eBay sniper software suggestions

March 11, 2005 12:35 PM

Can anyone suggest eBay sniper software. There's lots about but I'm leery about releasing either credit card details or my eBay login. If it's UK compatible that would also be a plus!
posted by dmt to Computers & Internet (14 answers total)

I'm not sure if, by "software," you include web-based programs, or if you're looking for something that resides on your computer. If you're willing to consider web-based solutions, I've used AuctionStealer for several years now and have never had a problem with my eBay login being stolen. On one occasion two years ago, AuctionStealer's database was apparently hacked, and they promptly notified users and urged us to change our ebay passwords. It was one of those things where the responsible way they handled it actually gave me more confidence in them rather than less. (As it was, I changed my password and never had a problem.)

The only drawback is that they give you 3 free snipes a week, and if you don't use all your snipes for a week, they do NOT carry over to the next week. If you want more than that, you have to sign up for a paid plan. 3 snipes a week is plenty for me, but your needs may be different.
posted by yankeefog at 12:54 PM on March 11, 2005

i can't recommend any software, but I can recommend phantombidder.com . It's worked great for myself and a number of my friends.

See also this prior ask.me thread on the "ethics" of sniping.
posted by fishfucker at 12:55 PM on March 11, 2005

I've used Auction Sniper for almost a year now and have been very pleased with the service.
posted by white_devil at 1:35 PM on March 11, 2005

I am happy with SnipeSwipe.
posted by Tallguy at 2:06 PM on March 11, 2005

Know that if you snipe, there are plenty of people out there that think you're an arsehole.
posted by krisjohn at 2:57 PM on March 11, 2005

I've been using eSnipe for years now and have been very pleased with it. You only pay for the auctions you win.

Regardless of the morality (real or perceived) of auction sniping, if you don't snipe on eBay nowadays, you're not going to win any worthwhile auctions.
posted by Lactoso at 3:06 PM on March 11, 2005

if you don't snipe on eBay nowadays, you're not going to win any worthwhile auctions.

ummmmmm
posted by lbergstr at 3:19 PM on March 11, 2005

Cricket Jr. is supposedly the first piece of software designed for sniping. I have used it in the past, and it was well-designed, and very powerful. It's called Cricketsniper now I guess, for clarify its purpose. He's very on top of his work, and I imagine quite security conscious.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 3:40 PM on March 11, 2005

JBidWatcher
posted by britain at 4:03 PM on March 11, 2005

whats the deal with this? on ebay dont you put in a maximum amount and ebay increases that if someone bids, so if you were only going to pay 90-100 dollars no matter what, why does it matter that somone end up winning it for 110?
posted by Iax at 5:41 PM on March 11, 2005

People aren't honest with themselves about the maximum they'll pay Iax. Anyone who is won't get sniped.
posted by Mitheral at 6:09 PM on March 11, 2005

I've had good luck with AuctionSniper as well. The nice thing is that they give you 3 free snipes to try it out and if you don't win the auction, it doesn't count as a snipe so you still have 3 more.

As for a giving out your login info, I'm not sure how a snipe program would work if you don't give that info. Otherwise, there is no way for their servers to log in and bid on your behalf in the closing seconds of an auction. With regards to credit cards, you could always find a place that takes PayPal or use the PayPal virtual credit card thing.
posted by aaronh at 7:21 AM on March 13, 2005

lbergstr: I can only assume your complex response to that quote is really questioning the veracity of it. Well, let me expand on that. By 'worthwhile' I mean an auction for an item that is coveted by a large group of people (or even one determined individual). It's easy to win that filligree-patterned china cup or Beanie-Baby knock-off if no one else is bidding on it. But start bidding on some hotly contested items and you'll be lucky not to pay over market value. People get too competitive while bidding and/or haven't done proper research and frequently pay more for a used item from a faceless eBay seller than for a brand new item from a reputable store.

Personally, I will normally only bid under market value for items on eBay. The extra margin of savings goes toward making the 'risk-factor' worthwhile.
posted by Lactoso at 8:43 AM on March 14, 2005

Iax: As Mitheral states, most people aren't truly aware of how much they're willing to spend on an item until they've lost the auction.

Other times nefarious sellers will shill an auction to artificially maximize their selling price.

Yet other times, in specific areas, people you've bid against in the past will keep an eye on what you're bidding on to find worthwhile auctions. Being that many sellers use incorrect keywords or category listings, finding that 'worthwhile' item is something of an artform in itself (with advanced searches approaching SQL complexity). Sniping hides your intentions and protects your time investment until the very end of the auction.

Sniping also helps you set a realistic bid limit from the get-go, without the risk of getting caught up in the heat of the moment.

Is sniping wrong? I do believe it is. It's bad for the sellers and for the buyers. But if you're morally opposed to guns, you better not show up at a gunfight...
posted by Lactoso at 9:00 AM on March 14, 2005