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Last post 5 years ago by frankj1. 45 replies replies.
Is there a FAQ section at CigarBid?
btpcm Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
I have some questions about how the bidding process works.
Questions in several categories, but here's an example:
.
Especially what makes a "Winning Bid" become "Outbid."
Does the mathematical process this site uses get explained or defined anywhere for us to read?
When a lot has only one bid for 2 days and then several new bids in the last day, what happens to the first bid?
If the first bid was say, $14.50 higher than the minimum from the start, does that give it more staying power?
Sometimes I see a low early bid gets outbid, and other times I see a low early bid remains.
And sometimes a low early bid remains even after 8 new bids which are all two or three $ higher than the first was.
.
The manner in which these prices automatically change seems to be rather cryptic.
Can I read anywhere about the algorithms or protocol embedded in the software so I can better get a grip on this?

MACS Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,593
This is a job for...

THUNDER GERBIL!!!
victor809 Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 10-14-2011
Posts: 23,866
I agree with MACS... you should PM any FAQs you have to Thunder.Gerbil.... he handles all the IT and bidding assistance on this site...
JadeRose Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 05-15-2008
Posts: 19,525
Yep.....TG is your man
Whistlebritches Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
I don't know........if you need Thundergerbil to explain the bidding process here you're only going to leave confused.I may have been here 12 years or so but the bidding process is pretty simple and straightforward.Actually back in the day when someone bid with less than 5 minutes and it added 5 minutes on at the time of the last bid........well it made sniping way more difficult.
btpcm Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
Okay, so Thunder Gerbil,
Can you tell me why one new bid that's $2 higher than several existing "winning" bids, is immediately followed by the new "Bid to win" jumping up to $1 more than the one new bid was -- UNLESS the one new bid is more than $40, then the new "Bid to win" jumps up to $2 more than the one new bid was --- UNLESS the one new bid is more than $45 in which case the new "Bid to win" becomes $3 more than the one new bid?

In the first case, with 3 existing bids of $36, the "Bid to win" of $37 turns into a new "Bid to win" of $38 when one new bid of $37 turns up -- AND, with 3 existing bids of $39, the "Bid to win" of $40 turns into a new "Bid to win" of $42 as soon as one new $40 bid turns up -- AND, with 3 existing bids of $44, the "Bid to win" of $46 suddenly becomes a new "Bid to win" of $49 when one new bid of $46 turns up. The same rules apply from $1 to $39 then a new set of rules apply for $40 to $49.

Now it looks like I should PM to Thunder.Gerbil --- with a "dot" before the G?
illinichaser Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 07-24-2011
Posts: 5,772
Ok, so maybe its just me, but when I come to a new forum, I look around the place a little before starting a new thread. One, I want to make sure that my thread isn't going to just be the subject of ridicule. . . Two, I want to make sure I start off on the right foot with the group.

Also I want to make sure that if I do have a question, I am able to make some progress in actually resolving my question.


This forum, probably won't get your questions answered. TG may stop by and reply nicely, but its still a tricky proposition.

Seems to me you want HELP, if I want HELP somewhere new, I tend to look for something that says HELP(and its generally located either at the top of the page(like top right here) or at the bottom of the page.)

And then if I have a really specific question that I'm hoping to get answered I look for an appropriate resource to ask my question. Generally found under a link saying something about CONTACT US.

But of course, that's because I like to get my questions answered by knowledgeable people in a fast efficient manner, that generally does not come from asking a broad audience an say a forum setting. . . Search functions are also helpful, but that is the subject of a different diatribe.

Good luck to you in your pursuit. . .
teedubbya Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
You have to PM thundergerbil. He's a busy guy. He wont see it in here but if you PM him he responds quickly.
RMAN4443 Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
illinichaser wrote:
Ok, so maybe its just me, but when I come to a new forum, I look around the place a little before starting a new thread. One, I want to make sure that my thread isn't going to just be the subject of ridicule. . . Two, I want to make sure I start off on the right foot with the group.

Also I want to make sure that if I do have a question, I am able to make some progress in actually resolving my question.


This forum, probably won't get your questions answered. TG may stop by and reply nicely, but its still a tricky proposition.

