Ask HN: Why do people bid early on eBay?

Re:Ask HN: Why do people bid early on eBay? by serf on Sunday July 27, 2014 @10:22PM (#8094790)

I've bid early in the past when the bid itself was rather high compared to he item value (helping to ensure the purchase) when I've come across an auction without BuyItNow enabled.

This is due to 1) personal need for the item, 2)the threat of being unable to access the computer or auction at the auction end time, 3) the lack of effort towards setting up an automation of some sort to do it for me.

Sniping is better for the buyer, I agree. The effect is just too small on certain low cost items for me to give a damn.

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Re:Ask HN: Why do people bid early on eBay? by curiousgeorgio on Sunday July 27, 2014 @11:04PM (#8094942)

That makes sense (especially the part about not having access to bid closer to the end time) for something cheap or with few alternatives.

Still doesn't make sense to me why these people are bidding - mostly lower than the item value - for things like iPhones that have literally thousands of eBay auctions going on at any given time.

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