Using Automated Sniping Services and Software

If you can't personally be present to snipe at the end of an auction, check out an automated sniping program or web-based sniping service. These programs and services let you enter the item number of the auction and your maximum bid beforehand, and then go online at precisely the right time to place a last-minute snipeeven if you're not at home or you're otherwise occupied.

The best of these auto-snipe tools are listed in Table 12.1.

Table 12.1. Automated Sniping Programs and Websites

Tool	Type	Pricing	Website
Auction Sentry	Software	$14.95 ($24.95 for Deluxe edition)	www.auction-sentry.com
AuctionSniper	Web service	1% of final price ($0.25 min/$9.95 max)	www.auctionsniper.com
AuctionStealer	Web service	$8.99$11.99/month	www.auctionstealer.com
AuctionTamer	Software	$24.95/year	www.auctiontamer.com
BidNapper	Web service	$9.95/month	www.bidnapper.com
BidRobot	Web service	$5.00$99.00/month, depending on number of snipes and amount won	www.bidrobot.com
BidSlammer	Web service	$0.10/losing bid or 1% of final price ($0.25 min/$5.00 max)	www.bidslammer.com
Cricket Power Sniper	Software	$24.99	www.cricketsniper.com
eSnipe	Web service	1% of final price ($0.25 min/ $10.00 max)	www.esnipe.com
HammerSnipe	Web service	Free	www.hammertap.com/HammerSnipe.html
Merlin Auction Magic	Software	$14.95	www.merlinsoftware.com
Vrane Sniper	Web service	Free	www.vrane.com

The Absolute Minimum

Here are the key points to remember from this chapter:

• Sniping is the art of saving your bid until the very final seconds of an auction.

• Sniping works because it doesn't tip your hand early (and thus drive up the bid price) and it doesn't allow time for competing bidders to respond to your bid.

• The best way to snipe is to open two windows on your desktop, one watching the current bid results and the other primed for your last-second bid.

• To snipe when you're away from home or asleep, use an automated sniping service or program.