Belt Auction

Do you have any cool EBay tricks to share? I'd specifically like to know if searches can be automated?

I'm constantly searching for things on EBay, typing in the same search criteria over and over, on a very hit-or-miss basis. Does anyone know of any software, website, or maybe even a feature built into EBay that will run a large number of keyword-based searches for me periodically and automatically? I want to be notified (email and/or text msg) as soon as any of the many things I've been searching for appears, most especially the harder-to-find, seldom-listed ones. Also, do you know of any other neat tricks for optimizing one's EBay use? I'm exclusively a Buyer right now, but Sellers' (ethical) tricks would be appreciated as well. Right now, the best Buyer's trick I know of is the automatic sniper; I use Snipestreet to place my maximum bids just before the end of the auction. It's free, and has never failed me yet, unless of course I didn't bid high enough. Anyone have any input on Snipestreet, or any other sniping service? If so, could you please include info on fees? Thanks Kim, I had never noticed that feature before. I just tried it, and it looks as if it will be very helpful. I'm assuming it will run the search for you automatically - if so, do you have any idea how often, and can you specify that somewhere? In the meantime, I found a pretty cool site called Auctionsleuth that will run up to 200 searches for you at any frequency you want, even every minute I think, for as long as you keep the search active. They must have some pretty powerful servers. Definitely try using one of the bid snipers - it's great never having to worry about missing the closing of an auction, or staying up late just to bid on something. Plus, it's nice to not let anyone know you're interested in something ahead of time. Just put in the highest price you're willing to pay, and wait for an email telling you if you won or not. If you lose, no problem - it was more than you wanted to pay anyway, and it keeps you from bidding more than you "should" - BTDT :)

Public Comments

1. I don't use an automatic sniper, so I have no opinion or advice there! As far as searches go, you can save favorite searches to your My eBay page. Go to the advanced search link next to the search box. On there, you can mark the box that says "Save this search to My eBay." You can choose to be notified by email when things matching your search criteria are listed. Hope that helps and happy eBaying! : )