eBay bidding

[eminenz2]

I'm wondering if us regular folks have a disadvantage over what seems like some kind of trolling-and-swooping-in-automatic-bidding-program on eBay.

I have lost two auctions. The first one was for a ring in which I lost to a 'private bidder' and in a few other auctions I have watched (but not bid on), the bidding is led (and eventually won) by bidders with names like s****m6 or w**r3 or 6****m, etc..

Could someone with more savvy explain to me what I might be observing? Of course, if there is a program that a buyer/bidder/reseller can set up to go searching for desirable items, is there a way us less-tech-savvy bidders can outwit them without having to keep a vigil at the computer?

Thanks!

Susan L.G.

Edited to add - well, I guess I answered my own question. It's called sniping and there's any number of programs available for purchase that bids for you in the last seconds of an auction.

 

[meowracer]

Susan, Yes there are snipers - lots of people do it on their own, but there are programs that do it for you. As for the s***l or whatever you are seeing, that is ebay's way of protecting bidders. It no longer shows the bidders until after the auction (I think it shows up then.)

 

[fit44]

Bid sniping program.

I use Bid Napper. It's the best way to prevent someone from driving up your own bid and compete with the other snipers.

If you search for auction snipers, they all give you free trial snipes.

 

[eminenz2]

Thanks for the tips and info. I was a little hesitant to download a sniping program for a couple of reasons - first, I don't eBay that often so I don't actually need a full-time sniping program, however I guess a free trial gives you enough chances to see if it actually works.

The second reason was I was worried it would leave my computer open to spyware, viruses, and jamming my email with all kinds of mayhem and spam.

Do the sniping programs do that - I mean, make your computer vulnerable to spam, spyware, and viruses?

Thanks much!

Susan L.G.