Sniper service?

[larsdog]

Not sure what sealed bids give as a benefit.

What I mean by "sealed bid" could also be called "sniper proxy". It's just a way to sniper if you know you WANT to sniper but you won't be able to because of other commitments. You just make your "sealed bid" / "sniper proxy bid" through StampWants and it is AUTOMATICALLY placed with 1 second to go. Also handy of you want to sniper two auctions that end at about the same time. Nobody sees what your bid is or even that it exists until it is applied at the end of the auction, exactly like a sniper bid. You can still sniper the same way as before, but if you have a social engagement, you no longer have to sneak off to sniper something. You can set the sniper proxy ahead of time and relax.

The problem I have with the sniper services is that they cost money to use them and I don't successfully sniper in a large enough volume to justify the cost, but if sniper by proxy was available free of charge through StampWants, I would use it.

[oneeaglelover]

That makes sense...And yes, it would be nice to have that without paying...But, I guess it takes up server space I would probably use it if available...
Supposedly, you can beat the 1 second bid over at Feebay...they take it down to the final second...I assume it would be the same here?!? I notice most snipes are in the 3-10 sec range. Guess folks don't trust their watch I have even received nasty emails from folks who lost to me - 'one second!!'...hey, snooze, u lose or just bid higher next time I never reply back

[bennettoons]

I can't count how many times I have missed out on a planned sniping expedition, because all of the auction ending times here on StampWants are Eastern Time!!

I know it's a simple process to just mentally subtract 3 hours to get the correct time for my time zone . . .

. . . but after years and years of looking at the proper ending time on TSTSNBN, I have failed to adapt! I know it sounds like I'm temporally challenged, but I wonder how many other bidders are like me?

There must be an easy way for StampWants to tailor the time we see to our own time zones. Any chance of that, Mark

[deaconsbench]

Not sure what sealed bids give as a benefit.

The problem I have with the sniper services is that they cost money to use them and I don't successfully sniper in a large enough volume to justify the cost, but if sniper by proxy was available free of charge through StampWants, I would use it.

This seems to be an emotional issue for a few. I use EZsniper to remove emotion from others that may be caused by a visible bid from me. I bid to win, not for the adventure. As far as the cost, my average bid costs me 10 cents. Good discussion! If you decide to go that route, feel free to use me as your referral! (charleston_antique_paper_framer... I know, it's a shameless plug to round up a few free snipes. Is this a great country or what? )

[oneeaglelover]

AND U R SO SHAMELESS!! YES, GREAT COUNTRY. I WILL KEEP YA IN MIND
Beside, I think there is a lot of us over here that can be shameless!

[larsdog]

That makes sense...And yes, it would be nice to have that without paying...But, I guess it takes up server space I would probably use it if available...
Supposedly, you can beat the 1 second bid over at Feebay...they take it down to the final second...I assume it would be the same here?!? I notice most snipes are in the 3-10 sec range. Guess folks don't trust their watch I have even received nasty emails from folks who lost to me - 'one second!!'...hey, snooze, u lose or just bid higher next time I never reply back

The reason most snipes are in the 5 second range is that 5 seconds is good enough. If the "other guy" refreshes his screen with 5 seconds left, it's difficult for him to mentally process what he sees, decide on a new bid amount and then execute the transaction before the auction ends. (Remember, this is a rookie we're talking about. If he knew what he was doing he would be putting in his own sniper bid instead of refreshing his browser). The reason 5 seconds is better than 1 second is that ties go to the earlier bidder. If I bid $20.01 with 5 seconds left (and I use up all that amount) and then you try to bid $20.07 with 1 second left (because you haven't seen my bid yet), I will win because your bid will be rejected as below the minimum acceptable bid. Also, you don't have a direct connection to the auction server. There are intermediate connections to worry about. If your ISP is having a bandwidth issue when you place your bid, there could be a lag of a few seconds.

