Hello drappier,
Thank you for your question.
You will find that there are a number of programs and services that
not only allow you to make last second bids at eBay and other auction
sites, but manage your auctions, help create attractive ads and save
multiple searches. You can choose among spartan or feature rich
programs as you desire.
Personally, I use a program called Auction Tamer to manage the
auctions I am following and bidding on, the auctions I have up for
sale and also my sniping functions using Bid Tamer.
Auction Tamer
http://www.auctiontamer.com/
"AuctionTamer is a unique multi-site auction software that combines
Buying and Selling features in one product. AuctionTamer allows you
to do your homework before snatching that great buy, and also takes
the hassle out of selling. AuctionTamer supports eBay US, eBay
Austria, eBay Australia, eBay Canada, eBay Germany, eBay Italy, eBay
Netherlands, eBay United Kingdom, eBay US Storefront, eBay Motors,
Amazon US, Amazon UK, Yahoo US, uBid, Antique-Photography,
AuctionAdventure, AuctionDiner, AuctionSaloon, AuctionWeiser, Bid4All,
BidVille, ChildrensBookAuction, CompusaAuctions, Dell Auctions,
GunBroker, JustBeads, LadyBugBoutique, Music-Swap, NumisArt,
PixieToys, PriceFire, SellYourItem, SmartyPantsKids, TheBlokeInThePub,
TopNotchAuctions, Uber-Auctions, UrbanAuctionz, VGAuctions,
WineCommune and YeehaAuctions. AuctionTamer works with foreign
currencies and international regional settings. AuctionTamer includes
a complete Auction Posting module with enhanced scheduling and image
hosting!"
"AuctionTamer is a complete research center for your auction buying
needs. You can easily add items of interest to AuctionTamers' watch
list. AuctionTamer will automatically update time left, the # of
bids, and the last bid amount. All items from multiple auction sites
are displayed in one easy to read list.
-Multi-auction search - Search all supported auction sites at once.
-Save your most popular searches.
-Leave feedback on a sellers account.
-User ID's & Passwords are automatically entered for easy bidding.
-Supports Buy-it-Now for eBay. Take-it-Price for Amazon and Buy Price
for Yahoo.
-Displays a Hit counter for BidVille auction items.
-Support 2 web based snipe engines for eBay.
http://at.auctionstealer.com and http://atamer.auctionsniper.com
-Built in software based AutoBid sniping feature for eBay, Yahoo and
BidVille.
-Supports eBay US Storefront items "
After auditioning and using several other auction management packages,
I found Auction Tamer to meet all of my wants, needs and desires. I
particularly like the fact that with Bid Tamer, I do not need to even
be online when my sniped bid is placed.
However, I just noticed that Auction Tamer has changed their pricing
structure and the program is now sold on a subscription basis ranging
from $15.95 for a six month buyer only plan, to $69.95 for a 12 month
Seller plan. It can also be purchased with a lifetime license for
$249.95. There is a free 14 day trial.
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BidTamer
http://bidtamer.auctionstealer.com/home.cfm
"By automatically placing your bids at the last possible moment,
BidTamer allows you to rest easy knowing that your competitors will
have literally no time to react to your bid. Schedule your bid at your
convenience and BidTamer places it with seconds to go, leaving you
free to go about your business without worrying about when to bid
next...
...BidTamer is an Auction Sniper -- it automatically places your bid
at the exact time you specify. This means you win more auctions at
much better prices. You simply set your Maximum Bid, Quantity to
Purchase, and the Timing of the Bid. Once a bid is scheduled, you no
longer have to worry about keeping an active eye on the auction.
BidTamer will take care of the bidding details at the exact moment you
specify."
BidTamer offers free accounts as well as a small fee based priority
service that will bid within the last 3 seconds of an auction. Service
details can be found here:
http://bidtamer.auctionstealer.com/info.cfm
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I then searched [auction bidding program OR software +ebay] and
located the following programs:
Auction Sentry
http://www.auction-sentry.com/
"Auction Sentry, the Auction Tracking, Bidding and Sniping software
that works for both eBay and Yahoo Auctions!
Here's what Auction Sentry can do for you:
-Watches & displays your auctions while keeping your auction
information up to date.
-Alerts you whenever there is activity in one of the auctions it is
watching for you. If the program has been minimized it will pop up and
display a screen notifying you of the change.
-Adding auctions to watch is as simple as the click of your mouse. You
can add them one at a time or have Auction Sentry sweep eBay and add
all your auctions at once.
-Place instant bids for you or it can set up time delayed bids
(sniping!) to be placed just before the auction ends to make sure that
YOU get the last bid in!
-Synchronizes your PC's internal clock with eBay's to ensure that your
bids are placed EXACTLY when you want them!
