I just keep getting outbid at the last sec on ebay ???

maximillian

polkfarmboy,

Your original question has been answered by multiple people. The explanation for bid increments is here:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/bid-increments.html

If you are new to Ebay (or any other online service for that matter) then it's customary to read the FAQ or other helpful pages provided by the service. Such as here:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/account/gettingstarted.html
http://pages.ebay.com/storefronts/faq.html
http://answercenter.ebay.com/help.jspa

There's probably non-Ebay sources for help as well. If you don't understand how an online service works and then instead of referring to FAQ's you simply start complaining and demanding answers on forums, then you will be your own reincarnation of AOL from 1993:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September

gimpod

gdb

A little known factoid...........if your amount that you bid at the beginning of the auction is highest, you become the sniper......with confirmed "kill"!

nooshinjohn

gimpod wrote: »

Is this a picture book gimpod, because I am afraid if it's got words in it, it may be above his level of understanding.

J/K pfb...

cnh

Doro, bobman and EnderShadow have pretty much summed the problems up. I don't mess with ebay much unless I 'really' want something....and then I'm prepared to go the 'limit' because I know most people are trying to hit the Bargain Basement on an item. Outbid them or go home, or walk away!

My most recent ebay encounter involved sending a note to a seller who was selling vintage receivers. I noticed his address was just across the river from my hometown and I was going down there for a visit. So I asked him what he 'had' in stock and if he'd be willing to show me on my trip down. I'd buy it, no shipping.

To make a long story short, I met the guy--nice guy...house full of vintage stuff..NO wife and he showed me a bunch of units--I walked out with 3 for a ridiculous price because we hit it off! Of course such things don't happen often.

My advice. Decide what you want, and that you 'want' it and don't be 'cheap'!

cnh

heiney9

With Ebay you never know what something is going to sell for. I set my limit and I walk away and check my account after the auction to see if I won. Another thing, unless it's uber rare (then you should bid to win) there will always be another one FS another time.

Sometimes you have to be patient. I waited for the right seller and the right price to buy a pair of Telefunken 5965 tubes, took me 1 1/2 years to get them at what I think is a reasonable price from what I felt was a solid seller. I could have bought a new pair in the box for about $225 from a dealer. I paid a fraction of that by waiting. It's nothing I needed right away.

I've walked away from what turned out to be some good deals because I just didn't get a warm and fuzzy from the seller. Seller rep, condition, description, shipping, photo's all play a part in me deciding if I'm even going to bid. I have bought a LOT of stellar tubes on Ebay that would have cost me 3-5 times more buying from a tube dealer. But I also assume more risk, but I try to mitigate that risk because I ask the right questions and do the proper due diligence.

It's not rocket science PFB.

H9

heiney9

cnh wrote: »

My advice. Decide what you want, and that you 'want' it and don't be 'cheap'!

cnh

If you are "cheap" like me, expect to loose many auctions but eventually one will come along and you'll win. For me the max price I bid isn't just based solely on the item. A good seller who has nice descriptions, lots of photo's, is quick to respond to questions, great feedback and a general good attitude will decide how much I bid. I always ask questions even if I know the answers because I want to see 1) how quickly the seller responds 2) their attitude 3) sometimes it's a test to see if they like to BS.

I've been known to bid up to $100 difference on the same items just based on how solid the seller is and how well he's described and documented the item. I buy from a couple of tube sellers in Germany who are fantastic and I don't hesitate to bid high if it's something I'm looking for.

H9

polkfarmboy

Well thanks gents to all those who have given me a rational response

One more question . Is there any sources where I can do a price check to determine the value of an item I bid on so I dont spend too much ?

should I just look at the sellers prices on audiogon to get an idea ?

Jstas

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Is there any sources where I can do a price check to determine the value of an item I bid on so I dont spend too much ?

eBay

heiney9

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Well thanks gents to all those who have given me a rational response

One more question . Is there any sources where I can do a price check to determine the value of an item I bid on so I dont spend too much ?

should I just look at the sellers prices on audiogon to get an idea ?

