topic Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay? in Shoes

Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

cactusjack — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 03:21:21 GMT

How do you prevent being outbid at the last second?? Any wise tips from veterans??

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Wildapple — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 03:31:41 GMT

Determine what your top bid will be and get it in early because in the event of a tie the earliest bid wins. That way you never overpay or get caught up in a bidding frenzy. Hope that helps.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Q4u — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 03:38:13 GMT

You can't. But what I've been seeing lately are small incremental bids in order to keep the price down. And I've seen quite a few auctions not have bids at the last few minutes which has surprised me. I'm one of those last few second snipers (sorry) but that's what you have to do to win, and when you do snipe, put in the most you're willing to pay. If it's at $25 and it's holding in the last few minutes, and you're willing to pay $150 because the item is really worth it.... wait until the last 10 seconds and put in $150. Chances are the people waiting till the last few seconds won't be willing to go that high and you'll win it. Don't put in what they call a nuclear bid... bidding $5,000 to be sure you'll win. You never know what someone else might do and you'll be responsible for the cost of the item should you win at any amount.

Also, stagger the amount, instead of a flat $150, try putting in $151.76. This will beat out the sniper who puts in a flat even number... will even beat the sniper that puts in $151.00.

Also, if last second sniping causes your hands to shake (I get really anxious) but I still snipe manually. There are some sniping programs out there. I've never had one, but if you research it I'm sure you'll find one. It'll get you set up and it'll automatically get that bid in there with a second to spare....!

Bidding has changed over the years (been on eBay since around 2000) and the bidders seem to want to keep the item insanely low. So if you bid reasonable prices regarding the worth of the item at the last minute you have a good shot at winning.

Good luck~!

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

champagnepoodle — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 03:41:06 GMT

Snipe at 3 seconds

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Clover29 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:06:35 GMT

Esnipe costs a few cents, but you can have lots of snipes running at the same time. Vrane is free but you can only have one at a time. I've never had one fail, other than as a result of me not bidding high enough. Technically, they always work as promised. Once you've sniped, you will never go back to bidding the old fashioned way.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

cactusjack — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:06:52 GMT

OMG, this sounds so serious! This sounds scary for a newbie like me :0 Thanks so very much for the responses, especially Q4U. That was a very detailed response and helped me so much!! Happy shopping!!

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:14:10 GMT

If you use the eBay app, you can see the seconds counting down and you can hit it at the 3 second mark.

That seems to be the key. I watch my end of auctions on my app and watch what people do. It's kinda fun to watch.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Nana5 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:18:58 GMT

ITA with Q4U.

I bid manually at the last five seconds with the highest amount I'm willing to pay for the item. I don't always get my item but more than 75% of the time I do get it. Usually for a lot less than the highest bid I would have been willing to pay.

Bidding on Ebay and winning is a learning experience.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

cactusjack — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:30:24 GMT

Yes it sounds like its a learning with experience. I have never been a gambler with my money and I think it takes that willingness to be bold to win something you really want.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Kachina624 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:33:04 GMT

Join a sniping service if you seriously want to win auctions. They bid for you in the last split second. I use Bidnapper.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

lucylover64 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:34:07 GMT

On 1/18/2015 Nana5 said:
ITA with Q4U.

I bid manually at the last five seconds with the highest amount I'm willing to pay for the item. I don't always get my item but more than 75% of the time I do get it. Usually for a lot less than the highest bid I would have been willing to pay.

Bidding on Ebay and winning is a learning experience.

Agreed! If it's something I REALLY want, will wait until the last 30-45 seconds and then go for it w/ bid of highest amount willing to pay......and as Q4U posted, I also bid an "odd" amount for my highest bid. Good luck!!!

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

bonnielu — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:43:12 GMT

I have been cheated once or twice by the seller having an accomplice. When it was easier to track your bidding opponents I was able to prove the situation. Now everything is in code so it is impossible to identify anyone. The bidding names are not listed as they once were.

With that said, I always bid the price I am willing to pay. I watch and bid within an hour or two of the end of the bid. If anyone bids before me I usually just let it go. I will not get into a bidding war with anyone. Too many other opportunities out there.

I also literally make friends of the seller by asking questions, writing them a few times and checking to see how they respond to me. I will never bid if I don't get an answer.