Seems to me you want HELP, if I want HELP somewhere new, I tend to look for something that says HELP(and its generally located either at the top of the page(like top right here) or at the bottom of the page.)

And then if I have a really specific question that I'm hoping to get answered I look for an appropriate resource to ask my question. Generally found under a link saying something about CONTACT US.

But of course, that's because I like to get my questions answered by knowledgeable people in a fast efficient manner, that generally does not come from asking a broad audience an say a forum setting. . . Search functions are also helpful, but that is the subject of a different diatribe.

Good luck to you in your pursuit. . .

Yeah, that's one way to do it, but it's not as entertaining as btpcm's method...Anxious
JadeRose Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 05-15-2008
Posts: 19,525
btpcm wrote:
Okay, so Thunder Gerbil,
Can you tell me why one new bid that's $2 higher than several existing "winning" bids, is immediately followed by the new "Bid to win" jumping up to $1 more than the one new bid was -- UNLESS the one new bid is more than $40, then the new "Bid to win" jumps up to $2 more than the one new bid was --- UNLESS the one new bid is more than $45 in which case the new "Bid to win" becomes $3 more than the one new bid?

In the first case, with 3 existing bids of $36, the "Bid to win" of $37 turns into a new "Bid to win" of $38 when one new bid of $37 turns up -- AND, with 3 existing bids of $39, the "Bid to win" of $40 turns into a new "Bid to win" of $42 as soon as one new $40 bid turns up -- AND, with 3 existing bids of $44, the "Bid to win" of $46 suddenly becomes a new "Bid to win" of $49 when one new bid of $46 turns up. The same rules apply from $1 to $39 then a new set of rules apply for $40 to $49.

Now it looks like I should PM to Thunder.Gerbil --- with a "dot" before the G?




Yes...it has a dot before the G
ZRX1200 Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,476
David Kwelberg
[email protected]

214-914-3337

6512 Meade St. Dallas Tx. 75232

He's the owner of cbid, and very willing to help 24 hours a day.
btpcm Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
Thank you everyone for your advice.
Thanks to MACS, victor809, Jade Rose, Whistlebritches, illinichaser, teedubya, RMAN4443, and ZRX1200.
You guys rock!!
Very inspiring usernames!
But seriously, your appropriate and insightful replies are quite informative. This beats "Help" IMHO 'cause it's the inside skinny.
.
I won two forays into bidkingdom on my first go-round (and lost 4 - oh well) and in the process was puzzled at the variety of user behavior.
Here's one for the books.
New offering, a sampler with 4 ea., 4 variations on one brand, OPENS UP for bids on Saturday, $54.99 QuickBuy price, $1 minimum bid, and no buyers show up until Monday. Perhaps a few really low bids got outbid Sat. & Sun.
Bids start real low, like $1 or $2, some get outbid and others gradually work their way up to $42 by Wednesday.
$42.50 and $43.50 are presently the highest bids, with the "Bid to Win" price set now at $45. 4 Winners * 18 Bids Total. Ends 3 hours from now, this evening. Units available = 7 -- Maximum bid quantity = 2
Meanwhile, the same sampler is OPENED UP on Sunday but with a Free Fall price game; no buyers show up until Tuesday when suddenly 6 buy one unit each, then no action for 2 more days! All 6 bought 1 unit 2 days ago (Tuesday). The price falls to under $44.55 before resetting to $66.35. So you should be able to hit the 45 mark, a more sure shot than the $45 "Bid to Win" price (B2W) in the first auction, above, because you could get outbid up there. Ends Saturday evening. Units available = ? -- Max. purchase quant. = 2
A THIRD identical sampler OPENS on Monday and immediately over 70 buyers bid the opening price of $47.50 (perhaps they started lower, etc., but since yesterday they've been at $47.50), and three bid higher, $52, $53 and $56 respectively. Those 3 higher bids did not raise the minimum B2W required to their level. I have no idea why. Isn't that what it means to be "outbid?"
Go check it out -- sampler/2916700/ -- Next day or two or three, 40 more buyers go for the $47.50 bid -- SO the "Bid to Win" price was unaffected by the three bids in the 50s. Ends Saturday evening. Units available = 150 -- Max. bid quant. = 150 (?!)
As it stands there are "116 Winners * 116 Bids Total" in this one auction -- mostly 1 unit, some 2 units and ending with one bid of 5 units at $50 each an hour ago, placed while the B2W was $47.50! All told, this one auction has 111 bidders held to the $47.50 price, which could increase, but I'm not sure why it hasn't -- too many customers weighing the price down, or what?

