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eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

Original poster

how soon would you bid on a similar item to one you've just lost?

28 replies

MrsMiamla · 15/05/2010 18:13

hi, I have just lost on an item and there's a very similar one finishing in a couple of hours that doesn't seem to have interest shown on it yet! So, am I safe to bid on the new item? I'm a little concerned by ebay's message 'if a bid is cancelled or retracted you could still be the highest bidder' on the first item.

I really don't need two! can anyone help? sorry and thank you, i'm a bit of an ebay novice!

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 15/05/2010 18:14

I would go for the second, it is very unlikely that a bid will be retracted.

ILoveGregoryHouse · 15/05/2010 18:19

Hiya, about 30 seconds. Just lost out by a measly quid so went and bid on another one staright away. Unlikely a bid would be retracted. You could always relist one of them on the very small chance you ended up with both.

cupofcoffee · 15/05/2010 18:21

Go for the second item. If the highest bid is retracted on the first item then the seller can send you a 'second chance offer' which you do not have to take up.

Original poster
MrsMiamla · 15/05/2010 18:24

ah ha, good to know i get the option to not take them up on it

thanks all...i've said it before and i'll say it again...MNers are wonderful!

actually, you all seem like seasoned ebay buyers, do you put in the max you want to buy right at the start or do you gradually increase it once you've been beaten?

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 15/05/2010 18:27

I tend to "watch" things and then when they have less than 12 hours to go I put in my highest bid.

tethersend · 15/05/2010 18:35

You must never bid until the last few seconds, then come in with the highest bid possible, so that you beat the other bidders' maximum bids. It's like poker, you don't want to declare your hand too early and give another bidder a chance to outbid you.

Try a sniper tool like myibay which bids on your behalf in the last few seconds up to the maximum you are prepared to pay.

It is immensely satisfying.

tethersend · 15/05/2010 18:36

And very sneaky.

Dumbledoresgirl · 15/05/2010 18:41

I just bid my maximum bid straightaway. It saves me having to keep looking at the auctions, remembering when they end, etc.

I decide what is the maximum I would want to pay and put in that bid. If it gives others a chance to outbid me, so be it. I have sometimes gone a bit mad in a bidding war and ended up paying a bit over the odds for things.

The great thing about ebay, as you have already discovered, is that usually, if you miss out on one item, another one just the same comes along straight after.

tethersend · 15/05/2010 19:05

If you put your maximum bid into a sniper site, it does it all for you- no bidding war, you just come in and snatch it at the last minute.

Early bidding pushes the price up.

BertieBotts · 15/05/2010 19:20

I don't like snipers, I think it's a bit like cheating. I will leave it until late to bid on things but always just put my maximum bid in and walk away.

Original poster
MrsMiamla · 15/05/2010 19:32

hmm, i have to agree with you Bertie. I think its a bit like cheating too and as Dumble said, there'll soon be another one if i lose this one too! 45 mins to go

we're a few pound lower than my max bid so keep your fingers crossed for me

ps tethersend, (love the name) I do appreciate your comments, despite not agreeing with them!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMiamla · 15/05/2010 20:25

just lost out on two more... that sniper thing is looking more tempting

OP posts:
tethersend · 15/05/2010 20:35

at 'cheating'

I don't understand why everyone doesn't use a sniper- although I'm quite glad they don't!

Dumbledoresgirl · 15/05/2010 20:37

You are being unlucky. Would it be cheeky to ask what you are trying to buy?

Original poster
MrsMiamla · 15/05/2010 20:39

no, don't mind saying at all! i'm after a maclaren techno xt. they seem to be going for 50 odd pound until i poke my bidding nose in and then they're going for over 60+

OP posts:
tethersend · 15/05/2010 21:02

Stop bidding on things and use the sniper... Come to the dark side...

Original poster
MrsMiamla · 15/05/2010 21:26

lol! you're a bad influence tether!

i'm currently trawling the small ads

but what's it like on the dark side? i'm not joining you if its cold over there!

OP posts:
tethersend · 15/05/2010 21:42

It's so very warm... My feet are toasty in the vintage welsh wool blanket I got for £3.49...

...Join us...

Original poster
MrsMiamla · 15/05/2010 21:57

£3.49 you say?

OP posts:
honeydragon · 15/05/2010 22:04

i use this to see if they are selling what i want within a specified area i am prepared to travel - pick up only often go for less
just time in your postcode and it will show everything in your locality.

I don't think this is cheating it's just savvy ebaying and you can nosey what your neighbours are selling

Original poster
MrsMiamla · 16/05/2010 13:28

ooh, thanks honeydragon... i'll have a look at that now

just lost out on another bloody one!! brand new bidder with 3secs to go...wasn't you was it tethersend?

i mentioned the sniping thing to DH and he asked why i didn't use it too!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMiamla · 16/05/2010 13:38

honeydragon...thank you!!!! that is a great little tool to use! and yes, i agree, definitely savvy ebaying and def not cheating

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMiamla · 16/05/2010 18:54

not too sure how i managed it but i've just won one for half my max bid! I'm now wondering what's wrong with it and why nobody else wants this one!

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMiamla · 16/05/2010 18:56

tethers.. i have to admit though that if i'd lost this one too i was going to def join you over there where its a little darker!

OP posts:
ConnorTraceptive · 16/05/2010 19:00

I only ever bid at the last minute now due to the fact that the last time I bid on ebay the seller clearly had someone bidding for them to up the price.

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