This guide was written to help both buyers and sellers understand the practice of sniping.  Sniping is the practice of bidding in the last few seconds of an auction in order to prevent other bidders from outbidding you.  Sniping helps the buyer get the lowest possible price. 

1. After finding an auction item you are interested in, ADD TO FAVORITES.

2. Set your alarm clock to 5 or 10 minutes before the end of auction.

3. Click WATCH THIS ITEM and add note with your maximim bid. (consider S+H).

3. Alarm goes off . . . Open auction web page (recently saved to your favorites).

4. If current bid is lower than your calculated maximum bid, refresh the page about one minute before the auction ends, then type in your maximum bid.

5. When the TIME LEFT is 5s (depending on the speed of your computer), click "PLACE BID"

6. A new window appears, Immediately click "COMFIRM BID"

7. Cross your fingers  . . . .  you may have been out-sniped by a higher bidder.

CAUTION  Sniping has some pitfalls: power failure, computer freeze, other programs slow your computer speed (such as automatic anti-virus updates), etc.  If you really want the item, place your bid earlier.  Then, even if you are the current high bidder - follow the above snipe procedures to place your maximum bid at the last possible moment.  It may take some practice to figure out exactly what works for you.  Happy bidding!

NOTE: I am a power seller.  Although sniping is frowned upon by many sellers, I'd rather have a couple of snipers bid on my auctions - it may just increase the final bid for my item. And sniping can be fun for bidders.  Also, as more and more non-snippers learn about snipping, these non-snipers may increase their bids to avoid being sniped.  I have many repeat buyers, who regularly snipe my auctions - I'd rather have their business than not have their business.  Sellers can avoid snipers by offering their items FIXED PRICE.

-------------------------------------------------------------
If you find this guide helpful or interesting,
please vote YES at the bottom of this page.
-------------------------------------------------------------