Why would so MANY bidders flock to one auction when the same product is available in two other auctions for less?
I hope this isn't breaking the rules!
btpcm Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
The only obvious difference in the postings of those 3 auctions I described above, is that in the third one, started on Monday which is getting all the action (116 bidders) has the following DESCRIPTION:

Welcome to Club Nub. Let's Party! . . . .

This crew rolls deepโ€ฆ 16 Nub cigars all together and ready to rock at up to 58% off. This sampler features four different blends like the 92-rated Nub Cameroon, Nub Dub (featuring two amazing maduro wrappers), and more. What makes Nub so special? Well, by creating these short yet stout premiums, the folks over at Oliva managed to capture the โ€˜sweet spotโ€™ of a cigar from the instant you light it up till it starts burning your fingers [not recommended]. Densely packed with long-fillers inside hefty ring gauges, each cigar burns slow and maintains a comparable burn time as conventional sizes.


Was there some kind of advertising campaign "Club Nub" in some periodical or website that brought in all these bidders?
Whistlebritches Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
btpcm wrote:
Thank you everyone for your advice.
Thanks to MACS, victor809, Jade Rose, Whistlebritches, illinichaser, teedubya, RMAN4443, and ZRX1200.
You guys rock!!
Very inspiring usernames!
But seriously, your appropriate and insightful replies are quite informative. This beats "Help" IMHO 'cause it's the inside skinny.
.
I won two forays into bidkingdom on my first go-round (and lost 4 - oh well) and in the process was puzzled at the variety of user behavior.
Here's one for the books.
New offering, a sampler with 4 ea., 4 variations on one brand, OPENS UP for bids on Saturday, $54.99 QuickBuy price, $1 minimum bid, and no buyers show up until Monday. Perhaps a few really low bids got outbid Sat. & Sun.
Bids start real low, like $1 or $2, some get outbid and others gradually work their way up to $42 by Wednesday.
$42.50 and $43.50 are presently the highest bids, with the "Bid to Win" price set now at $45. 4 Winners * 18 Bids Total. Ends 3 hours from now, this evening. Units available = 7 -- Maximum bid quantity = 7
Meanwhile, the same sampler is OPENED UP on Sunday but with a Free Fall price game; no buyers show up until Tuesday when suddenly 6 buy one unit each, then no action for 2 more days! All 6 bought 1 unit 2 days ago (Tuesday). The price falls to under $44.55 before resetting to $66.35. So you should be able to hit the 45 mark, a more sure shot than the $45 "Bid to Win" price (B2W) in the first auction, above, because you could get outbid up there. Ends Saturday evening. Units available = ? -- Max. purchase quant. = 2
A THIRD identical sampler OPENS on Monday and immediately over 70 buyers bid the opening price of $47.50 (perhaps they started lower, etc., but since yesterday they've been at $47.50), and three bid higher, $52, $53 and $56 respectively. Those 3 higher bids did not raise the minimum B2W required to their level. I have no idea why. Isn't that what it means to be "outbid?"
Go check it out -- sampler/2916700/ -- Next day or two or three, 40 more buyers go for the $47.50 bid -- SO the "Bid to Win" price was unaffected by the three bids in the 50s. Ends Saturday evening. Units available = 150 -- Max. bid quant. = 150 (?!)
As it stands there are "116 Winners * 116 Bids Total" in this one auction -- mostly 1 unit, some 2 units and ending with one bid of 5 units at $50 each an hour ago, placed while the B2W was $47.50! All told, this one auction has 111 bidders held to the $47.50 price, which could increase, but I'm not sure why it hasn't -- too many customers weighing the price down, or what?

Why would so MANY bidders flock to one auction when the same product is available in two other auctions for less?
I hope this isn't breaking the rules!


You are entertaining to say the least.
8trackdisco Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,992
It's the algorithm Thunder Gerbil set up. Think it was called Zero Sum Beta Analytics.

