AUCTION EXTENSIONS FOR BUYERS

[amricons]

Hi, would anybody object to eBay extending auctions that have activity in the last few minutes, like 5 ? Sellers may get more money, eBay would get more mony and buyers would have the opportunity to make a higher bid.  Lastly, it would elimate sniping, which still happens on ebay, is an violation of eBay pilicy, which ebay' acknowledges and still happens.  One reason I think it would improve the experience for eveybody are sveral. 

We often bid on multiple item from 1 seller and many list the items with close times within minutes of each other. 

Amyway, other auction sites do this, ie if an item has a bid they extend the auction time.

IMHO,  we would be spending a lot more money on eBay, LOl or keeps me from spending too much.

We have asked eBay why many, many times, as they seem to be seeking more top libe sales , this would increase sales at min cost and help all parties.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

YES, nearly every person who ever posts here on the boards. Auction extensions are annoying and ridiculous and encourage people to bid their minimum.

Ebay knew people would snipe when they set up a hard ending. That is why they tell everyone to bid their max. 

[castlemagicmemories]

This has been proposed numerous times through the years and most say it is a bad idea.  I agree.

Buyers aren't going to play with a never ending auction because someone can't figure out what their max bid should be.  Sorry, it doesn't work that way.  What would happen is not that sellers would get more money, they would get less, because those that want to nibble and nickel and dime them would not be bidding their true max because they want to get it for the least amount possible.

The only person that extensions helps is those who don't want to spend more money.  You are reactive bidding if you nibble bid and that doesn't work; there is no reason to change this site.  Overall your strategy has proven to be very unpopular.  

You know when the auctions ends.  Bid your max and you won't need a time extension.  Good luck.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Auction extensions are a terrible idea.

Sniping is not against any eBay policy.   In fact, eBay specifically encourages all bidders to bid their true maximum bid before the time runs out. If buyers did that, then sellers would not lose out due to stingy buyers who fail to bid their true max as eBay advises.

[emerald40]

This has been suggested many times in the past and rejected.

Ebay is not like a regular auction where bidding goes on until only one person is standing.

On ebay an auction ends at a designated time.  And I think many prefer it that way.

[castlemagicmemories]

Sniping does not violate any Ebay policy. It's a sound bidding strategy used by successful bidders.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

That said, here goes

1. As I said, auction extensions encourage people to bid their minimum so they have room to bid again.

2. When one auction extends it may overlap a competitive auction causing that auction to earn less since the bidders are committed to the first.

3. Auction extensions make shilling easier

4. Buyers have a limited amount of money. IF AE worked the way you think and if they paid more for one item they would pay less for something else.

5. We live in a global marketplace. Nobody wants to get up in the middle of the night to bid over and over only to lose because they have to go to the bathroom.

6. Auction extensions fight sniping by requiring EVERYONE to be around at the end of the listing. People have lives.

7. If Ebay thought AE would make them more money they would have adopted it 20 years ago. That's how long people have been suggesting this change.

8. AE favors people who cannot make up their mind over people who know what they want.

9. Most of the experienced bidders would leave Ebay because they don't want to deal with nibbling and potential shilling.

10. There are stories of auctions on these other sites going on for DAYS. I have a life.

[hillbillymedia]

It wouldn`t be a true auction without a definitive end time IMO.

[castlemagicmemories]

Yes, most do prefer it that way. Perhaps the OP is best suited to the other site they mention that allows extensions. But if they want to enjoy the greater variety and great prices that are here, they would need to adjust to the way things work here in order to do so as the site won't adjust to them.

[castlemagicmemories]

Outstanding post!

[estjoh-2]

I read a post on another forum a few years ago about a site that did this. a group of college kids set up a bidding system to where they could bid 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They ruined several sellers auctions.

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

I'm still unclear on the concept. If this new change would make money for Ebay and sellers how could this be a positive change for buyers? Somebody has to pay the extra money.

[estjoh-2]

@amricons

Lastly, it would elimate sniping, which still happens on ebay, is an violation of eBay pilicy

_____

Can you show any of us the policy?

[the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth]

Thank you lol! Game theory is one of my favorite things. That's why I used to spend so much time on the old bidding board.

I find when many things are suggested around here the author does not consider the implications. That goes for Ebay making changes too.

[castlemagicmemories]

With all due respect, you wouldn't be spending more money. You would be spending less because you want to reactive bid. IOW bid more only if necessary.

It doesn't help all parties. If you want to spend more money here, just bid your max bid. It doesn't mean you will spend more money, Ebay will only use one bid increment above the underbidder for you to win. But of course if someone matches, whoever bid that amount first, wins. If someone bids over you, they win.

If someone values the item more than you do, it doesn't matter if there is an extension or not, they will win. So just bid your max, knowing that you may be required to pay that if you win, but if the max isn't needed for you to win, you won't pay that.

Those that want extensions just haven't figured out what they really feel they want to pay for the item.