In life how do you figure this stuff out? I spend time, sometimes months tracking stuff I'm interested in. Do the research my man, the internet is a powerful tool if you have one inkling how to use it. Nothing comes easy or free...........you have to put in the time or just pay whatever

H9

EndersShadow

polkfarmboy wrote: »

One more question . Is there any sources where I can do a price check to determine the value of an item I bid on so I dont spend too much ?

should I just look at the sellers prices on audiogon to get an idea ?

Jstas wrote: »

Finalized sales on eBay

heiney9 wrote: »

In life how do you figure this stuff out? I spend time, sometimes months tracking stuff I'm interested in. Do the research my man, the internet is a powerful tool if you have one inkling how to use it. Nothing comes easy or free...........you

In all seriousness PFB, try using this link for your questions first. It might be more helpful and will not give you as much flack as many of us will.

And if you use that link and cant find what your looking for, then maybe post a thread. Also searching this site is a good start too.....

halo71

polkfarmboy wrote: »

One more question . Is there any sources where I can do a price check to determine the value of an item I bid on so I dont spend too much ?

Really? Surely you are asking this just to get under the skin of people here right? You can't be this dumb.

madmax

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Can you share your techniques for snagging the goods on ebay and help a fellow audiophile score a deal

I usually offer what its worth to me at the last minute. Maybe I lose it, maybe I get a smoking deal, maybe I get it for the going price. All is good at that point.

Jstas

EndersShadow wrote: »

In all seriousness PFB, try using this link for your questions first. It might be more helpful and will not give you as much flack as many of us will.

And if you use that link and cant find what your looking for, then maybe post a thread. Also searching this site is a good start too.....

That's not what I posted!

Don't edit my jokes.

It makes them less funny than they already are! :mad:

tonyb

C'mon guys, no need to pile on PFB like this. Like nobody else has ever asked a dumb question before ? We pride ourselves on answering all questions no matter how rediculous they sound, without attacking the poster. Thats one of the reasons this club stands out above all others.

PFB- I appologize for the wolf pack mentality in this thread, but really, your egging on the situation.
Google is your friend along with the search function at the top of the page. We are happy to answer your questions providing they are sincere and not meant to stir the pot,so to speak. Peace out and rock on.

EndersShadow

Jstas wrote: »

That's not what I posted!

Don't edit my jokes.

It makes them less funny than they already are! :mad:

LOL.... my apologies Jstas, thought you meant to say what I edited in......

dragon1952

tony millard wrote: »

It's not dumb at all to bid early!! Some people can't be at a PC all the time. So we put in a bid and max. amount in reserve and go about our lives and look at the results asap.
I've won some and lost some... I don't consider it a dumb process at all. Heck, I just did that this weekend. Nobody bid against me on one, a little on the second and I only lost the third due to somebody (only 1 person) outbid me due to my max. running its course. I really hated to loose the third item but man, my max was 10.00 more than I thought it was worth to me already. It was a rare item and I still stretched past my comfort zone. If I maxed out 30.00 past, would I have won it?, I'll never know but at least I set a limit. I'm not rich or a power bidder who will win at all costs.

PS. I will go 5.00 more if there is another item pops up like what I missed out on. Or I'll click the buy it now of course if that option is there.

The snipe service...still only goes up to your max alotment also. Ebay does that automatically also as the bids roll in.

I said 'bidding the item up prematurely', e.g. constantly bumping a bid so you're always in the lead, bidding the item up to it's max value well before the auction ends. Some bidders tend to get possessive about an item and you can get into a bidding war. Putting in a bid and a max is not the same thing. Seriously, what's the point in bidding an item up early? The bad....
You let other bidders know that there is other interest.
You can get caught up in a bidding war.
You lose the element of surprise at the end.
The good?
Absolutely nothing.

Say you are willing to pay $300 for an item. Are you in a better position to win it if, with 30 secs left, the highest bid is $250 or if the highest bid is $150? If it's $150 you can snipe at the last second with your $300 bid and maybe get it for much less because the other bidders may think they are going to get a deal at $200. So they snipe at $200 and you snipe at $300 and get it for $210, but you had a $90 safety net.
But if it's already at $250 with 30 secs left you are probably less likely to win with a bid of $300, and even if you do you've potentially paid more than you had to if the item wasn't bid up to 83% value already.

