Getting Your Butt Kicked on eBay

dillydallydan · Mar 3, 2010

I have spent the last couple of days trying to buy some estate pipes on eBay. The auctions go right down to the last second with nothing happening, then all Hell breaks loose, followed by an email saying something to the effect of, "too damn bad, you lost. Bid more next time", or something like that.
My question is: Are any of you guys closet eBay specialists who might be willing to share tips on shopping for pipes on eBay?
Thanks.

cortezattic · Mar 3, 2010

Once I've spotted a desirable pipe, my strategy is to decide on how much I'm willing to pay, period. In the last 15 sec.'s or so, I bid my max amount and keep my fingers crossed. Automatic bid increases keep the bid viable to the end, unless exceeded. The upside of losing is the dubious satisfaction from knowing that the winner has to cough-up more than you were willing to pay.

bytor · Mar 3, 2010

I have purchased quite a few times and this is what I have noticed generally happens: People wait until the last second and then bid just barely over the last known bid.
The key is to have an idea of what your true maximum amount that you are willing to pay. Even knowing what that dollar value is, I still wait until...about the last minute or less. Then I put in that value (even if it is way higher than the current last bid). E-bay will not instantly bump your bid up to that value, it will place your bid at whatever the next increment over the last highest bid. If somebody then comes in at the last second and tries to outbid you by $5, then e-bay will automatically up your bid (up to your maximum of course).
Does that make sense? Seems like I may have written that in the most confusing manner possible.

surfmac211 · Mar 3, 2010

I have a 3rd party program that is called snype. It allows you to put in your max bid and the last possible second it automatically places the bid for you so know one can exceed you. Kinda a dirty program but I win a lot lol. Look for programs called eBay snipers. Really you don't need them unless your plan on making a lot of purchases and plan on winning.

chuckw · Mar 3, 2010

I submit my maximum bid early and wait until the day after the bidding ends. If I win, ok. If not, oh well. If I really want a pipe, I bid very high and hope a sniper isn't willing to go that high with his/her last second snipe.

sinistertopiary · Mar 3, 2010

I submit my maximum bid early and wait until the day after the bidding ends. If I win, ok. If not, oh well.

My strategy too when I used to ebay. (Got burnt once too many times...)

admin · Mar 3, 2010

I have 3 things to share regarding eBay. One of them relates directly to the original post by dillydallydan, and the other two relate to possible new features for the site.
First, a disclaimer. It may seem odd, being the supposed "Internet Expert" I am, (not tooting my horn, but I make a living with websites and fly around the country as a speaker, etc at Internet conventions) - I have never used eBay except once 6 years ago when I was desperate for a discontinued computer part I needed.
So I really have no experience using eBay.
Relating to dillydallydan's frustrations, I am aware of something called "sniping", which are automated services that have a way of snagging the winning bid at the last moment.
There was reference to it and comments about it here:

http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/pipe-collecting/pipe-collecting-on-ebay-rob-coopers-q-a/
Now here are my questions to the fans of eBay here. Would you like to see either of the following on this site:
1. eBay ads for specific pipes up for auction or sale?
This feature is available and I just haven't done it yet.
2. Our own auction functionality hosted right here on this site?

cortezattic · Mar 3, 2010

I think things are fine without either function. If you did implement either, I'd just ignore them.

clanobucklin · Mar 3, 2010

I usually wait til the last minute to start bidding...that is if I can wait to start bidding. Sometimes I will decide on a pipe and then put in a very large bid (not too crazy) and then cross my fingers - this has worked in the past by exhausting and discouraging bidders who like to snipe. However, its a 50/50 chance on winning a pipe. I have augmented my pipe collection via ebay. You would be surprised at the pipes that get passed over - because they need a little "cleaning."

cobsandclays · Mar 3, 2010

Like others, I decide what the item is worth to me and will place one bid in the last 12 hours. Win some, lose some. A firearms auction site I've used has a feature whereby bidding in the last 15 minutes of an auction resets the timer to 15 minutes, and I think once the original time is up only the people bidding in that last 15 minutes are able to bid (no rogue bidders to come in and snipe). I don't know because I've never had a problem over there like I do with eBay.

