topic Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ??? in Community Chat

Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

sarahpanda — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 14:00:38 GMT

I've found something on Ebay that I really want. I've never ''bid'' on anything before...scared to take the plunge I guess. I've always bought my purchases when the offer of 'buy now' is put up. Do you ''bid'' on Ebay? Are there any stumbling blocks I should be aware of? Thanks.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 14:08:08 GMT

Yes, I bid...it is like an auction or you can place your max bid and ebay will bid for you if you cannot be close to your computer and 'watch' how others are bidding. Letting ebay bid for you might keep you from over bidding as the auction comes to an end, as you might get caught up in the bidding as the auction ends.

Most things I have purchased were auctions, it's fun and dangerous, ha!...I have purchased some nice things of ebay.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

violann — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 14:41:48 GMT

I used to love purchasing on eBay, but since the requirement that you have to use PayPal was instituted, I never shop there. I do have nephew who shops there for me once in a while.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

occasionalrain — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 20:24:56 GMT

Yes, I bid. First I put the item on my summery/watch page then I do a search to see if the same item is being offered by another seller and compare condition, prices, and their feedback.

Then I go to the left hand side of the page and check 'completed items' to see what the going price is for the item or items that are similar to it.

Finally, I bid the max I'm willing to pay as close to the end of the auction as I can to prevent what are called nibblers from driving up the price.

I hope you win it.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

chickenbutt — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 20:27:05 GMT

I used to a lot more. Now, if it's not a BIN, I snipe with esnipe. I don't want to miss it and I just punch in my highest bid all at one time. If I get it, good. If not, that's ok too. I would say that I have won 99% of the time, though.

I used to manually snipe. I was so happy when I got my personal best years ago - one second! Nowhere to go from there, but it was a thrill.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

occasionalrain — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 20:29:33 GMT

On 2/27/2014 violann said: I used to love purchasing on eBay, but since the requirement that you have to use PayPal was instituted, I never shop there. I do have nephew who shops there for me once in a while.

I don't know why PayPal doesn't appeal to you. To me, it's wonderful. I can choose to have them pay it directly from my checking account or put it on a credit card. The seller does not see either nor do they know which was used. If you are concerned about PayPal having access to your main bank account or credit card, you can set up a saving account that is used only for PayPal or an Ebay credit card and use it for just Ebay purchases. I've used PayPal for years and have never had a problem.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

occasionalrain — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 20:33:15 GMT

On 2/27/2014 chickenbutt said:
I used to a lot more. Now, if it's not a BIN, I snipe with esnipe. I don't want to miss it and I just punch in my highest bid all at one time. If I get it, good. If not, that's ok too. I would say that I have won 99% of the time, though.

I used to manually snipe. I was so happy when I got my personal best years ago - one second! Nowhere to go from there, but it was a thrill.

I should get an esnipe account. I've won a few times by just a few cents, cheap thrill that.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Hooty — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 20:49:10 GMT

No, most items I am looking for I really want, and I normally "buy it now" and "new"!

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Clover29 — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:28:46 GMT

I almost always use ensipe (or vrane). Last week, however, I placed an early bid on something, and on the final day of the auction another bidder bid up in one dollar increments until they "won" the item from me. If I'd placed a snipe bid, I'd have got the item myself and for less than my top bid. Sniping is the way to go.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

serenity4ever — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:39:52 GMT

I do bid but wait until the last fifteen seconds if there is something I really want. As far as the Buy Me Now, I make an offer first and nine times out of ten the seller agrees to my price.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Sabatini2 — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 00:57:20 GMT

I'm also a last second bidder, & sometimes it's stressful! I can remember back in the beginning when my heart would pound & hands would shake as I placed my final bid w/ a second to spare.

I haven't wanted or needed anything in quite awhile, so haven't even been over to eBay lately.

But I think you ought to take the plunge, sarah! Get a Paypal account, & enjoy yourself. (Within reason, of course.)

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

dooBdoo — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 01:40:51 GMT

On 2/27/2014 occasional rain said:
On 2/27/2014 violann said: I used to love purchasing on eBay, but since the requirement that you have to use PayPal was instituted, I never shop there. I do have nephew who shops there for me once in a while.

I don't know why PayPal doesn't appeal to you. To me, it's wonderful. I can choose to have them pay it directly from my checking account or put it on a credit card. The seller does not see either nor do they know which was used. If you are concerned about PayPal having access to your main bank account or credit card, you can set up a saving account that is used only for PayPal or an Ebay credit card and use it for just Ebay purchases. I've used PayPal for years and have never had a problem.

I agree with you, occasional rain. We've used PayPal since about 2000 or 2001, never any problems. I like the fact that it allows me to make purchases with the vendor never knowing any of my personal financial info (CC or checking account).

To the original question, I've been using both the bid and the BIN for years. I've learned to start with a low bid and give myself time to think about what I'd really be willing to pay -- I admit I've gotten carried away a few times and ended up paying more than I probably should have.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

GCR18 — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 02:08:13 GMT

I prefer buy it now, but I've done it both ways. I love PayPal. Used it for a long time, never had an issue.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Kachina624 — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 03:00:19 GMT

I use Bidnapper as I never remember when the bidding closes. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and overbid on an item. I put my bid in then forget it. If I get happy news, that's fine. If not, I'm OK too.

I'm a big fan of Paypal. Love not having to give my CC number to so many merchants. I've used it for years with no problems.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

colliemom4 — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 07:22:39 GMT

I used to, but haven't bid on anything in a long time. I do buy it now.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Group 5 minus 1 — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 15:24:00 GMT

DH bids and buys a lot. He likes Paypal. I am not so much a bidder or buyer.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Shelbelle — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:17:54 GMT

Yes, all the time for last 10 years!!! Fat Wallet now offering 1% rebate back from ebay, must click first for all bids you make.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

occasionalrain — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 06:26:47 GMT

On 2/27/2014 dooBdoo said:
On 2/27/2014 occasional rain said:
On 2/27/2014 violann said: I used to love purchasing on eBay, but since the requirement that you have to use PayPal was instituted, I never shop there. I do have nephew who shops there for me once in a while.

I don't know why PayPal doesn't appeal to you. To me, it's wonderful. I can choose to have them pay it directly from my checking account or put it on a credit card. The seller does not see either nor do they know which was used. If you are concerned about PayPal having access to your main bank account or credit card, you can set up a saving account that is used only for PayPal or an Ebay credit card and use it for just Ebay purchases. I've used PayPal for years and have never had a problem.

I agree with you, occasional rain. We've used PayPal since about 2000 or 2001, never any problems. I like the fact that it allows me to make purchases with the vendor never knowing any of my personal financial info (CC or checking account).

To the original question, I've been using both the bid and the BIN for years. I've learned to start with a low bid and give myself time to think about what I'd really be willing to pay -- I admit I've gotten carried away a few times and ended up paying more than I probably should have.

About overbidding, one time I mistakenly put a comma instead of a decimal point in my bid; of course I won the item, an antique necklace, but was surprised at what it cost me.

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

Feline Fine — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 07:19:33 GMT

Only once, for a $10 watch I'd been looking for for years. Good experience, though.

Normally not a fan of bidding, as it's a PITA and I'd much rather just "buy it now". You can still get a great price if you carefully shop by the "price + shipping, lowest first".

Re: Ebay users....Do You Bid ???

deb5555 — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 20:31:07 GMT

I like BIN as well, don't forget to sign up for ebay bucks, good deal!