How to submit a test snipe from JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper program

Since version 1.9.71, JoyBidder Pro eBay Auction Sniper has implemented a new feature to let user to test the sniping before put it into real use.

In the Bid dialog, user can now set negative lead seconds, for example, -360. This will let the program to automatically submit the bid 360 seconds later.  See screen shot below

When you click the bid button, the confirmation dialog will be shown as below

360 seconds later, the bid is submitted. See screen shot below

Note that the time that are highlighted in red in the item activity log view, the difference is 362 seconds. It is not exactly 360 seconds, as it has the extra overhead of scheduling the bid at the beginning and retrieve the item status and latest price after the bid is submitted. This test indicates the sniping is successful.

You might be asked by product support to run this test, but even if not, it is a good practice to run such a test once a day to make sure there is nothing out of ordinary.

You can find official JoyBidder Test Auction listing in eBay for testing purpose.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/bidd.jo/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=joybidder&_from=R40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=joybidder&_sacat=99

The test auction will be cancelled after it ends and will be re-listed. It will take some time for it appear in the eBay site and search result. So if you don't see them in the above two urls, doesn't mean they are not there. Just need to wait for eBay to finish its indexing process, so that is searchable and listed in the site.

v0.9.9.3 is released. JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Beta available for Free on Google Play Store

Latest version v0.9.9.3 is released!

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Android app is now in beta test

• First 5 snipes are free
• Afterwards, 1 bonus free snipe at a time for beta testers

Participate the beta test and get bonus free snipe

1. Join the JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Community
2. download and install the app to your Andriod smart phone or tablet.
3. Once you have opted-in, you will receive your test version through Google Play.

Or install the apk file of the app outside of Google Play

Not recommended, but if you don't want Opt-in process and knows how to install App outside Google Play, you can download the apk file (v0.9.9.3) here.

Pre-paid snipe credit

20 cents for each auction you won, or subscribe monthly for unlimited snipes. The pre-paid snipe credit never expires and can be used for JoyBidder server sniping service.

JoyBidder Server Sniping Service

Multiple-location server sniping service integrated with JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper software, both Pro and Free edition, giving extra convenience and reliability.

JoyBidder Android App Video Demo

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper App for Android dev version screen shots

Screen shots from JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper App v0.95 for Android.

Add or Import from eBay watch list

item status filter

eBay auction item list

auction item detail, schedule bid or cancel bid. landscape mode

auction item detail, schedule bid or cancel bid. landscape mode

sign in with eBay ID

Snipe eBay auctions using JoyBidder mobile web app

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Mobile Web App is in beta test now.

It can

• snipe eBay auctions
• import items from your eBay watch list
• add items by eBay item number(s)
• refresh item list
• sort and filter item list

It has less features than JoyBidder Pro Desktop and not as fast.

However, it runs on the web browser of your mobile device and doesn't need to be kept running to snipe. It should be useful for many of us.

It is in beta testing now accepting a limited number of testers.  Contact joybidder.support@gmail.com, if you want to participate the free beta trial. Each beta tester gets 5 free server sniping credits to use for testing.

Load http://www.joybidder.com/mobile  in your iPhone/iPad/Android or desktop web browser and give it a try

[update] slow connectivity to our web site

If JoyBidder.com is slow to load since last night, so this is what is happening.

"The connection is broken of at a node in the middle of the network pathway (in between some Internet providers and our data center)".  

The IT guys at our hosting service is working on it. See the screen capture of the announcement from our web site admin console. The server sniping and cloud backup and restore service are still working, although it could be slower and you may need to try one or two more times get the data submitted successfully.

Only a small portion of our users are affected.



Updated May, 5th, 2014
The problem is still not yet resolved. Looks like Comcast users are affected the most.

Introduce JoyBidder Server Sniping Service

What is JoyBidder Sniping Service?

JoyBidder sniping service submits sniping bids from server, so you don’t need to keep JoyBidder Pro running on your own computer to snipe. You need both a valid JoyBidder Pro license and adequate pre-paid snipes to use the service. The service is optional. Don’t buy pre-paid snipes if you don’t plan to use this service. More info on server sniping.

The pricing of the service is following

no bundled installer from download.com anymore!

Due to the size of the installation files, and to make sure the download reliability and speed, the JoyBidder  desktop application installer for both Windows and Mac OS X are hosted by CNET's download.com. So when you click the Download button from joybidder.com home page, you will be re-directed to download.com and download the JoyBidder windows installer stored at download.com. 

However, recently, user has reported that download.com use bundled installer, for example, sweekpack, to trick user to download and install additional software that user doesn't want. And these software usually slows computer down and causing computer to crash.  

 To verify this, I just followed the process and download the installer and it runs the installer just the way I implemented. There is no bundled installer or additional software to be installed.