I'm not savvy enough to know the value of a pipe, and for the most part by the time the pipe auctions have ended I probably could have bought a similar pipe for new for the same price. That is to say, I don't think it's a feature of this site that I would use.

Maybe that topic needs a poll?

dillydallydan · Mar 3, 2010

Well... all of the above has been VERY interesting. I sort of combined all of the ideas, and you will all be thrilled to know that I WON an auction for the first time on eBay about 1/2 hour ago!
The Pipe...
I hesitated to post the entire info regarding the auction, because I would hate to inspire some kind soul to share with me that they, "got one exactly like it for $3.29 at a swap meet last summer" (so don't do it - please and thank you).
I ended up posting a few bids (which were quickly overtaken) then looked at the competing bidder's bid histories and tried to figure out who might be serious and willing to bid high for a pipe. I then wrote the seller asking about a detail on the item, and in his reply he mentioned that there were over 30 "watchers" for that item so he expected some serious action before it was all over.
So in the end, I let the last bid above mine ride ($104.50) until exactly six seconds before the auction ended, then I bid $162.50. Apparently my timing was good as nobody had time to hit the "instant bid" button to bump up their bid past mine and it sold for the next increment of $107.50.
So thanks guys - the suggestions worked. Although I have decided in the future I will bid like ChuckW. I almost had a stroke watching that stupid auction wind down, and I really think the "set it and forget it" method is in the end far superior for my health!
As for Kevin's question regarding linking eBay onto here, or running our own auction system... I actually am not in favor of either. I like to be "isolated" from the rest of the internet while I'm hiding out on this site, and eBay is omnipresent as it is. Besides(I hesitate to admit this), I'm not a good loser, so I wouldn't want to be bidding for items against my new pals on here. Therefore I'm voting with CortezAttic on that subject.

bytor · Mar 3, 2010

Congrats dilly...nice looking pipe!

hauntedmyst · Mar 4, 2010

You nabbed a nice pipe! I buy and sell a lot on ebay and you've figured out the only trick you need to know about winning on ebay...bid your top price in the last 5 to 10 seconds and hope for the best. I don't think the set it and forget it way works. All it does is drive up the price early on. Take the stress out of it by deciding what you'll bid and do so in the last seconds. That way if someone outbids you its no loss since it now becomes something more than you were willing to spend.
I don't see the need for auctions to be listed or run here. With pipe tastes as diverse as they are, ebay already fills the need.

admin · Mar 4, 2010

Thanks for confirming what I already thought guys, and for saving me a bunch of work.
I was looking at doing these things months ago, and I just wasn't sure it was worth the effort.
Nice stubby bulldog Dan! She is phat and fat! ;-)

dunendain · Mar 4, 2010

I have never bought or sold anything on e-bay. I set up an account once. Other people just seemed too savvy at it.
Kevin, you are doing a great deal without that.

thecigarsoldier · Mar 4, 2010

Gotta agree with most of the other guys, I like the site with no auctions. Seems like it would kinda cheapen up the place when it's not really needed. I like the conversation here and I can always go "shopping" somewhere else.

bytor · Mar 4, 2010

Clanobucklin isn't kidding about the pipes that get passed over because they need some cleaning.
The end of last week I snagged two Dunhills for $180 (for both). I'm guessing the biggest reason was due to the pictures attached. To me...they looked worth giving a shot. The rim on the Bruyere looks pretty beat up at first glance, but at closer inspection seems as though the edges (inner and outer) are still crisp. I'm hoping they will clean up beautifully.

sapo59 · Mar 4, 2010

I've bought two pipes off ebay for a total of $15. A grabow omega and small liberty pipe.

dillydallydan · Mar 5, 2010

I think you got a good deal there Bytor. I used some of the stem maintenance tips provided on this site to work over my old stems and I was very pleased with how much better they looked. Forget who posted the suggestions (maybe you?) but if you have any doubts as to how to proceed with the restoration process, you only need look at the forum here for the right way to go. Post a pic when you've got them cleaned up will you?

bytor · Mar 5, 2010

I fully intend to....now if the pipes would just get here already!
Still working on the patience thing....

Getting Your Butt Kicked on eBay

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