The cigar actions are transposed on a VHM (Variance Heat Map). It can fell how long you were looking but not bidding on a lot.

I think Victor809 is working on an upgraded module as a contractor. If TG can get him the darned specs in time.
frankj1 Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
I can't read all that.
Call customer service and ask them where to find FAQ
btpcm Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
Whistlebritches wrote:
You are entertaining to say the least.

It's nice to be appreciated!

Did you go check out that Lot#2916700?
The B2W price has been STUCK at $47.50 for three days!
Status = OPEN
Winners = 117
Bids Total = 117

Last Winner was GT of Ferndale MI, with a bid of $47.50 two hours ago!
That makes 112 at that price over 3 days!
While 3 bids came in at more than $3 higher ($52 and up).
(Now I noticed that 3 bids were higher than $47.50 and less than $50.50.
Finally the B2W (minimum bid) increased to $50.50 with that bid #117.
The B2W price was stuck at $47.50 for over 2 days, during the 4th of July holiday!

It appears to me there was a glitch in the software that allowed 112 bids at $47.50 to remain unmolested.
They should have been outbid with all those higher priced bids coming in.
Or at least some of them would have been outbid and the rest increased using the optional Max Bid field.

TLDR should be my username.


btpcm Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
frankj1 wrote:
I can't read all that.
Call customer service and ask them where to find FAQ


Cool. I love honesty! Thank you!
btpcm Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
8trackdisco wrote:
It's the algorithm Thunder Gerbil set up. Think it was called Zero Sum Beta Analytics.

The cigar actions are transposed on a VHM (Variance Heat Map). It can fell [tell?] how long you were looking but not bidding on a lot.

I think Victor809 is working on an upgraded module as a contractor. If TG can get him the darned specs in time.

Dear 8trackdisco,
Presuming you're not pulling my leg (ahem!) your answer is thought-provoking to me.
VHM is most curious for this.
An algorithm that keeps track of how long I was "looking at" one or more cigar lots raises a number of questions!!
For starters, it would appear that looky-loos could affect the rate of B2W increase.
Some cigar club could agree to all log on and keep the lot# open even while they're having dinner and stuff.
They could agree to take shifts keeping the lot# open on different computers, so the B2W doesn't go up for 3 days!
Maybe I should start a new thread! HAHHAHAHA
But seriously, your reply is going to keep me up tonight, for I fear repercussions.
This site has so much to look at all ready, but now you're throwing me a curve ball! (or was that a change-up?)

If I can resist the urge to StartPage Zero Sum Beta Analytics it will be a MIRACLE.
I really don't want to bother the great Gerbil until I know what I'm talking about around here. DUUUUH.
btpcm Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
illinichaser wrote:
Ok, so maybe its just me, but when I come to a new forum, I look around the place a little before starting a new thread. One, I want to make sure that my thread isn't going to just be the subject of ridicule. . . Two, I want to make sure I start off on the right foot with the group.

Also I want to make sure that if I do have a question, I am able to make some progress in actually resolving my question.


This forum, probably won't get your questions answered. TG may stop by and reply nicely, but its still a tricky proposition.

Seems to me you want HELP, if I want HELP somewhere new, I tend to look for something that says HELP(and its generally located either at the top of the page(like top right here) or at the bottom of the page.)

And then if I have a really specific question that I'm hoping to get answered I look for an appropriate resource to ask my question. Generally found under a link saying something about CONTACT US.

But of course, that's because I like to get my questions answered by knowledgeable people in a fast efficient manner, that generally does not come from asking a broad audience an say a forum setting. . . Search functions are also helpful, but that is the subject of a different diatribe.

Good luck to you in your pursuit. . .

I have a confession to make, illinichaser.
You have forced me to re-read your post 3 times now, and there's just one thing I can't answer.
What are "illini" and why do you chase them? Cool
bs_kwaj Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214

Man... if there was only a Customer Support phone number... or even an email address .....


BigGrin

Beer
bs_kwaj Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214
frankj1 wrote:
I can't read all that.
Call customer service and ask them where to find FAQ


Maybe it's under the 'Help' section. Heheh.... BigGrin

But maybe it doesn't answer a specific question...

