Is it ever socially acceptable to use auction sniper software?

[Guest]

[Roz]

Hi guys.

In all my time bidding I have now used a sniper 3 times.  I'm not entirely sure whether this makes me evil or not... the first two times were when I was out when the bidding would end, and I knew competition would be fierce (it was for a set of all 5 PoA coloured promo sets), the second instance I can't remember, and the third instance was when I set up a trade with a pal on this board, that they would trade me a card if I won and paid for a certain ebay item (they only shipped to the UK, so it was a big help to them, and if I had forgotten to bid or bid too much for them it wouldn't have been fair).

I know that it's heartbreaking to be outsniped because someone else's snipe is only $1 more than you were prepared to pay, which is why I very rarely use them, but sometimes, just sometimes it's nice to have the reassurance that you'll not get carried away with the bidding and also, that you won't forget to bid 

So is auction sniping software really evil?

[blackcat20]

I think its acceptable. If it werent for an auction sniper, Id miss out on a lot of auctions ending at horrible hours of the night. And lets face it, if we dont use a sniper, we are most likely missing out to people who do use one. If you want something that bad, youve gotta do whatever it takes.

[canny19]

Deff. agree with what Blackcat said!
If you want something that bad, then you'll do what ever it takes

[beatles99]

Don't use a sniper myself, all live for me..and I've snipped many times.......the only thing about a sniper is what happens when some fool puts in a ridiculous amount in the end, just to make sure that nobody else gets the card or he/she is using a sniper also

[kbmum]

I think it's okay for the same reasons you've used it, Roz.  Sometimes, you need extra help for a high-interest auction or for when you can't be online at the end of the auction.  It's also good when you can't trust your internet connection to work when you need to bid.

However, my husband had a big problem with Auction Sniper.  He signed up yesterday to use it for an auction that he badly wanted to win.  He won, he paid, and the item is on its way.  Later in the afternoon, his eBay account was suspended for selling violations -- multiple auctions (around 50) for an online game that were violating the fee circumvention policy.  He didn't list anything, nor did he have a seller's account!  He works in IT, knows about spoof emails, and definitely did not click on the links in any email that purported to be from eBay or PayPal.  The only thing he did was sign up with Auction Sniper.  eBay Live Help was wonderful about sorting out the problem and all of his passwords have been changed.  We'll be contacting Auction Sniper today, because somehow, someone must have hacked into their system.  We don't think the problem is on our end, since we have a firewall and anti-virus/spyware/etc. software.  What a hassle.

[tialessa]

There's a card I want - that's RARELY listed - that I know a lot of other people will put in last minute bids for...

I've never used a sniping software, but for THIS auction, I'll be signing up for with a program.  Still doubt I'll win it because the other folks I mention have DEEP pockets, but it may level the playing field...

[Roz]

The only thing he did was sign up with Auction Sniper.

That's dreadful, and really an awful mix up on ebay's system... unless his account actually WAS shown up as selling this game?

I must admit I was really hesistant to give out my eBay password to another site, but they seemed the most major people out there (at the time, I don't know if that still stands now?), but I've never had any trouble like that...I'm sorry to hear of your trouble Cindy sorry about that.

I've never used a sniping software, but for THIS auction, I'll be signing up for with a program.  Still doubt I'll win it because the other folks I mention have DEEP pockets, but it may level the playing field...

Good luck

[kbmum]

That's dreadful, and really an awful mix up on ebay's system... unless his account actually WAS shown up as selling this game?

His account was selling the games!  The only time he ever gave out his password (even I don't know it) was for Auction Sniper.  The really weird thing is that all of the listings were done through eBay UK, and we live in the US.  Someone broke into his account, signed him up as a seller, and then listed 50 auctions for the same item.  eBay Account Security in the UK recognized something was wrong, cancelled the auctions, and suspended the account so no additional items could be listed.

[tialessa]

His account was selling the games!  The only time he ever gave out his password (even I don't know it) was for Auction Sniper.  The really weird thing is that all of the listings were done through eBay UK, and we live in the US.  Someone broke into his account, signed him up as a seller, and then listed 50 auctions for the same item.  eBay Account Security in the UK recognized something was wrong, cancelled the auctions, and suspended the account so no additional items could be listed.

Very odd....  Thanks for the warning - I'll change my password before signing up with the Sniping software & after that auction is over, I'll change it back

[Roz]

That's an absoloute travesty. How awful for you - thank goodness it was all resolved fairly quickly.

Talking of giving away info - I notice that no matter what email I use through ebay I always get more spam through it than any other email I have... has anyone else noticed this? It worries me that ebay might sell info 

[HPfamily]

I've never used a sniper software. I figure that I have been pretty lucky sniping myself!! 
If there is something that I really want I will do what I have to do to try to win it! I've even set my alarm clock in the wee hours of he night to win!  But I don't think there is anything wrong with using this software. 


Cindy! This is a horrible thing that has happened!!  I hope everything gets cleared up!!

I have noticed a lot of new and different spoofs coming around (ebay and paypal). I have even received spoof with my full name on it!!!  Last week I received one that looked like an ebay member had emailed me through ebay. The message was that he had won an auction of mine and I never left feedback. It stated that he was going to leave negative if I didn't respond. There were no click here links, just the auction number link. I didn't recognize the buyer name, so I immediately forwarded it to spoof! And thats exactly what it was! 

[kbmum]

Talking of giving away info - I notice that no matter what email I use through ebay I always get more spam through it than any other email I have... has anyone else noticed this? It worries me that ebay might sell info 

I've noticed it.  It might not be eBay that's selling the info.  I've wondered if certain sellers are selling the email addresses of people who win their auctions or write to them.  When you send a message to the seller through eBay, you have the option of hiding your email address from the seller.  I make sure I click on it every time I send a message.

[Tower]

I didn't use a sniper yet and have no plans for that. You have no idea how many times i stood up in the middle of the night yet. 

[tialessa]

I didn't use a sniper yet and have no plans for that. You have no idea how many times i stood up in the middle of the night yet. 

If I had a dial-up connection that would actually HOLD then I'd be more inclined to just wait at my computer & continually refresh...  Unfortunately it times out (a LOT)...