-Automatically detects when a newer version of itself is available and
will download and update your system for you. All updates are
free!..."
And more. There is a free 10 day trial for this program. Although I
have not tried it, it has received excellent reviews. It sells for
only $9.95
Turbobid
http://www.etusa.com/auction/turbobid.htm
Seems to offer both software and a web based service:
"TURBOBID- Automated Bidding Software since 1998
compatible with Windows 95,98,ME - (not XP compatible!)
if you have Windows XP or Macintosh, Please consider BidRobot.com
Note: We still offer the Turbobid Software Program because some
bidders have reliable internet connections and prefer to maintain
control of the bidding process. You should know that there are some
major advantages to using our other bidding product, www.BidRobot.com.
Specifically, BidRobot is a web site, so it will bid for you even with
your computer switched off. Also, the BidRobot server is in California
near eBay. It maintains a 6-9 second last minute bidding accuracy and
reliability that Turbobid software cannot match..."
Their service - BidRobot - is priced as follows:
"Our Payment System is simple:
$3.95 for 3 weeks unlimited use
$19.95 for 6 months unlimited use
$34.95 for 12 months unlimited use
no points or percentages for winning bids"
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Auction Insights
http://auctioninsights.com/downloads.html
Lists a number of auction programs and utilities. One mentioned here
is Auction Station.
http://www.stationsoftware.com/home/index.php
Key Features
-Precision Bidding
-Snipe Baskets (Bid until you win)
-Save & Edit Searches
-Single-Click Adding
-Watch or Snipe Unlimited # Auctions
-Auto-Updating Engine
-Plugin Support for added Features
The full feature set can be found here and looks well thought out:
http://www.stationsoftware.com/as2k/overview.html
Auction Station costs $24.95
*******************************************************
I also checked several of my favorite shareware rating sites to see
what bidding software they recommended.
WebAttack
http://www.webattack.com/Freeware/misctools/fwauction.shtml
BidSpyder
4 Stars
Free
"BidSpyder is an easy to use eBay Auction manager, that comes with
many features to take care of all your auctions with minimal effort
and without having to browse the Ebay web site. It provides you with
up to date up to date stats and information on all your auctions and
allows you to quickly add new items from the tray icon while surfing
the eBay web site. In addition, it can alert you when bids are placed
on items you are monitoring or when the auction is about to expire.
Additional features include bid sniping, auction activity log,
Internet Explorer integration and more. Nice interface."
CNET
http://download.com.com/3120-2001-0-1-3.html?qt=snipe&ca=2001
Nine programs turned up searching for "snipe". Top rated at 95%
approval rating was Auction Sentry, listed above.
Merlin Auction Magic received 67% approval:
"Merlin AuctionMagic is a collection of professionally written Windows
applications designed specifically to make life on eBay much easier,
whether you're just a casual bidder or a hardcore seller. The Snipe
tool allows you to monitor and bid on auctions using the sniping
technique to get items for less by not allowing time for others to
outbid you, and allows you to set up multiple items at once and leave
it to bid for you unattended. Another tool allows you to leave
feedback for multiple users at once with only a few mouse clicks and
using built-in or your favorite custom comments."
Free trial - $132.95 purchase
iSnipeIT garnered 57% thumbs up
"iSnipeIt is a superior eBay Bid Sniping application (sniping is the
act placing last minute bids) that also offers top notch Auction
Tracking and Archiving features. iSnipeIt automatically dials up to
the internet and places your bid in the final seconds of an auction,
saving you time and money. It includes a fully integrated web browser
for easy auction viewing and an incredibly simple and user-friendly
interface that hides its sophisticated database. Some of the Best in
Class features include multiple user support, comprehensive auction
tracking and the ability to snipe virtually an unlimited number of
auctions concurrently! Its precise execution and deadly accurate
sniping make iSnipeIt an incredible time and money saver."
20 day trial - $34.95 purchase
AuctionPrime also came in at 57%
"This auction organizer will help users coordinate their items of
interest for eBay auctions. The program keeps track of times and dates
of auctions, prices, and can even autobid at the last moments of the
auction, which helps you keep up with auctions ending at odd hours.
In version 4.01.008, the Auction Browser screen has easy menu access
to the Favorite Search list pages, Favorite Seller item list pages,
and specific auctions you have saved. The help file has been updated,
eBay's time server has been added to the list of 15 time servers
previously supported by AuctionPrime's time setting feature, seller
side features have been enhanced, and much more."
Registration costs $49.95. This is a seven-day trial.
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I trust my research has offered you a selection of the best and most
popular bidding software and will lead you to just the right solution
for your auction needs. If a link above should fail to work or
anything require further explanation, please do post a Request for
Clarification and I will be pleased to assist further.
Good luck bidding.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