And, no, I didn't read all the replies. Just got home from beers and cigars at the Vets Hall.

I'm just tryin' to help out. Herfing

Beer
illinichaser Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 07-24-2011
Posts: 5,772
btpcm wrote:
I have a confession to make, illinichaser.
You have forced me to re-read your post 3 times now, and there's just one thing I can't answer.
What are "illini" and why do you chase them? Cool


Well, as the old saying goes. . . If you have to ask, you don't need to know


Glad you are actually able to read. For a bit I wasn't certain.

As for my user name. Its one I've had for a long time. Illini is the team name of the University I graduated from. Chaser is an ode to my poker playing days where I was quite prolific at hitting straights and flushes.

Probably, not nearly as interesting of a foundation for my name as you had hoped. . .

Good luck in your endeavors.
victor809 Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 10-14-2011
Posts: 23,866
You are both pale imitations of the genius of Cameroon....
btpcm Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
illinichaser wrote:
Well, as the old saying goes. . . If you have to ask, you don't need to know


Glad you are actually able to read. For a bit I wasn't certain.

As for my user name. Its one I've had for a long time. Illini is the team name of the University I graduated from. Chaser is an ode to my poker playing days where I was quite prolific at hitting straights and flushes.

Probably, not nearly as interesting of a foundation for my name as you had hoped. . .

Good luck in your endeavors.

Thank you. Your honesty is refreshing. I think I'm getting the answers I was looking for. I don't know any ladies who smoke cigars but I've heard it's a growing trend -- do you?
victor809 Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 10-14-2011
Posts: 23,866
2 days on the forum and already he's trying to get a date...

Jesus... Cool your jets.

All the women on this forum post in the private area... Primarily for this reason...

You want to be able to get to the private area you have to get your post count up, write a number of cigar reviews, and then PM thunder.gerbil and teedubbya.... They are the moderators for that area.
Mr. Jones Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,359
Ask ESPN
frankj1 Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
illinichaser wrote:
Well, as the old saying goes. . . If you have to ask, you don't need to know


Glad you are actually able to read. For a bit I wasn't certain.

As for my user name. Its one I've had for a long time. Illini is the team name of the University I graduated from. Chaser is an ode to my poker playing days where I was quite prolific at hitting straights and flushes.

Probably, not nearly as interesting of a foundation for my name as you had hoped. . .

Good luck in your endeavors.

I was a sucker for chasing inside straights
btpcm Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
Mr. Jones wrote:
Ask ESPN

You can't be serious. Sportscasters aren't allowed to smoke cigars! Herfing

But seriously, I'd like to post a copy of the 117 Winners of this lot I asked about above, but I don't want to cross the line IYKWIM.

Here's the link to the bid page, which closes tomorrow evening:

https://www.cigarbid.com...-super-sampler/2916700/

If you don't believe me go see for yourself.
No Poker Face.
111 (one hundred eleven) Winners at $47.50
6 others HIGHER than that, ranging from $48 to $56 -- FIFTY-SIX!

NO JIVE -- here's the guy with the $56 bid:
JM of Simi Valley, CA
$56.00/ea1 Unit, 3 days ago
JM of SV is bid #49 -- you'd have to be Evelyn Wood to find that one quickly! hahahahaha

So for the past 3 days, his bid at $8.50 more than most of the winners has not raised the B2W price.
The B2W price was STUCK at 47.50 for at least 2 whole days, maybe more, while at least 40 new bids came in at that price without raising the B2W, and it only went up to $50.50 yesterday, where it remains even NOW.

Go check it out. I can't believe it. Bidding is still open.
And any new bid at 50.50 (still about half price!) is still only $3 more than 47.50 so nobody will be overbid with that.
............ I think ...........

Actually I have no idea, but that's what I think, anyways.
btpcm Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
Trivia time!

How many cigars are accounted for in this one lot of 117 Winners, and if one person smoked them all, how long would it take?