I am a successful bidder, have gotten some really nice items and as I said before make new friends.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

depglass — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 04:43:37 GMT

Check out completed bids (over on the left side of the main search page for that item - there is a box to check) to see what the average going price of that item is. You will then know if you are in the ball park or not. Most sniping services suggest sniping at 6 seconds, it depends how good your ISP is if you snipe manually.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Kachina624 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 07:18:24 GMT

My sniping service snipes for me...that's what the do. They have equipment that can bid faster than any home computer. I give them my maximum bid, they bid for me and notify me of the results. I often forget about it and am surprised to hear I won something.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Q4u — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:12:11 GMT

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This is called Shill bidding (for the OP) and is illegal. Not just against ebay policies, but against Federal Law. Although eBay made it more difficult to prove, you can "see" the random IDs (like *123**) and you can see how many feedback they have (these IDs are always either new or very low feedback) and you can take those suspected IDs to eBay to investigate. eBay can "see" who it is and track them. It's a serious thing because these sellers pad their items with IDs they either make up (you can have as many IDs on eBay as you want, which I find ridiculous).... or they have friends get IDs in order to make shill bids on the item.

If you suspect shill bidding and one of the shills "wins" the item, 9 times out of 10, the seller will relist the item! If you see that item come back up for sale and you have made a copy of the list of bidders that would be enough evidence for at least an investigation.

Good luck, have fun .... it really is exciting to bid on auctions and you can get some really good deals.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

bonnielu — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:47:05 GMT

Yes, I agree it is against the law not to mention it isn't fair or nice, etc. But it was easier to catch and I did make one or two reports. I buy mostly square dance clothing and it seems pretty safe. However when I dabble in pendants (necklaces) the sellers have massive lists of items for sale. What I bid on always seems to have another buyer. What I watch and watch and never bid on... just watching... no bid. It is almost as if they bid when we do... lay in wait and then UP the bid. And because their inventory is sooo high it is not an easy thing to say what is RELISTED (the exact same item).

I don't buy electronics or high priced items. Not going there.

Did have one problem. Seller used same tracking number for two packages.... Got only one on Saturday morning. Other part missing. No idea how something can be tracked if it is already delivered.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

chickenbutt — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:52:38 GMT

I agree - snipe. I used to manually snipe (before the programs) and actually had a personal best of one second. But I started using esnipe years ago. It has never failed me.

Some people don't like sniping but the reality is that, no matter how or when somebody bids, the highest gets the win. If you want to win, have the highest proxy. If you REALLY want to win, snipe.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

StylishLady — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:48:16 GMT

If I set my sights on something, I figure what I really want to pay, get the bidding going around 1 day early and if it gets too high for my budget then so be it. Right now I am seriously thinking about bidding on a nice new leather jacket. I guess I'll find out soon.

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

Q4u — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 23:20:48 GMT

On 1/19/2015 bonnielu said:
Yes, I agree it is against the law not to mention it isn't fair or nice, etc. But it was easier to catch and I did make one or two reports. I buy mostly square dance clothing and it seems pretty safe. However when I dabble in pendants (necklaces) the sellers have massive lists of items for sale. What I bid on always seems to have another buyer. What I watch and watch and never bid on... just watching... no bid. It is almost as if they bid when we do... lay in wait and then UP the bid. And because their inventory is sooo high it is not an easy thing to say what is RELISTED (the exact same item).

I don't buy electronics or high priced items. Not going there.

Did have one problem. Seller used same tracking number for two packages.... Got only one on Saturday morning. Other part missing. No idea how something can be tracked if it is already delivered.

Oh I know, and it's awful how complicated it all is. Believe it or not, eBay did this to stop all (their term) "vigilantes" out there trying to catch Sellers because some buyers were warning the Sellers' other buyers and sometimes the vigilantes got it all wrong, causing a lot of grief for legitimate sellers who were actually doing no wrong (this was a long time ago). But I agree 1,000 that it is now very difficult to catch Shillers.

Actually, I rarely bid on auctions anymore and will do more BINs than auctions. If the seller has an item I want and the price is reasonable, I'll just buy it. No fuss no muss.... and I've moved on to all BINs (Buy It Now) as a Seller, with Immediate Payment (the item won't come down as sold unless payment is made through Paypal) and I no longer have buyers placing a BIN and then not paying "until next month". Meanwhile my item comes down as sold, out of circulation, and the buyer expects me to keep it until they have money for it. I also don't accept returns because of all the "renters"... they buy something, wear it for an event or longer and then return it in pretty used condition (like a NWT Burberry Coat or a very high end NWT Handbag) thinking us Mom and Pop sellers are Nordstroms or WalMart.

It's a system that's been working very well for me for quite a while now. Once in awhile I'll get caught up in an auction, but it's rarer for me...

I love selling and buying on eBay....

Re: Any tips for how to win bids on eBay?

cactusjack — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 03:14:09 GMT

When I started this thread I had no idea how sophisticated this eBay thing is!! It's a tough world out there! I just want an honest price for a decent product. No misleading or cheating the buyer please. I appreciate all of you posting your knowledge and experiences here for me! I have truly been educated by you great ladies!!!