Re: More eBay insanity (was Re: Apple IIc+ on eBay)

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

Scott Alfter wrote:

>In article <BdOcncN9rJ5-yamjXTWcpg@comcast.com>,
>GarberStreet Enterprises <willy46pa@comcast.net> wrote:
>>There is an Apple IIc+ on eBay right now ready to close
>>in a matter of hours. I decided I don't really want it, so if
>>anyone does, just outbid my $9.99 and it is probably
>>going to be yours. Here is the link.
>>
>>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4610&item=2302607736
>
>I put in a bid 10 minutes before the end.  (Yes, it's sniping.  No, I'm not
>pissed that I was outbid.

<snip>

I have no problem with sniping--it simply converts an auction into
a sealed bid auction, and avoids the emotional bidding which works
newbies into a sweat.

For the record, a bid placed 10 minutes before the close is hardly
a snipe, since 10 minutes is plenty of time for an outbid bidder to
respond.  A proper snipe is placed seconds before the close, so
that no one can "respond", even the sniper (to increase his bid).

The effect of everyone sniping is that no one knows what anyone
else is willing to bid until it's over--it's a sealed bid auction.

Being angry at being outbid is silly--like being angry that it is
raining.  If you were willing to bid more, then _do_ it!

But to hang your final bid amount out there for days (as a
proxy bid) to be shot at by passers-by--that doesn't make
business sense to me.

-michael

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