There is no advantage to bidding an item up early. Most people just want that 'fix' of shopping, and many have no intention of following through. Or they just like that 1% chance that they are going to get something for nothing. Or maybe they think they are going to scare the other buyers away? :rolleyes:
Don't bid the item up, don't let other bidders know you're even interested and then snipe at the last second.

wayne3burk

Thread closed....

Mods.

polkfarmboy

halo71 wrote: »

Really? Surely you are asking this just to get under the skin of people here right? You can't be this dumb.

Whats dumb about trying to find out the going rate and how much to pay for used audio items? If you have been in this hobby for the short amount of time I have its very hard to determine the value of an item on the private market .I know its easy for alot of you guys that have put in the time because your gut will just tell you that there is a hot deal when you see it

jbooker82

Biding on an item early just lets people know your intrested.

A bid sniping service is what I uses. That way I dont contribute to running the price up, and dont have to baby sit ebay to put my bid in.

wayne3burk

Polk farm boy - you asked how to determine the value of an item...

Once, I bought a magnavox turntable from a thrift store, it was in a wood plinth (base). You with me so far? I paid $9 for it. I needed it to play some old 78rpm records i bought (it plays 78, 45, 33, & 16 rpm records.) It's a micromatic.

Once i was checking ebay for consolel stereos. I saw a magnavox turntable on ebay in a wood plinthe. The bidding eventually got to $1200. It was a later model than my my early 1960s micromatic - but it was a magnavox automatic turntable. You still with me? While this one was ending... another identical one was put on ebay... It too finished at nearly $1200.

Some people call this a schill.... the first one was put up there and bid up by a consortium of scammers.... and won probably by someone in cahoots with both sellers.

The second one appears to have value because the first one was won at such a high price.

So the value of something isn't necessarily what the last one went for - but more what you're willing to spend to own that piece of equipment that you lust after.

My advice is be patient, enjoy your movies and your music, and don't worry too much about what piece of (S) equipment you're running it on.

i'm just sayin.....

/\Wayne/\

Toolfan66

I see a kid playing with building blocks, another kid looks like he pissed his pants, and a couple of kids drawing on the walls with crayons.. Preschool???

Can we just get back to Preamps,Amps,Speakers,even Woman and Cars???

Just my .02

Edit: not saying everyone posting is in Preschool... LOL!!!!

greyford1979

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

I see a kid playing with building blocks, another kid looks like he pissed his pants, and a couple of kids drawing on the walls with crayons.. Preschool???

Can we just get back to Preamps,Amps,Speakers,even Woman and Cars???

Just my .02

Edit: not saying everyone posting is in Preschool... LOL!!!!

Hey I'm in first grade:frown:

nooshinjohn

I am :eek:smerter:eek: than a 5th grader.

Toolfan66

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I am smerter than a 5th grader.

If you don't get those amps done soon I'm sending you back to 4th grade..

Tony M

dragon1952 wrote: »

I said 'bidding the item up prematurely', e.g. constantly bumping a bid so you're always in the lead, bidding the item up to it's max value well before the auction ends. Some bidders tend to get possessive about an item and you can get into a bidding war. Putting in a bid and a max is not the same thing. Seriously, what's the point in bidding an item up early? The bad....
You let other bidders know that there is other interest.
You can get caught up in a bidding war.
You lose the element of surprise at the end.
The good?
Absolutely nothing.

Say you are willing to pay $300 for an item. Are you in a better position to win it if, with 30 secs left, the highest bid is $250 or if the highest bid is $150? If it's $150 you can snipe at the last second with your $300 bid and maybe get it for much less because the other bidders may think they are going to get a deal at $200. So they snipe at $200 and you snipe at $300 and get it for $210, but you had a $90 safety net.
But if it's already at $250 with 30 secs left you are probably less likely to win with a bid of $300, and even if you do you've potentially paid more than you had to if the item wasn't bid up to 83% value already.

There is no advantage to bidding an item up early. Most people just want that 'fix' of shopping, and many have no intention of following through. Or they just like that 1% chance that they are going to get something for nothing. Or maybe they think they are going to scare the other buyers away? :rolleyes:
Don't bid the item up, don't let other bidders know you're even interested and then snipe at the last second.

I understand the scenario now. Snipe service...bids in the final second only. Makes sense to me now. thanks,
Tony