Wait a minute....... that's missing an o and an s. Is that a clue? Stands for missing OS as in no operating system?????
Kind of ties in with having it "for a long time," like, what can you do with it, without an OS?
btpcm Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
Answer:

3,000 (three thousand) hours of continuous cigar smoking.
Now, the only factor remaining is, how long can one person continuously smoke cigars every day?
Some can habitually smoke 5 daily, such as for example Mark Twain (a.k.a., Samuel Clemens).
Therefore, if Mark Twain were to smoke all these cigars and each one lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes (as these do -- some last longer such as the 4 Nub Plus in each pack), he would take 1 year, 3 months and 22 days to smoke them all, and this would total 3,000 hours of cigar smoking time.
KingoftheCove Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,600
Dude, your questions are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
Why?
Because the REAL men here never lose a bid.
Set your Max bid at $1,000 for whatever lot you want.
Go to bed knowing you will win.
It feels great. After a few weeks, people won't even bother bidding against you, and you'll get your lots at great prices.
Your welcome.
btpcm Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
btpcm wrote:

Meanwhile, the same sampler is OPENED UP on Sunday but with a Free Fall price game; no buyers show up until Tuesday when suddenly 6 buy one unit each, then no action for 2 more days! All 6 bought 1 unit 2 days ago (Tuesday). The price falls to under $44.55 before resetting to $66.35. So you should be able to hit the 45 mark, a more sure shot than the $45 "Bid to Win" price (B2W) in the first auction, above, because you could get outbid up there. Ends Saturday evening. Units available = ? -- Max. purchase quant. = 2

With 12 minutes to go, 10 winners currently. That could increase in the last few minutes.

This Falling Price feature is quite fascinating.

In the lot# referred to above, I went to the trouble of taking a statistical small sample of the data.
Here's what I got:
The price starts at $65 +/- 1.48~1.15 and falls to $45 +/- 1.46~1.24.
I didn't find the std. dev. or any other parameters.

The system seems to be using something like a random number seed for deciding what price to start at, what increment to deduct this time, how long to display the lowered price, how much more to deduct for the next lowered price, how long to display that one, and so on, until the bottom price comes up at which time some function with a random number seed (the same r. no. or a different one?) decides what the lowest price will be, or, at least at what moment the falling price is interrupted with the word, "Resetting...", and finally, how much above or below the monument high price the newly reset price will be and precisely when it would be displayed. I say that because some of the prices reset quickly, like 8 seconds, and others more slowly, and some seem to take over 20 seconds to reset. That could have been due to some other factor such as a hesitation in my wifi. See below.

The time duration each price is displayed changes fairly constantly, with an average of 1.3 seconds up to about 8 seconds, while every so often the price appears to stall while the end time countdown timer continues to run. I have had to resort to refreshing the page to get the falling price to resume falling! This apparent stalling is sometimes due to my wifi connection faltering in which case, the countdown timer's continuing to run implies that is something like an applet, or Flash, or borrowed program that is running on my own computer and doesn't need to have an Internet connection for it to keep going, since the timer runs until it reaches zero, then stops automatically. But the Falling Price feature does need the Internet connection to keep going, which explains why it sometimes stalls, like when the wifi stalls.

Several things have to be operational for a viewer to have the ability to make a bid that registers on the Cigar Bid site.

If any one of those things are interrupted, no bid or purchase can take place.

These things include but are not limited to the following:

- Viewer must be a member in good standing and must be signed in to his account.
- Member must have his Internet connection operational.
- If running a laptop on battery power, the battery must not be on the verge of running low on charge.
- Computer must not be overheating because it can *suddenly* shut down when it gets too hot.
- Computer's hard drive or flash drive must be in proper order and not about to crash.
- If running on AC power the grid has to be UP and no interruption of power imminent (which is why battery is better).
- Computer must have sufficient display screen time left, so as not to time out just when you're about to make a bid.
- Website must have sufficient connection time left, so as not to time out just when you're about to enter a bid.
- The lot being bid on must still be open for bids.

There are no doubt other criteria that I haven't thought of.

*Sudden shut down can be resolved by opening the air cooling duct and removing accumulated dust ball that can be found clogging the fan exhaust port, but meanwhile the lot# you hope to bid on could end!!!
btpcm Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
The system seems to prematurely close a lot to bidding when a viewer tries to enter the bidding room when there's less than about 2 minutes left before the lot timer runs out.

Perhaps operators have had complaints that they were right in the middle of placing a bid when the timer ran out and the lot closed unexpectedly.

