What exactly does "sniping" refer to? I've always understood it to mean using software, but some of the responses here sound like just sitting at your computer and watching the clock tick down and then manually bidding is sniping. I'd have to disagree with that, as I think that's just smart bidding. But there's no doubt that sniper software is frustrating. It doesn't happen to me often because I do sit at my pc and hit "confirm bid" with about 7 seconds left, but it riles me up when it does happen.

 

But generally speaking, I share in the frustrations expressed here when it comes to Ebay. I posted a rant about the same thing in the Ebay forums a couple weeks ago. The quality of sellers and of merchandise has really gone downhill in the past couple of years. Lack of detailed pictures, lack of any sort of detailed description, exhorbitant opening bid/Buy It Now prices. Collecting from there just isn't as fun as it used to be.

 

As a result of this, I've decided to really streamline my collecting. I'm going to straight MISB collecting, as someone else here mentioned. I'll still have to use Ebay for vintage G1 stuff, and I accept that. but I'm going to try and buy Encore series stuff from online sellers, like ToynK, and just pay the higher prices, as that way I know there is more accountability than a 1-line feedback.

Ever try Tfieds?

 

Yes it suxrs

 

Amen. Got ripped off to the tune of 30 bucks on tfieds.

Weak.

 

 

I've had zero eBay problems, but I've only made, maybe, a half dozen eBay purchases ever, most - if not all - of them being BINs, and I've never sold anything on it. Most of my collecting is new stuff anyway, and on the rare occasion I'm buying something older, I like to see it in person before paying for it as often as possible.

eBay is the bomb...or my bomb, anyway. Its my favorite time-wasting, money-sucking website. However, I do get a bit peeved when I constantly get outbid on that MOC Darkwing Duck...

What exactly does "sniping" refer to? I've always understood it to mean using software, but some of the responses here sound like just sitting at your computer and watching the clock tick down and then manually bidding is sniping. I'd have to disagree with that, as I think that's just smart bidding. But there's no doubt that sniper software is frustrating. It doesn't happen to me often because I do sit at my pc and hit "confirm bid" with about 7 seconds left, but it riles me up when it does happen.

 

That's the technical definition, but I believe most people are upset by the software portion rather than the guy sitting at his computer and plugging in a bid at 3 in the morning.

I don't have a problem with eBay... I always know what I'm buying before I bid and do my research... I also only use sellers who have a high enough rating a few or no negative feedbacks... if they do have negs, I always read the comments why... and up to now i have had no issues with sellers.

 

I think 'sniping', if you can call it that, is all good... unless you're using some kinda snipe software because you're a lazy f***... personally, i always bid with about 10-15 secs left and there's nothing like the adrenaline rush you get from beating some f***er who's been jacking the price up (moronically) only to lose the thing in the last second.

 

I do hate idiots who bid early, I think that's my biggest beef with eBay... I mean for f**ks sake... that's what *watch this item* is for!!!!

 

also, I always set an absolute maximum I am prepared to pay for the figure in the last few seconds... and if someone else if prepared to pay more, then fair dues... on the odd occasion, I have also been offered a second chance auction... one of which allowed me to buy Headmaster Jr. Soundblaster for £25!

 

buyers on the other hand can be arses... on the odd occasion i have sold things, some deadbeat bast**ds have not even messaged me let alone paid... not sold anything for a year or so, so I wouldn't know about the fees eBay is charging.

 

never had a problem with sellers' shipping fees either... i know some are mentally high as previously stated, but they're often listed, so if you don't like the total price, don't bid! I think it's a good idea to get around eBay/PayPal fees personally... so long as the sellers posts the P+P prices. If you bid on something that doesn't have P+P charges listed, and you don't ask the seller how much the charges are, then you deserve to be stung.

I never understood why people get so upset with sniping programs. If the sniper wins, all it means is that in the end they were willing to pay more than you. If you get mad at sniping programs than you have to get mad at anyone bidding at the last couple seconds.

What exactly does "sniping" refer to? I've always understood it to mean using software, but some of the responses here sound like just sitting at your computer and watching the clock tick down and then manually bidding is sniping. I'd have to disagree with that, as I think that's just smart bidding. But there's no doubt that sniper software is frustrating. It doesn't happen to me often because I do sit at my pc and hit "confirm bid" with about 7 seconds left, but it riles me up when it does happen.

 

That's the technical definition, but I believe most people are upset by the software portion rather than the guy sitting at his computer and plugging in a bid at 3 in the morning.

 

Ebay had learned from those guys and sniping is actually a feature you can use now.

I do hate idiots who bid early, I think that's my biggest beef with eBay... I mean for f**ks sake... that's what *watch this item* is for!!!!

 

:pfx I'll never understand, when an auction last for 10 days for example, why people bid it up to $500 or something stupid with 9 days left in the auction. Frankly, I don't understand the whole bidding deal anyway. If a G1 Optimus Prime is listed for $.99, why bid $2.50 for it? All you're doing is sending yourself an extra email for when you get outbid.

yah. it's mostly the seller fees and the inability for sellers to leave buyer feedback that have really pissed me off.

 

I can still leave feedback to my buyers...

 

 

Yeah, but you can only leave positive feedback now. So if the buyer was a slow pay, if the buyer accused you of wrongdoing when there was none, of if the buyer was just being a total ass... the seller has no discourse. That's crap. The notion that the buyer should solely be graded on "did they pay you?" is :fail

 

 

I never understood why people get so upset with sniping programs. If the sniper wins, all it means is that in the end they were willing to pay more than you. If you get mad at sniping programs than you have to get mad at anyone bidding at the last couple seconds.

 

Because sniping programs don't make the playing field level. If you're gonna bid on something and have a set amount, just bid for chrissakes! In the past, I have two levels I bid at. I bid at my initial high to keep it low, but if it gets tight towards the last minute I have a real dollar amount I'll bid instead. It takes on average 5-7sec for someone to confirm a bid, the bot can do it instant. That's BS.

What exactly does "sniping" refer to? I've always understood it to mean using software, but some of the responses here sound like just sitting at your computer and watching the clock tick down and then manually bidding is sniping. I'd have to disagree with that, as I think that's just smart bidding. But there's no doubt that sniper software is frustrating. It doesn't happen to me often because I do sit at my pc and hit "confirm bid" with about 7 seconds left, but it riles me up when it does happen.

 

That's the technical definition, but I believe most people are upset by the software portion rather than the guy sitting at his computer and plugging in a bid at 3 in the morning.

 

Ebay had learned from those guys and sniping is actually a feature you can use now.

 

 

Really? I must have missed that button.

What exactly does "sniping" refer to? I've always understood it to mean using software, but some of the responses here sound like just sitting at your computer and watching the clock tick down and then manually bidding is sniping. I'd have to disagree with that, as I think that's just smart bidding. But there's no doubt that sniper software is frustrating. It doesn't happen to me often because I do sit at my pc and hit "confirm bid" with about 7 seconds left, but it riles me up when it does happen.

 

That's the technical definition, but I believe most people are upset by the software portion rather than the guy sitting at his computer and plugging in a bid at 3 in the morning.

 

Ebay had learned from those guys and sniping is actually a feature you can use now.

 

 

Really? I must have missed that button.

 

Its not on the auction page. I think you get the option when you get outbid on something... Let me check my email for any outbids...

 

Yea its on the outbid notice email. It says "win next time with Countdown".