On Apr 18, 1:29 pm, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Steven Hirsch wrote:
> > Michael J. Mahon wrote:
>
> >> vcgm.gro...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
>
> >>> Items can be posted in auction format (buy-it-now can be used for
flat-
> >>> rate sales) with descriptions and a photo gallery for each. Bids on
> >>> items within the last two minutes of an auction will extend that
> >>> auction by 30 minutes, making sniping a thing of the past.
>
> >> ...and making emotional p***ing contests in the middle of the
> >> night a thing of the present. ;-)
>
> >> Think about the price that would make you a satisfied buyer if
> >> you won and a satisfied loser if you didn't--then snipe that bid
> >> to protect it from people who like to steam open envelopes...
>
> >> As you can see, I much prefer sealed-bid auctions. ;-)
>
> > I can think of one good way to outright discourage sniping. Introduce
a
> > random posting dither to any bids placed in the last few minutes, with
> > the uncertainty growing higher as the finish time approaches. That
> > should neatly prevent the pile-on of automatic snipes in the last few
> > seconds.
>
> I greatly prefer snipes--all snipe bids are "sealed bids".
>
> Sealed-bid auctions are free from emotional bidding, which leads to
> bids more accurately reflecting the value of the item to the bidders.
>
> Sellers may prefer emotional interactive bidding, which often leads
> to irrational prices.
>
As a seller I much prefer the eBay method of ending the auction when
the auction is scheduled to end. I believe Yahoo Auctions did the
automatic 30 minute extension and I remember it being very frustrating
to wait for hours to get another $0.50 in bids. The eBay system of
defining your maximum bid is the simplest (and most effective) way to
ensure that the interests of both the buyers and sellers are
protected.