But if you're all ready logged on, in good standing, wifi going strong, battery charged, all that stuff, you can still place a bid in the final minute before the lot closes.

It's not going to give you any advantage to wait so long on a falling price page, though.
The falling price does not stay lower or remain at a particular low price just because the clock is running out.
IOW you can't "snipe" a falling price lot by waiting 'till the final few seconds.
frankj1 Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
I just buy some cigars when I want them.
RMAN4443 Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 09-29-2016
Posts: 7,683
frankj1 wrote:
I just buy some cigars when I want them.

Sounds like the way to do it....I'm gonna have to give that method a try...Anxious


You are truly like a genius...Herfing
btpcm Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
RMAN4443 wrote:
frankj1 wrote:
Quote:

I just buy some cigars when I want them.



Sounds like the way to do it....I'm gonna have to give that method a try...Anxious


You are truly like a genius...Herfing

I've tried that and it doesn't work for me!

If I wait until I want them before I buy, I end up going to a local cigar shop in a hurry and then I spend way too much on something I didn't really want anyway -- because the cigar I had my heart set on is out of stock right when I want one. But even if it is in stock the price is two or three or even four times higher than here on Cigar Bid. And I've noticed that paying way too much for a cigar means I'm not going to enjoy it very much, and I'm going to spend a lot of time while I smoke it thinking about what's WRONG with it and how much better it would have been if I had waited patiently to get my cigar from a reputable source.

Consequently, I have come to the point where I must anticipate two weeks in advance what cigar I will want -- two weeks into the future.

I'm accustomed to long term planning for things like where to go on a trip or growing crops or earning a college degree. But when it comes to smoking a cigar, having to plan 2 weeks ahead kind of takes the spontaneity out of it.

btpcm Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
KingoftheCove wrote:
Dude, your questions are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
Why?
Because the REAL men here never lose a bid.
Set your Max bid at $1,000 for whatever lot you want.
Go to bed knowing you will win.
It feels great. After a few weeks, people won't even bother bidding against you, and you'll get your lots at great prices.
Your welcome.

Uhh, didn't you mean to say, "You're welcome?"

Perhaps you're bidding for the wrong reason, and that's what you mean by "REAL men."

When I bid it's not because I'm trying to bid "against" someone.
Making someone else get outbid isn't my objective in placing a bid!
It would be great for me if everyone got to have the price he's hoping for.
Why should I be concerned with taking something away from someone else?

If that's what you think it takes to be a "REAL man" then you've got it mixed up with competition.
And if that's what makes you happy going to bed, knowing you'll -- win "against" someone else?
News flash: there are plenty of cigars to go around, and you don't have to take them away from anyone.

I think I'd sleep better knowing that you got your cigars as well as I got mine!

Because there are some "real men" in the world who go to bed without having had a cigar when they want one.
btpcm Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
My only problem with the Falling Price feature is you have no way of seeing what the price was that buyers paid even after the lot closes.
frankj1 Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
meh. just watch the falling price thing a half dozen times and you'll figure out the lowest it goes.
even I figured that out and I have a flip fone.

though it is said I am like a genius.

that said, I haven't bought here in ages.
btpcm Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
frankj1 wrote:
meh. just watch the falling price thing a half dozen times and you'll figure out the lowest it goes.
even I figured that out and I have a flip fone. <-----*

though it is said I am like a genius.

that said, I haven't bought here in ages.

*Hey! How about this: I have 2 flip phones! Angel

Looks like they've changed the software or else you didn't watch long enough.
Now, the bottom price varies every time, so does the "Resetting..." price.
It's like that on all the lots. Go see for yourself.
.
And the number of prices displayed from high to low changes, not always, to keep you off guard.
The time duration that each price is displayed is inconsistent even between two successive sets.
Usually the price shows for 2.8 seconds but sometimes it stays put for over 15 seconds.
Generally, when the price stays put for a longer time the next price is proportionally lower than after faster falling ones.
Then it falls some more, right when you thought it could be done falling.
The lowest price (the one everyone likes to anticipate) can be as much as $8 less than it was for the previous set.
Or it could be about $8 more.
That much of a difference is for the lots that start over $250 and "free fall" to around $130 in $5-$6 increments.
That takes over 30 falls, up to about 40. But the quantity varies from set to set.
.
Watching just one lot, a $40 top price lot could vary, by $1.38 from set to set, for the lowest price.
They treat you right, though, since if you miss the lowest price by being 1/10th of a second late, you get "Resetting..." instead of the high price.
btpcm Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
A lot just ended where one member seems to have been trying to outbid the next guy.
Why would anyone do that?
Prolly wasn't KotC unless he's visiting Ohio from the left coast.

