Tips on using Cigarbid (or how to win auctions on C-bid without losing your shirt)

[Hot Stuff x]

Originally Posted by Coop D

What happened was your max auto bid was $50. there max auto bid was more then $50 so they bumped your $50 off since the new winning bid was probably $53+... Very confussing, but they were the winners.

If the original cap was $50, the bumper should have had a minimum bid over $50.

[doblemaduro]

Thanks for the explanations Brothers. I used your logic and just won a bundle of DPG's 5 Vegas Miami for what I consider a great price. The Devil site got me again. I THOUGHT I WAS OUT, BUT THEY KEEP PULLING ME BACK IN!

[SMOKE20]

I guess the only real way to aviod the cbid devil is to stay away and try to forget it exists

[nativetexan_1]

Probably they had an autobid at least as high as your $50, but had bid earlier than you. Only the bid they needed to win showed on the screen. When you placed your bid of $50, their autobid kicked in, and they had precedence because of the earlier bid time.

[nativetexan_1]

Set reasonable, but LOW bids using autobid. (Ok, some guys seem to have suggested below reasonable just in case you get lucky.) Personally, I set the max I want to pay and even subtract the shipping. Say a box sells for $40. I'll decide to pay maybe $25, subtract the $6 shipping and bid $19. You can bid on several lots. You'll lose a lot, but you'll win occassionally. That's enough.

But, be careful. You can win more than you expect and get stuck with a pretty nasty total charge.

[Hot Stuff x]

Originally Posted by nativetexan_1

Personally, I set the max I want to pay and even subtract the shipping. Say a box sells for $40. I'll decide to pay maybe $25, subtract the $6 shipping and bid $19. .

This is exactly the strategy I use.

[orca99usa]

I like bidding on things that have a large number of lots. That way I am pretty much assured of winning at $2-3 above the opening bid price.

But, be careful. You can win more than you expect and get stuck with a pretty nasty total charge.

Excellent point. For argument's sake I assume that I am going to win every auction I am in when calculating total price. That way I don't get overextended and wind up paying far more than I intended.

[MikeyC]

Nothing drives me crazy more than when I see someone paying above retail price on c-bid. Lately I've been trying to scoop up a 15 capacity Herf-A-Dor on c-bid and I know I could buy one for $20 on several web-stores. But yet I see people bidding $23 for them on c-bid. Unbelievable!! To even bid $17 on these is dumb IMO which several people do..

[Hot Stuff x]

There's definately no shortage of dumb people out there, lol

[ssutton219]

Here....Use this to help!





CHIMP - Cbid Historical Information Management Program



Shawn

[Arnie]

I always check the "lots closing today" page first. If there is something I want and the bids are not too high, I will place a bid. Then I move on to "boxes" and see what there is, place my autobid for a price I am comfortable with. Then sometimes I check the 5-ers. Usually I don't buy 5 packs but sometimes there is a great deal. Then I wait for the results. From time to time I get an awesome deal. If I really want something I will bid a little higher because I would buy it anyway and on the auction I will get it cheaper than the catalogue price. I NEVER pay close to full price. Sometimes the price I pay is half, other times a little more, especially if I am bidding on seconds that are already cheap to start with. I'm always ready to lose and not look back. When I win it's a good thing.

[Doogie]

great advice. have stayed away from the site lately. write puff in the comments page so we aren't bidding against each other

[blueeyedbum]

Originally Posted by Hot Stuff x

I've just started using cigarbid (or "the devil site" as I have come to know it here on Cigar Live) within the last few weeks, and was hoping some of you Brothers (and Sisters!) can give up some tips on using the site.

There was some helpful advice here http://www.cigarlive.com/forum/showt...light=cigarbid but I would like this thread to be a one-stop summary of tips to using cigarbid.

The best post from the above thread (IMHO) was from Architeuthis:

"These days Squid® sets a ridiculously low limit to my bids. I lose on maybe 85% or 90% of my bids, but when I win I get really REALLY good prices. Don't ever let the excitement get to you. I usually see about 20% of the bids in CBid go over retail price... Good for CI but still...I lurked on cigarbid for a few weeks before I won an auction. I bid on a few items but always got outbid. That's okay, because I was looking for a decent deal--which is not always the case, especially if you are hell bent on winning a particular item. "


I am proud to say that I have finally won a couple of auctions on c-bid. My first was a box of 5 Vegas Limitada 2008 Belicoso in that sweet packaging with the ashtray/lid--got it for $70 plus shipping. http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/imagePopup.cfm?imgPic=CS-5UA.jpg&imgTitle=5 Vegas Limitada ’08 Belicoso (25)


So with all that said, here are some strategies I have been using to get the most out of Cigarbid auctions. Your mileage may vary. Please feel free to correct me if you think I'm mistaken, or add your own comments and tips. And as always, thanks for playing along!:

Try to get into an auction early, before all the lots are bid on. Look at "Lots opening today" to see when upcoming auctions will start. If you get into an auction before all the lots are bid on, you can get in at the minimum bid. If it is a single item that is up for bids you will have the best chance of winning it if you are the first bidder (and you set your limit high enough).

Autobid is your friend. Decide what you are willing to spend on the item you are bidding on, and set that as your upper limit (enter the auction at the lowest acceptable bid).

If all the lots you are looking at have bids, but are below what you are willing to pay, then you may be tempted to bid. However, take a look to see if all the bidders are using autobid. If they are, you may not bump anyone at your upper limit. My rule of thumb is if all the lots have already been bid on by autobidders, I bow out--if we all do this as a community, prices will stay low. Just keep watching the upcoming auctions until the item you wanted comes up for bids again.

If you want to save money on shipping, use thier once-a-week shipping option. If you do this, also be aware of what days your auctions close--if you win auctions in two different weeks, you will have two shipments.

Whew! Sorry to be so long winded, but I thought it would be helpful to start a thread with some tips like these. Please continue the thread with your own helpful advice.

Great advice for people new to Cbid. I just won a bid on Xikar cutter using this method. I bid on them every time I had cigars won for the last three months, used auto bid, tried to get in early. Refused to bid over $20. Takes little effort. Lost bid after bid, but patience paid off.

[Arnie]

I think the bottom line is ENJOY YOURSELF! Set a price in your mind before you start and don't let yourself go over that. Then relax and enjoy the process. You win some you lose some, you have fun, you save money, you smoke cigars. You're a winner!!!!

You'll work out a strategy that suits you.

Have fun!

[deep]

Originally Posted by ssutton219

Here....Use this to help!





CHIMP - Cbid Historical Information Management Program



Shawn

Wow! This is great, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. And thank you all for the advice, this is my first post, I have been lurking for a few weeks, and half the reason I joined was just so I could use the search to find out what the "devil site" was...hahaha