Bid sniping

Question

I thought on Ebay bid sniping wasn't possible.....I thought if a last second bid is placed, the selling time increased a few minutes to give others a chance?

woodland_gnome · Answer

You were misinformed.

Sniping is a defensive tactic that is the best single defense against shilling sellers. You have no need and no right to know anything about my bid to be able to bid effectively. If you can't decide your true maximum to bid in 7 days why do you believe you will do a better job in a few minutes while in an emotional state over being outbid? On the other hand a few minutes is plenty of time (particularly if it is extended by another few minutes as most auction extension proponents want) for a shiller to drive the price up to your supposedly hidden maximum and then retract the last bid if s/he goes over.

eBay's auction format is what makes it fair to those in up to 24 timezones with different work/sleep/computer schedules. Anyone can bid what the item is worth to them at any time and anyone can set up with a third party (there are reliable and secure ones which offer free limited use) to submit that bid in the last few seconds to get the defensive benefits of not having one's hidden maximum out there for others (again, including shilling sellers) to probe or otherwise base their bids on. Making it so those who are able to be there to react at the end have the advantage is unfair.

lady_madonna · Answer

@kywoodsman

A bid can be placed at any time for the duration of the auction. From the first second to the last second. All bids are allowed, and there is no auction time extension.

All bidders have an even playing field. They can place their maximum proxy bid at any point. Highest bid wins.

house*of*paws · Answer

Hi @kywoodsman You are mistaken. Auctions are for a fixed amount of time â€¦ having nothing to do with the timing of any bids, which can be placed at any time the auction is active.