ebay - Minivac 601, 1st pers. digital computer 1960s

From: Doug Yowza <yowza_at_yowza.com>
Date: Sun Dec 13 16:50:56 1998

On Sun, 13 Dec 1998, Marvin wrote:

> Doug, another thing just crossed my mind. Anyone who looks at the bid items
> will see your name (assuming you are bidding on it :) ), and it would seem
> like a good thing on your part to bid late, as that wouldn't give those that
> want to see what you are up to any advance notice on what might be
> interesting.

On the contrary, this is an advanced technique similar to a dog peeing
on his territory :-) Almost all of the bidders on this particular item
were very savvy and simply "marked" the item with a low bid to give others
a heads-up about what to expect in the final minutes. This is science!

> While checking out ebay, I did notice what appeared to be a
> great item (don't recall the name but it was a plastic computer) that was
> auctioned in a catagory that made no sense. If I had been following you and
> others, I would have found it before the auction ended and decided what to
> do then. BTW, if I see someone I recognize bidding on an item, I generally
> don't bid unless it is something I REALLY want.

A sophisticated bidder doesn't browse. He knows what he's looking for and
has "canned" searches built-up that include keywords and even common
mispellings. Science, I tell you!

In any case, it comes down to whether you would appreciate the same type
of "help" on items that you had already decided you were going to bid on
yourself. If that wouldn't bother you, then by all means, continue.

-- Doug
Received on Sun Dec 13 1998 - 16:50:56 GMT