We have all had it happen to us if we have been around Ebay for more than five minutes. It usually goes something like this : You're involved in an auction that you have been bidding on and watching for a couple of days. It comes down to last few seconds and it looks like you're going to win, when out of nowhere comes this sniper and steals the auction. They haven't been involved in the course of bidding  but wait until literally the last second and steal it. There are few things more irritating than having this happen when you have invested so much time and effort bidding in the true spirit of the auction. So you contact Ebay Customer Support and explain the problem only to be told that " Ebay does not condone Sniping but does NOTHING to prevent or deter it. It's like have an admission fee and charging those who "want" to pay it but lets those who don't get in anyway. What a slap in the face. A true insult. So why have the policy to begin with? Why have any policies at all if only a select few are being enforced? I'm still trying to figure that out myself. Ebay couldn't offer a reasonable answer.

     So, Who are these Low Life's that insist on Sniping? In my opinion they're in the same category as thieves and cowards. They are the same caliber of people who take candy from little children, knock down little old ladies and steal money from a blind person. They have no morals or ethics. They believe that laws, regulations and policies apply to everyone else but not them. They hide in the dark like a coward instead of facing you out in the open. They are spineless and gutless cowards. A wart on the butt of the auction world and it's self respecting members.

    What can be done about them? Even though Ebay won't enforce their own policies, we as respectable bidders and sellers can take action. We have the ability to reject their bids and refuse to do business with them. I ask all sellers this one question: What makes you think that if a sniper is willing to stoop so low as ply their unethical practices and snipe from fellow bidders that they are not going to screw you as sellers just as maliciously? They will and have refused to pay for their ill gotten winnings or leave unwarranted negative feedback. The solution is easy. I would suggest all sellers that truly care about their reputation and  maintaining the business of their honest customers simply refuse to accept their dishonest bids. How would you do this? Again it's easy. Simply put your own policy in action and cancel any bids that are placed in the last five minutes of an auction by anyone who has not previously bid on the current auction. Bidders, Wouldn't you feel more confident knowing you are doing business with a seller who doesn't condone unethical practices? This would go a long way in stopping snipers in their tracks. What you may lose in revenue on a particular item you will gain many times over in repeat business. I truly suspect that your customers would make up the difference in repeat business. Your customers will know that they are dealing with a reputable seller with ethics. If sellers were to put a disclaimer in their listings to that effect we would see a significant decrease in snipping activity. Who knows, Maybe Ebay would even get on board and start enforcing their own policies? After all isn't that part of the reason we pay Ebay seller fees? To protect us? Hmmmmm.

    The bottom line is we as ethical Ebayers need to police ourselves and take care of our own. We can drive out the rif raft and keep Ebay a safe and enjoyable environment to conduct business. It's up to us whether or not we continue to allow underhanded and unethical practices to continue. I challenge each and every one of you to help in eliminating the practice of sniping and look out for your most valuable asset of all, your honest and loyal customers. Think about it, contemplate it, do something about it. Thanks and good bidding. If you found this helpfull and agree with me please vote. It's a start to ending this dishonest and unethical practice known as Sniping. Thanks again.