He was so busy worrying that the first bidder might get cigars, that he didn't notice he was passing up the QuickBuy price!

Maybe he was "bidding against someone" instead of just getting a good price for himself.
So his plan seems to have flopped, because the other guy's bid automatically increased each time.
The lot ended up closing with a Bid to Win price of $98.50 when the Winners were at $95.50.
Total of 8 bids, 5 of which were the second bidder's, bidding "against" the other guy -- who wasn't even there, but his higher price kept showing up and the less astute second bidder kept raising his price, effectively bidding against himself!

So if you think you'll get a great price by setting your high stop at $1,000 and going to bed, you could be unpleasantly surprised by a dufus who keeps trying to "outbid" you like this.

There had been two other bidders but their highest limit wasn't quite high enough for this lot, so they got priced out.
What's really funny is, he could have saved himself the grief of bidding if he had used the QuickBuy and had saved $10.50!
Oh, but then the two lower prices wouldn't have been outbid and they would still have gotten their cigars.
We couldn't have THAT, now, could we?

The second bidder, in his attempt to take cigars away from the first bidder, paid 10.50 more than he had to, and that didn't prevent the first bidder from getting his cigars! So it's $10.50 wasted.

Nub 460 Connecticut (Gordo) (4.0"x60) Box of 24
Bid to Win: $98.50 QuickBuy Price: $85.00 Closed

B2W price is $3 more than the Winners' top price, which is the case for prices ending over $45.

STATUS CLOSED
STARTING BID $1.00
UNITS AVAILABLE 2
OPENS Wednesday, July 4, 12:17 PM ET
CLOSES Monday, July 9, 6:20 PM ET
2 Winners ยท 8 Bids Total
BK of East Weymouth, MA
$95.50/ea1 Unit, 4 days ago
VC of Akron, OH
$95.50/ea1 Unit, 8 hours ago
frankj1 Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
btpcm wrote:
*Hey! How about this: I have 2 flip phones! Angel

Looks like they've changed the software or else you didn't watch long enough.
Now, the bottom price varies every time, so does the "Resetting..." price.
It's like that on all the lots. Go see for yourself.
.
And the number of prices displayed from high to low changes, not always, to keep you off guard.
The time duration that each price is displayed is inconsistent even between two successive sets.
Usually the price shows for 2.8 seconds but sometimes it stays put for over 15 seconds.
Generally, when the price stays put for a longer time the next price is proportionally lower than after faster falling ones.
Then it falls some more, right when you thought it could be done falling.
The lowest price (the one everyone likes to anticipate) can be as much as $8 less than it was for the previous set.
Or it could be about $8 more.
That much of a difference is for the lots that start over $250 and "free fall" to around $130 in $5-$6 increments.
That takes over 30 falls, up to about 40. But the quantity varies from set to set.
.
Watching just one lot, a $40 top price lot could vary, by $1.38 from set to set, for the lowest price.
They treat you right, though, since if you miss the lowest price by being 1/10th of a second late, you get "Resetting..." instead of the high price.

it always stopped at different low prices, that's why I said to watch a half dozen times to figure out the lowest...
btpcm Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 07-03-2018
Posts: 74
frankj1 wrote:
it always stopped at different low prices, that's why I said to watch a half dozen times to figure out the lowest...

For 15 minutes
Offhand I don't know anyone willing to watch falling prices for 15 minutes just to figure out which one is the lowest.

That takes dedication.
frankj1 Offline
#45 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,211
btpcm wrote:
For 15 minutes
Offhand I don't know anyone willing to watch falling prices for 15 minutes just to figure out which one is the lowest.

That takes dedication.

well, like I said, I haven't bought in ages.

But if the difference in a five pack or 10 pack is a buck or two or 3, just buy if you want them.
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