What on earth is wrong with some people? (eBay Bidders!)

it's even more fun when "nuclear snipes" collide...and even more fun when "thermonuclear snipes" collide.

For the uninitiated a nuclear snipe is when a bidder enters a HUGE proxy during the closing seconds of an auction figuring they want the item no matter what and nobody else ever though of that before...but it just so happens another genius gets the same idea. Seller does a happy dance and 'winner' skulks away in embarrassment. "Thermonuclear Snipes" are the same except for MEGA HUGE proxy bids under the same mindset.

Sadly this does not happen much anymore...but it sure was cool for us sellers when it did.

One of my friends did that! He was bidding on an old truck in the US, which was up to around $400. Nearing the end of the auction he raised his bid to somewhere over $2000 to make sure he got the truck, which he did, but only just, because someone else had the wise idea of entering a ridiculous bid at the last moment too, to make sure they got the truck, which they didn't!

The final sale price was just over $2000! The seller was rather pleased and was nearly as shocked at the price as my friend was!

Mike

I just bet the seller was pleased. Bet that was the final time your buddy used that tactic?? Better to use a sniping service or a freeware app call JBidWatcher (requires a PC online at the time of the auction end though...but it works great)

Yes, I don't think he has used that bidding technique since!

I haven't used a sniping service before, although I have seen it in action. I certainly won't buy used photography equipment on eBay because you can get new stuff much cheaper!

Mike

there is a 100-400L on ebay currently, in 'pristine condition' and its only £15 more than the brand new one in the listing above.

I guess it could be worth it, if the seller has already returned it to Canon to be calibrated.........

http://cgi.ebay.com …e_W0QQitemZ3900​26169900QQ
Note the $10.75 shipping charge. You'd have to be awfully hungry to "pull the trigger" on that one!

I've never heard of those! We don't have those over here!

Mike

Guys like those who overpay are the ones that keep noobies like me from getting a good deal on used equipment

I have just seen a 'beyond economical repair' and inoperative 5D MkI that had been dropped in the sea sell for £460!

to get a good deal you have to fine the auctions that end in the middle of the day or the middle of night when nobody else is watching, i just bought a canon 10-22 for $520 including shipping, ended in the middle of the day. Then later that day the same lens sold for over $600.

Was following a 2nd hand 70-200 2.8 IS - and was not prepared to go over £800 ( as new were 1200 ish as far as I could see). It went for £900!. I then looked on buys/sells here and someone said Apertureuk was selling new at £1050 . I know thats more that £900 but I still reckon it was worth it

Despite the lunacy of ebay, it's still a good place to go, if you're careful.

I just bought a 100-400L for £750. bargain, especially as used prices have increased in line with new, all the others I was watching went for nearer £900

Ebay needs some serious competition. One or two of you smart people should start a photo equipment auction site. C'mon...all the cool kids are doing it.

I have given up on eBay recently. It was depressing watching how much the 5D MkIs go for!

Mike