Ordering stuff

Originally posted by buddy2
Trouble with ebay is I always lose the bidding. Is there a trick to winning the stuff. I have a hard enough time playing chess. ebay games drive me crazy.

Yes, there is.

When you see something you want, decide right away what maximum amount you are willing to pay for the item.

1. Do not bid now, but make note of the exact time and date the auction is over. (To the second) Have a very accurate watch or clock!

2. Check back on the item from time to time. If the bid is over what you were willing to pay, forget it.

3. When it is nearly time for the bidding to close, see if the bid is still below your maximum. If it is still below.......

4. Start the process of making a bid, using your maximum limit. Do not bid yet, though. Get to the point where you are only one keystroke away from confirming your bid.

5. Just a few seconds before the bidding closes, place your bid!

I have used this method numerous times, and it seldom fails. If you have never used ebay, try it out on something very cheap first to get familiar with the whole bidding routine. Or just make a very small bid on something you know will go for much higher, so you don't get stuck with something you don't want. The goal here is to get familiar with all the steps in placing a bid, so you can get it in at the final seconds!

Good luck!

Marc

Originally posted by jbaca
Marc that is good advice,I would also add that DSL is helpful when doing this. Its the speed 🙂

Speed and TIMING! The timing is the main thing. Regardless of how fast or slow your internet connection is, you need to do the test bid part of my method, and determine exactly how long it takes for your bid to get logged, after you do the final keystroke.

You need to know that it takes 3 seconds to get logged, or 7 seconds, or whatever it actually is. Then make that one bid accordingly.😉
Too early and someone has a chance to outbid you, too late and well, ...TOO LATE.

You also have to factor in 'net lag...'. If the internet is really busy, or the ebay server is swamped, that may give you a problem too. It may add a second or two depending on time of day, etc.

But bottom line is that this method works most of the time for me!!

Marc

Originally posted by buddy2
Wow! I didn't realize there was so much to it. Do they have software that handles all that (the timing, etc.)?

🙂 No, I don't think so. It's just a matter of practicing and trying it out a few times. I think if you go with about 10 seconds, you'll do OK with it, as long as your watch of clock is accurate.

Marc