Not really OT: Ebay question

Well everyone had great advice on bidding, but I do have a tip for you. If the price is edging up to the maximum you want to pay, click on "View Seller's Other Auctions." Even if it's a one-of-a-kind item like a lampwork bead, the seller might have a similar bead in similar colors that you'd be just as happy with. And if its Czech glass, crystals or seeds, there's a very good chance they have listed it more than once. Also, if it is a lampwork bead, see if there's a website you can check out. Or a JustBeads auction. Obviously, you like the artist's work, there might be another bead there that you also like. And if you lose the auction, bookmark the artist and check back next week, next month, whenever. Again, there will be something else you like coming up soon.

Happy Bidding, Cheri Cheri (Bubbee to Emily and Nathan)

Thanks Sooz. 8-D I hope it helps the newbie Ebayers. Cheri (Bubbee to Emily and Nathan)

But sniper bidding, that is, waiting until the very very very end (like, 15 seconds) to bid, is against eBay rules. Happens ALL THE TIME, but it IS against the rules. Pretty much the worst that can happen is the person that was outbid could complain to eBay, which in turn would investigate, & put a hold on your transaction. You might have to wait months to get your item!

Kyla: Could you post the link, please? I have been buying and selling on ebay since 1997 (or whenever it started) and many times bid in the last 10 seconds because that's when I have been online and have seen the item. I can't wait to see the chapter and verse where ebay prohibits such a thing.

I've been doing that. And that's how I found the bead that I did get. :-) The lampwork stuff is sooooooooooo cool and if if I think I've never seen anything as fabulous ab Bead A, then I find Bead B. Zowie!

Do you have any citation for this? (Link to eBay official policy site, etc.) I've been bidding on eBay for years and have never heard of such a policy except from people who HATE HATE HATE sniping. Until I see proof to the contrary, I will continue to believe it's wishful thinking.

Celine

seconds) to bid, is against eBay rules. Happens ALL THE TIME, but it IS against the rules.

No, it's not against the rules. You are allowed to bid up until the very last second of the auction.

If you ask eBay, they will encourage you to take advantage of the proxy bidding system, but will also tell you that you have every right to place your bid when ever you feel like it. Whether as soon as you see the item or at the last second.

Katie

~~ KatieLiz ~~

I will look for it. I was told by an eBay service rep, while in an online chat with him (you know that online help interface eBay has?). It is not against the rules to bid when you happen across an auction ending, or you suddenly remember the auction you had been watching. Sniper bidding is actively waiting, constantly refreshing the page, or whatever, until the very last seconds, to place your bid. It's the intention behind the last minute bid that makes it ok or not. This is why they have to investigate.

All he told me about the investigation process was that they start by looking at the bidding history of the individual being investigated. They look to see if bidding in the very last seconds is common practice for him/her. I don't know what they do after that.

I'm well aware that I could have been given false information. This is just what I was told by the eBay rep I talked to.

Well, you guys were right! It says that the eBay Investigation Team does not investigate sniping, but does call it "inappropriate buyer activity". The reason it gives is that it is not possible for eBay to control it. Yeah, ok, I can see that. Makes me a bit irritated that one of their employees lied to me :-\

I did learn that it is against eBay rules for family members or people that work together to bid on one another's items. News to me; I've bid on quite a few things that my mom has listed, mainly because we live in different states, and she sells a lot of books I want. I've always paid her, too! My DH has sold a lot of RC car stuff through eBay, and found that the winner was a co-worker. I can understand how it could be a problem, though.

It's not against the rules at all. Sniping is perfectly legal on ebay. As long as the bid is placed before the end time, it's legal.

If that were true, ebay would shut down places like aucitonsniper.com and esnipe.com. You were misinformed by that rep - but I am not sure why they would misinform you, since the more bids ebay gets, the more money they get.

Where does it say that exactly?

Bidding personally in the last seconds is different from using snipe ware to do it.

Tina

I imagine bids by co-workers refers to someone working in your same (eg, bead) business.

Tina

No, it really isn't. Both are legal, both are pretty much the same.

Oh, OK.

Tina

Ok, this is so freaking ridiculous! You guys are basically calling me a liar, and LAUGHING at me?! If you would go back and read my post, I was not trying to attack a style of bidding. I was trying to HELP. Also, Sooz, if you had READ my posts, you would KNOW where I heard that. From an EBAY EMPLOYEE, hired to answer questions! What do you expect me to think when eBay themselves tell me that it was a rule?? I'm sorry if it was wrong, but you know what? I went and looked it up, came back, and ADMITTED I was wrong. Still, I get laughed at. It's obvious I have hit a nerve here, to warrant this kind of defensive behavior.

I am appalled at this rudeness. A simple "I think your information is wrong; maybe you should go check it out" would have been much better than calling it wishful thinking, or laughing at me.

I wasn't saying I agreed or disagreed with sniping, I was just trying to pass on the info that I had gotten from the horse's mouth. Act like grown ups, will you please?

Wow - I certainly didn't mean to imply that you were lying, Kyla, just that the rep you talked to didn't tell you the truth. I honestly think that if ebay didn't approve of sniping, they would make that more apparent to everyone. I just have never ever heard of anyone being investigated for sniping, and I have been doing ebay since it began. But I did see that you were just reporting what you had been told, so I do apologize if I offended by my posts. I basically was just reporting what I know, as well. I don't see where anyone was rude or calling you a liar - I would have to go back and re-read the thread though.

I'm sorry, I wrote an apology for how rude my last post came out, but I don't see it now...

I didn't mean to be rude, I was just exasperated. I have read back through the thread, and I think I did overreact. It was just Sooz's HAWs that got to me. I should know better by now not too take those too personally ;o)

I got two hours of sleep last night, and I'm up now at almost 4am with a baby that just won't sleep....I think I took my frustration out on you guys. I have never been a believer in retaliation (when it comes to internet forums), and I am very sorry. Thank you for apologizing, though, I believe, you probably didn't need to.

I'm so sorry for firing off!