The only reason I can think of to bid at 1 second is to stay under the RADAR as much as possible. That way your bid probably doesn't even show up unless you win. I suppose if you're worried that someone else will find out what you're willing to bid that could be a consideration.

[deaconsbench]

Another benefit I've found in using the service is that if the bidding does go nuts, my (now obvious) little bid won't show up under the bidder list. Keeps me from looking like the cheap schmuck I've been known to be. I've even thought up a club name for like-minded bidders: "The Auction Bottom-Feeders Preservation Society". I got the idea when I attended a live auction in my area last weekend. I don't think the auctioneer likes me much now. (That became obvious when he refused to entertain my low bid at an absolute auction! )

[oneeaglelover]

I hear ya there...I was bidding on a USIR WM and the pic was even posted (in WM fluid)...The 8c bureau error...I thought I was all cocky with my multi thousand dollar bid (without refresh) and I was so far down the list when I checked auction end...hey, I bid what I would pay...Yes, someone could check the time I bid (1 second)...I just didn't have a big enuff, uh, NUMBER, yeah, amount, that's it...
I am sure no one looked to see that far down for the cheapskate...yes, it was a whole bunch a money on that one...win some, u lose some...now, where did my da*n C3a go????

[larsdog]

Another benefit I've found in using the service is that if the bidding does go nuts, my (now obvious) little bid won't show up under the bidder list. Keeps me from looking like the cheap schmuck I've been known to be. I've even thought up a club name for like-minded bidders: "The Auction Bottom-Feeders Preservation Society". I got the idea when I attended a live auction in my area last weekend. I don't think the auctioneer likes me much now. (That became obvious when he refused to entertain my low bid at an absolute auction! )

On the other hand I very OFTEN employ the two pronged approach of bottom-feeder from day 1 and sniper in the eleventh-hour. If the bid is above my max in the 11th hour, everyone just assumes I'm a bottom feeder. Otherwise they can see my sniper bid at the end. Either way I don't give a rat's fat behind WHAT anyone else thinks. I'm not bidding to make friends. I'm bidding to get a stamp that RIGHTFULLY BELONGS IN MY COLLECTION!!! (Sorry the medication took a break for a moment).

I haven't had to do much snipering here because there aren't as many bidders for the stuff I seem to be looking at, often the opening bid is my max so I'm just a bottom feeder, and I've had some good luck with MAKE AN OFFER. However, it's a strategy I would employ without hesitation if need be.

Sniper on young lads!

[oneeaglelover]

Now, young man, if the count and the buyers ups it's count here, like I think it is going to do...beware Lars!!
Won't b able to sit back fat and sassy and get it all for cheap ...
Take care
Rich

[larsdog]

Now, young man, if the count and the buyers ups it's count here, like I think it is going to do...beware Lars!!
Won't b able to sit back fat and sassy and get it all for cheap ...
Take care
Rich

Ah, but CHEAP isn't the goal (although it would be nice), I want it WHOLESALE. Dealers and resellers don't bid emotionally (most of the time), and even if they sniper they won't outbid me unless I'm bidding too low. I just want to avoid a bidding war or a nibble attack from a newbie.

[oneeaglelover]

Roger that...
or the ones that want it at ALL cost, no matter the value. I hate to see a good stamp go to a waste

[larsdog]

Roger that...
or the ones that want it at ALL cost, no matter the value. I hate to see a good stamp go to a waste

[michael78651]

If I want an item, I will use whatever strategy I think will permit me to be the prevailing bid at the end. I use all tactics, but not all at all times. I usually get what I want.

[larsdog]

If I want an item, I will use whatever strategy I think will permit me to be the prevailing bid at the end. I use all tactics, but not all at all times. I usually get what I want.

I almost ALWAYS get what I want. Fortunately for me I'm married to a beautiful woman, so...

Oh, wait a minute, we were talking about STAMPS!!! Oops. My bad.