sports. I am busy looking into s/w at this point and have a s/w programmer as a partner. It is extremely early but I think this time I will give it a shot. NO ONE needs to worry about anything on the board today changing. It won't. No fees, no change. The goal, if I/we do it, is to have 1 more optional link on the board. No one will be forced to click on it if they don't want to. We are a long ways away at best...probably several months. Regardless of, if ebay changes back to categories or not, I probably want to give this a try this time. As mentioned in another thread I have always thought about doing it. There isn't too much downside to trying.

[Matt]

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

[showtime]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

Yuck, no thanks to that feature.

[Rich Klein]

However; this is a very serious post and I really do believe this.

EBay has totally forgotten what made them successful. Instead of continuing to help the "average" person post items; they would rather pick up a few high powered sellers and become a retail mall so to speak.

From my experience; especially in today's world; they would be better served letting everyone post (with proper background); not put limits like Pay Pal only; the ridiculous DSL in which an average grade of 4 out of 5 can get you thrown off; etc.

One of the old great joys of EBay was that if a seller got real lucky; he or she could find the two bidders needed and hit the "jackpot" so to speak. Of course; if you have seen that recent "jackpot" commercial; there must be a better word.

Leon; a well thought out auction world would not bring down the Bay in any way; but with the continued nibbling from us AND from other parts of the world; they will eventually fail under their own weight

Rich

[Scott T]

I am a low end collector, so most of my purchases come from Ebay and the B/S/T board. I have had good luck with sniping on Ebay.

[famousgolfers]

Matt/Leon,
Are all of the auctions all going to end at the same time on the new site or at various times like eBay? That's why I like sniping on eBay. I don't have time to keep up with all of the various auction end times. Bumping the auction out by 10 minutes won't really do me any good, if that is the case.
Thanks,
Jason

[Matt]

Originally Posted by famousgolfers

Matt/Leon,
Are all of the auctions all going to end at the same time on the new site or at various times like eBay? That's why I like sniping on eBay. I don't have time to keep up with all of the various auction end times. Bumping the auction out by 10 minutes won't really do me any good, if that is the case.
Thanks,
Jason

It would be at different times, as it was on eBay.

Really, the question comes down to putting in your bid while the auction is going or having a system put it in 5 seconds before it ends. If (and this is a big if) shill bidding is not a concern, is it still essential to be able to snipe?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by famousgolfers

Matt/Leon,
Are all of the auctions all going to end at the same time on the new site or at various times like eBay? That's why I like sniping on eBay. I don't have time to keep up with all of the various auction end times. Bumping the auction out by 10 minutes won't really do me any good, if that is the case.
Thanks,
Jason

Jason, I think our idea is to try to emulate ebay except without the idiocy. So, auctions will end at various times just like on ebay. I feel that people need to have 100% control over their own auctions. Also, as mentioned before....I/we also understand the value equation and our lack of the audience ebay has. There has to be almost no risk or cost to sellers (at least at first). I think there might need to be an extremely nominal fee at first in order to keep out 1 billion Fleer and Donruss rookies....Not that we don't want a place for them but our goal is not to have a billion cards on there, that have no value (except intrinsic meaning if you burn them you get heat) and never sell.....

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

I love this idea.

[Vintageclout]

Leon...very essential because with our busy lives, most cannot have internet access "24/7".

Regards,
Joe

[iggyman]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

As a buyer, I love snipping more then I love my dog! It is one of the greatest inventions of this century. Something that future generations will be proud off.


As a seller, I absolutely hate it! I abhorre it and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. The numerous nights I've spent sweating out an ebay auction......praying for some snipper to resue me. Grrrrrrr!!! I'm working-up a cold sweat just thinking about it.....


By the way, I like Matt's suggestion. He is way ahead of the curve on this one, an anti-sniping feature would be ideal. However the only problem I see is shill bidding by Mastro.

Lovely Day...

[docpatlv]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

I don't understand the anti-sniping stance. If you auction an item and it is supposed to end at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night, what difference does it make if I put my bid in 3 days, 1 day, or 6 seconds before the auction ends? As long as the bid is in before the ending time, there is no "moral" issue. If someone outsnipes me, so be it. I don't like putting in an early bid and having someone bump me up slowly in $10, $20, $50 increments (whether genuine or shilled). I'd rather put in my max bid and let it ride. If someone outsnipes me, then they either wanted it more or had more financial resources. I can live with that.

As a seller, I can see the downside. But it could also be positive if 2 or more bidders leave high snipes at the end. I see it happen all the time on e-bay.

You can't have it both ways, as a buyer I only snipe, as a seller I'd go with the attitude that I put an auction up and it will bring whatever the market will bear, whether it's through early bidding or last-second sniping.

Mike

[E93]

I have never understood the obsession with sniping. Granted, I don't use ebay all that much, but I generally just enter the high amount I am willing to pay sometime close to the end and let it ride. What makes sniping better than that? Since everyone else snipes, nobody knows if their bid are high enough until it is too late anyway. Seems to basically be the same thing.
JimB

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by Matt

To add to the discussion, one of the options we're looking into is software the has an "anti-sniping" feature, which means that if a bid comes in during the last X minutes (say 10) then the auction gets extended X minutes from that point. Would that be preferred to sniping or at least a viable alternative?

Matt:

Yes, I think that would be a desirable option for me. I don't like being sniped and like the ability to respond.....depending upon how badly I want an item.

[gabrinus]

I like the idea of extended bidding as well. There is more strategy involved in an old fashioned auction. As long as bidders want to keep bidding, keep bidding.

[mybuddyinc]

I snipe everything, from $5 to $500, for "all" the pro-sniping arguments listed above.

[D. Bergin]

As a buyer I use it sometimes and like the option.

As a seller I don't really care. Seemed to be a lot more bidding wars on my stuff before the emergence of sniping. It also gives you an early sense of interest in your item without everybody waiting for the last second to snipe. I found people bid earlier and more often before the popularity of sniping programs caught on.

Nowadays I have no idea what something will sell for until the auction is over. Even watch lists don't really give a sense of interest. It's amazing the number of items with 2 or 3 watchers will outsell an item with 20+ watchers.

[famousgolfers]

I voted for "I would not use a personal auction platform without it." and I probably should have voted for "I would much rather have it but it's not essential." after thinking about it a little more. I was mainly thinking about eBay when I voted and I pretty much always snipe an auction I want to win. It really isn't an option with other auction sites.