This how to guide will show you the best methods of sniping an eBay auction, increasing your chances of winning an auction for the least money possible.

Steps

1. Find an auction you’re interested in.

2. Watch the auction you’re interested in. Note when it finishes and remember this for later. Record the item number and auction end time.

3. Come back to your auction 10 minutes before it ends. If it’s still in a nice price range, then sit back and wait. Make sure you’re logged in.

4. While waiting, decide exactly how much you’re willing to spend on this item. Lets say you’re willing to pay $10 for it. Keep reloading or refreshing the page to keep a better watch on the time.

5. Wait until the auction has about 1 minute - 40 seconds left. Experts can and probably should wait for a little lower, say 30 - 20 seconds left. Start to place your bid.

6. Say your auction had 40 seconds left, input your price and go to the confirm bid screen, wait about twenty to thirty seconds.

7. You should bid about $10.07; the 7 extra cents pennies can beat a bidder if they’ve set their maximum bid at $10. You win for a measly 7 cents more.

8. By the time you click confirm bid, there will be about 10 seconds left, not enough time for someone to make a come back bid.

9. You should win the auction, unless someone’s highest bid is over your snipe.

Tips

* Sniping is a way to make sure you win an item for the least price possible, as the other person isn’t able to make a comeback bid.

* If the current highest bidder’s maximum bid is over yours, you may not have time to make another bid, so make sure you place your highest bid in your snipe.

* Always stick to your highest bid. If you’re not the highest bidder after your snipe, do not enter a frantic bidding war. Sniping is an activity which will usually raise your adrenaline/excitement and you may succumb to thinking “Just a few more dollars/pounds won’t matter.” Don’t fall for this; stick to what you predetermine.

* Check bid history before the auction is over, many people use sniping tools - in some cases their final price may be shown before the bid reaches that amount.

Warnings

* Sniping is viewed by many “ebayers” as an extremely rude and underhanded method of winning an auction.

* Sniping is an unreliable method, so if you’re really desperate for this item (i.e. it’s rare or you especially need it) you should play it safe by just bidding normally.

* Watch the location of the item, as shipping from other countries can be expensive.

This how to guide will show you the best methods of sniping an eBay auction, increasing your chances of winning an auction for the least money possible.

Steps

1. Find an auction you’re interested in.

2. Watch the auction you’re interested in. Note when it finishes and remember this for later. Record the item number and auction end time.

3. Come back to your auction 10 minutes before it ends. If it’s still in a nice price range, then sit back and wait. Make sure you’re logged in.

4. While waiting, decide exactly how much you’re willing to spend on this item. Lets say you’re willing to pay $10 for it. Keep reloading or refreshing the page to keep a better watch on the time.

5. Wait until the auction has about 1 minute - 40 seconds left. Experts can and probably should wait for a little lower, say 30 - 20 seconds left. Start to place your bid.

6. Say your auction had 40 seconds left, input your price and go to the confirm bid screen, wait about twenty to thirty seconds.

7. You should bid about $10.07; the 7 extra cents pennies can beat a bidder if they’ve set their maximum bid at $10. You win for a measly 7 cents more.

8. By the time you click confirm bid, there will be about 10 seconds left, not enough time for someone to make a come back bid.

9. You should win the auction, unless someone’s highest bid is over your snipe.

Tips

* Sniping is a way to make sure you win an item for the least price possible, as the other person isn’t able to make a comeback bid.

* If the current highest bidder’s maximum bid is over yours, you may not have time to make another bid, so make sure you place your highest bid in your snipe.

* Always stick to your highest bid. If you’re not the highest bidder after your snipe, do not enter a frantic bidding war. Sniping is an activity which will usually raise your adrenaline/excitement and you may succumb to thinking “Just a few more dollars/pounds won’t matter.” Don’t fall for this; stick to what you predetermine.

* Check bid history before the auction is over, many people use sniping tools - in some cases their final price may be shown before the bid reaches that amount.

Warnings

* Sniping is viewed by many “ebayers” as an extremely rude and underhanded method of winning an auction.

* Sniping is an unreliable method, so if you’re really desperate for this item (i.e. it’s rare or you especially need it) you should play it safe by just bidding normally.

* Watch the location of the item, as shipping from other countries can be expensive.