You're using a sniping service, but it feels like you keep losing to other snipers. The auction ends, you check the bid history, and someone placed a bid just seconds after yours. What's going on?
Here's the truth: You're not getting out-sniped. You're losing to eBay's proxy bidding system. Someone placed a higher maximum bid earlier --- sometimes hours or even days before your snipe --- and eBay's system automatically defended their bid when yours came in.
When someone bids on eBay, they enter a maximum amount they're willing to pay. eBay keeps this number secret and only bids the minimum needed to stay ahead. When your snipe arrives, eBay instantly checks if there's a higher proxy bid waiting. If there is, eBay raises the other bidder's visible bid to beat yours --- all within milliseconds.
This creates the illusion that someone bid after you, when in reality their bid was placed long before.
This isn't bad luck --- it's actually very common. Here's why:
Serious buyers bid high and walk away. Experienced eBay buyers know to enter their true maximum and forget about it. They're not watching the auction end.
The proxy ceiling is invisible. You can't see how high someone's maximum bid is. The current price might be $50, but someone could have a $200 proxy bid waiting.
Sniping can't beat a higher bid. Sniping is a timing strategy, not a price strategy. It prevents emotional bidding wars and hides your interest, but it cannot magically beat someone who was willing to pay more.
When you see this after an auction:
| Bidder | Bid Amount | Time |
|---|---|---|
| winner99 | $127.00 | 2 sec before end |
| you | $125.00 | 5 sec before end |
It looks like winner99 sniped you. But here's what actually happened:
Bid your true maximum. Don't try to sneak in with a low bid. Ask yourself: "What's the most I'd pay for this item?" Bid that amount. If someone else was willing to pay more, they deserve to win.
Check the bid history before sniping. Lots of early bidding activity often means high proxy ceilings are already in place.
Don't chase losses. If you keep losing on similar items, it might mean you're undervaluing them. Either increase your maximum or accept that others want them more.
Remember what sniping does do: - Hides your interest until the last moment - Prevents emotional bidding wars that drive up prices - Protects you from "shill bidding" (sellers bidding on their own items) - Gives you time to research and decide on your true maximum
Sniping is a powerful strategy, but it's not magic. The highest bid still wins.
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