From: lisa (view author's auctions)
Topic: Re: Who is this?? -- "bricebay.com thread"
Message: 54 of 54 (In response to user)
Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 15:05:54 -0700
Hello all! It is perfectly fine for any bidder to snipe on an auction. This is not against our rules. Some may not believe in doing it or like having it done to them, but again, it is not against the rules.
Lisa
From: daphne (view author's auctions)
Topic: Re: eBay Workshop: Bidding Basics
Message: 4 of 54 (In response to user)
Sent: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 15:10:45 -0800
Hello. Thanks for joining us! Bidding in the last few moments of an auction is called "sniping," and there's nothing illegal about it, although you are correct that it can be a controversial subject for some members. While there's nothing wrong with sniping, eBay's advice to all bidders is that they do their research up front, then bid the very highest amount they are willing to pay and let the proxy system take over from there (more on this later). If you use the proxy system, it will not matter if the auction is "sniped" at the last moment. Sniper or no sniper, the ONLY way the another bidder will win is if they bid a higher amount than your proxy. :)
Daphne
From: daphne (view author's auctions)
Topic: Re: eBay Workshop: Bidding Basics
Message: 15 of 54 (In response to user)
Sent: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 16:16:55 -0800
Hello. The "nibblers" you describe are people who don't know to use the proxy system, or who refuse to use it for some reason. It's certainly a preference, and, as I said, bidding at the last moment is not illegal. We just don't recommend it, if you want to have the best chance of getting the item . . . Snipers don't really know what the high-bid is... they guess, and many of them win, because people do not use a proxy bid, or they do not bid highest amount they are willing to pay. If you are willing to pay 51.50, then bid that amount. If the sniper wins at $52.50, you shouldn't feel too bad, because you were not willing to go that high. Remember to think carefully about your proxy and what you think is the absolute highest amount you feel the item is worth to you.
Daphne
From: daphne (view author's auctions)
Topic: Re: eBay Workshop: Bidding Basics
Message: 28 of 54 (In response to)
Sent: Sun, 07 Jan 2001 18:22:40 -0800
Hello. Welcome, and thanks for posting. We've seen this suggestion [auction extension] before, but I don't see eBay moving to this solution, frankly. If you look at it one way, the time during which the bidding happens is irrelevant. Two snipers out to get the same auction will run up the bidding level just like two bidders at the beginning of the auction will...it's just that they do it at the very end of the auction. If there is a real demand for an item, the bids will come.
Daphne
From: daphne (view author's auctions)
Topic: Re: Snipers How To Workshop
Message: 6 of 13 (In response to)
Sent: Mon, 14 May 2001 17:55:53 -0700
Wow... I think you should have called this workshop "The Art of Sniping!" :) Just for the record, contrary to what some people think, there's no rule against "sniping," or bidding in the last moments of the auction. You will hear all kinds of debates about which method (proxy bidding or sniping) is more effective, and eBay would recommend proxy bidding, but bidding at the last moment of the auction is perfectly acceptable and legal.
Daphne
From: (view author's auctions)
Topic: Re: Snipers How To Workshop
Message: 31 of 32 (In response to daphne)
Sent: Sun, 20 May 2001 04:48:46 -0700
Good morning... Is there anything unfair, unethical, or immoral about sniping?
From: daphne (view author's auctions)
Topic: Re: Snipers How To Workshop
Message: 32 of 32 (In response to)
Sent: Sun, 20 May 2001 19:38:28 -0700
If it were any of those things, we wouldn't allow it. It's just a different approach. Bidders who don't like snipers, should bid high and rest easy. :)
Daphne
katy
4:39am November 15, 2001 (#233 of 233)
Hello everyone, I understand that losing an item that you really wanted can be frustrating, particularly if you are not aware of the possibility of last-minute bidding. We always recommend that you place your very highest proxy, since that is your best safeguard. If you do that, even in the case of a tie, you will be the winner unless someone else is willing to pay more.
Until and unless eBay changes the rules, every bid is a legitimate bid. For those who prefer extended auctions, there are sites that offer that. There are also Store and Bin items for those who are not happy with the current auction process on eBay. Just a little reminder; it is not appropriate to email bidders with your displeasure at their legal bidding. If these emails are unwelcome, the recipient may turn them in to SafeHarbor.
Regards,
Katy
Bidding/Buyer:Sniping (from the FAQ pages)
"Sniping" is the practice of waiting until the last few minutes or seconds of an eBay auction and then placing a bid hoping to outbid the current high bidder. Most bidders, who are used to the more traditional auctions where the gavel only falls when there are no more bids, feel annoyed and frustrated by this type of bidding. We encourage all members to use the proxy bidding system that is in place to bid the absolute maximum they are willing to pay for an item right from the start and let the proxy bidding system work for them. This way, although it may be disheartening if they are outbid, they won't be paying more than they were willing to. We hope this information helps you understand this type of bidding practice.
Re: Auctions violates eBay TOS (KMM27240070C0KM)
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 15:30:12 -0700
From: eBay Safe Harbor
To:
[Explanation for the above email: User had asked if a seller could run the following Terms of Sale for her auctions: "ANTI-SNIPING NOTICE: I do not tolerate sniping on my auctions. if you have any intention of bidding, please do it early. Any bids placed by new bidders 5 minutes prior to end of auction, will be invalid. This keeps the auctions fair and fun."
Re: Auctions violates eBay TOS
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2001 12:14:17
From: eBay Safe Harbor
To: englandboy
[Explanation for the above email: englandboy had asked if a seller could run the following Terms of Sale for her auctions: "We reserve the right to refuse any bids that are placed at the last minute,(Vulture bidding) so don't be shy, BID NOW to insure you get this wonderful deal."
