Bidding on ricardo

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21
Sorry but I don't understand this strategy at all. What do you mean "they will not have to spend a lot of time.." Likely case they have an autobid that will trump you anyway. I don't see any way your strategy is better than just setting a max bid. Bearing in mind that the person leading the auction also probably has a max bid. Phil_mCR is surely right

22
A friend of mine sold something on Ebay a while back that doesn't come up that often and goes for somewhere between 100-120 bucks usually.

Two bidders got the bright idea to bid super high, probably figuring that they might have to shell out 150 or something but hey, they wanted it bad!

Final auction price was 1400 CHF .

23
The best way to get a good price for your item is to set a starting price of 1.-

That way, a lot of people will follow your auction and bid again, unlike an auction where you set the starting price near your target price.

24
Hi V__, i thought that the auction ends 5 mins after the last bid. If i bid 3 mins before the end, wouldnt the system just take the auction forward by 5 mins?? Also i was thinking of starting 15 mins early to allow myself some time to get to any max bid set by the current highest bidder. As i dont want to set my max bid at the outset, i assume that this will take a few mins

Hi Sbrinz, Yes. I have completed that part and have the login credentials ready. I have also tried putting in a bid for another item just to try out the login. Thankfully someone outbid me in a day.

Hi paizuri, If the current winning bid has an associated max bid which exceeds the limit that i have set... then they will win. I have decided where i will stop. If their max bid is lower than my target then i am giving myself adequate time by starting 15 mins early to exceed their max bid. After that its just their determination and time against mine. Again if they cross my limit then they can have the item.

Hi Mud, This is why i am going to go with the preset limit.

Hi simon_ch, I will keep this in mind when i plan to sell something on ricardo. For now, the focus is on buying this thing.

Any answers for this???

25
I don't see how that can be a problem. As you say, you already have your name and password.

The only thing is, if you do win the bid but can't collect inmediately because you are on holidays, tell the seller, it's just good manners.

Good luck.

26
seriously guys, rocket science this is not....

see something you like? decide how much you're willing to pay for it, place a bid in the 'maximum' field, and go away. check the next day.

27
Hi dino, Not exactly the best approach in my view.

As i keep discussing this, I can see that the bidding battle has already beun this morning and the 4K+ buyer is out bidding anyone that cares to bid. With my price deadline approaching fast, I am afraid that the battle is going to be over beforre it even begins for me

28
I'm dying of curiosity here . Pray tell, what are you bidding for?

29
Probably this http://shops.ricardo.ch/kategorien/b...ing&value=ebay

30
Hi J.Marple, Was out in the day so could not respond earlier. You know that i cant tell you this yet. The item is just within my limit for now. There has been a new bidder with about 100 odd items and has gone bid for bid with the 4K+ bidder. So all in all things have heated up. With the easter break, I assume that folks have a lot of time and i expect a bit more action in the next couple of days.

Hi k_and_e, Really funny. I have read some horrible posts about paypal on this forum and dont intend on even attempting to open my account on ebay just due to that reason.

31
It doesn't make a difference if a buyer has 0 items sold/bought (reputation) or 5000. It makes a difference when you sell, but not when you buy.

The 3 minutes are not added to the current time, the clock gets reset to 3:00. So if you bid at 2:55, the clock will go at 3:00.

I am buying/selling on ricardo for a while now and as I mentioned it before, if it's a high profile sought after item 99.99% of the time you won't be able to get it for a low or even a normal price. Keep an eye on the auction, but be prepared to stop when you have determined the price before because it can get really messy with the last minute bidding...

32
You are right. I was just thinking in terms of strategy used by these folks. But after this thrread, I have formulated mine as well. Now its just my time and money against theirs.

Again a valuable thing to know

Cmon... It dosent hurt to think that I will get it at a resonable price

Completely agree... But all this discussion is making me rethink my limit. Getting more attached to the item.

33
Set a limit BEFORE the end of the auction and see how it goes. I assure you in those last 2-3 minutes things get crazy and you can go well ABOVE your limit without realizing it.

I suggest you follow few auctions and you will see that although there are quite nice bargains on ricardo most of the items that are of any value with great interest will rocket the price in the last minutes or so. The Swiss are not really rational shoppers, they spend their money big time!

34
I still don't understand how complicated some of you are making this out to be...

And I don't know if people go crazy bidding on clothes or shoes or furniture... I have only ever bid on computer/electronics stuff and have snatched some crazy bargains more than once... like a 21" almost new monitor for chf 50. or a desktop PC - ready to use for chf 85.

But yes, there are ignorant people everywhere.. bidding chf 85 for an external 1TB HD when you can get a brand spanking new one at Interdiscount for chf 100, for example..

35
As said by others before, the best advice we can give you is make up your mind about the maximum amount you are willing to pay and stick to it. Because we all know what happens in the heat of the bid .

Good luck, and keep us posted .

36
You are right V__. I have to exercise self restraint.

I agree dino. I have to set a value for the item that i wish to purchase and stick to that valuation. As the purcase will only remain a bargain if i stick to my limit.

Thanks J.Marple. I will keep this is mind and will definately post the results.

37
Very wrong.

I have bought a lot of good stuff for 1 CHF per item. Guess many sellers think that have a unique item which will be high in demand but they end up disappointed but one single franc richer.

I recently sold a very nice "kackel ofen" for 1 CHF, but I saved at least 100 CHF at the recycling place if I had to get rid if it and the hassle of getting it there.

38
In case someone is still wondering....

I was bidding for the below item

Nikon D5100 + Sigma 24-70mm + Ortlieb Aqua-Zoom Fototasche

My personal limit was CHF 600. This magically changed to 725 during the last few moments. But there were two other members who wanted it more than I did. They waged a war in the dying moments and the price jumped from 685 in the last 5 minutes to CHF 930 !!!

I am thankful that i was able to exercise self restraint and watch the auction through to its end.

Maybe I am destined to buy a brand new one. I need to wait till some online store comes up with a real bargain on a new one

39
Good job! I know how it gets at the end... it's not just self-restraint, it's also a whole lot of fun!

Don't worry, you get to practice again, and have more fun

40
I'm so proud of you , you set yourself a limit and stuck to it, sort of.

It wasn't to be. Maybe next time?

Thanks for letting us know.