However, I suspect that download.com might treat different users differently. For me, somehow, it allows me to download the correct/clean installer, and, for other users, they might give them a bundled installer. When you launch the real JoyBidder installer, you should see the JoyBidder installer screen shot attached. If you don't see it, please DON'T install.

Before I sent inquiry to download.com, I did some research on sweetpack. It appears, according to sweetpack's own statement, they do have business arrangement with download.com to provide bundled installer that will download additional software.

However, it is quite a shock and considered a bad business conduct that download.com will do this without software's author's consent or knowledge. 

So I send the following email to download.com to inquire this matter further. If download.com admits this behavior, I will no longer use their service anymore. 

Here is the reply I got

Hello,

Thank you for contacting CNET Upload.com. CNET Installer has been disabled for your products.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Ivan
Customer Service
CNET Upload.com

Well, so they admitted they are doing this without my consent and fortunately they will no longer to this anymore. While I am still using their service in the near future, I will keep an eye on this. JoyBidder users, please let me know immediately, if download doesn't keep their promise and start to use bundled installer again.

And for anyone, not trusting download.com, you have always download from joybidder.com directly. The URL for the latest version is http://www.joybidder.com/download/jb-1.9.17-app-win.exe. Obviously, you need to change the file name for newer versions.

View your license information online

I have to answer  two questions from JoyBidder Pro users quite often.

• Question 1: Why I don't receive registration code email after my purchase?

 The problem is mostly caused by buyer's email server failure and user's email spam filter setting, which is a separate topic I will talk about later.

• Question 2: My computer crashed and I re-install the OS and JoyBidder, but what is my registration code?

To relieve the buyer's frustration from both of these scenarios, registered JoyBidder Pro users can now view the license information online easily, so they don't need to wait for my answer from email.

A View License Information link is added to the JoyBidder Pro eBay Auction Sniper Purchase page, which will alow registered JoyBidder Pro users to view registration code and expiration date of the current license.  PayPal account email address of the latest PayPal transaction is required to retrieve the corresponding license information. Remember, please allow for up-to 1 business day, usually much sooner, for the payment to be processed and license information updated.

Version Update Fails on Mac OS X [fixed]

Some of Mac users cannot upgrade to the latest version. The problem affect both Pro and Free edition. We are aware of the issue and is working on the fix.

At this moment, we are building and testing the Mac installation image for the latest version 1.9.6 for Pro and Free edition. We will make them available as soon as ready.

One workaround is to downgrade to the 1.8.1 and then upgrade.

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Pro 1.8.1 for Mac

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free 1.8.1 for Mac


Sorry for the trouble, but please make sure to upgrade to 1.9.6 as soon as you can. 

JoyBidder Pro for Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (or sort of)

My dear Mac users,  if your JoyBidder, possibly some other your favorite apps suddenly stop working after your recent OS X 10.8.x Mountain Lion upgrade, please read on. If you are planning to upgrade, make sure your favorite apps are compatible with Mountain Lion.

The problem appears to be caused by tightened security measure from the latest Mac OS X 10.8 upgrade. We are currently working on the fix, but, no eta yet, and from the look of it, the fix could take some days or even weeks to get ready), in the mean time, you can still run JoyBidder Pro as a Firefox Addon, that is, if you don't mind install Firefox on your Mac.

Once you have installed Firefox from http://www.mozilla.org, go to http://www.joybidder.com and click the "Firefox Extension" button.

JoyBidder Addon for Firefox works exactly the same as standalone desktop application. However, you need to re-config your eBay User Id and re-populate your item list, because addon and application don't share data.



 

JoyBidder Auction Sniper for Firefox 5

JoyBidder Pro now supports Firefox 5, the first rapid-release version.

The new version 1.7.2 is released the same day as the release of Firefox 5.


If you have problem auto-updating to the new version after upgrading to Firefox 5, please go to JoyBidder Auction Sniper web site or click here to install.

CRITICAL BUG FIX: Update to version 1.6.10 NOW!

1.6.10 was released for Pro and Free. It fixed a critical bug that auction items cannot be added JoyBidder due to changes eBay made during the last weekend. The fix was released within 5 hours when the issue was first reported. Existing users should upgrade to 1.6.10 as soon as possible. If you don't want to wait for the scheduled auto-update alert, you can upgrade manually.

Note: If you are using the Free version for Firefox, due to the Mozilla's rigid review process, the new version will be reviewed by AMO reviewers before it can be made public. (it could take 3 to 5 days).

JoyBidder interviewed by ABC Radio National

I was interviewed by reporter Hagar Cohen from ABC Radio National on JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper software. The interview was on air on Dec. 29, 2010 on Radio National Breakfast program. If you missed the program, here is the link to ABC Radio National web site, where you can either listen online or download MP3 file. Les Howard, one of JoyBidder Pro users, also shared his eBay sniping experience during the interview. Actually, Ms. Cohen also interviewed several other JoyBidder Pro users, however, due the length of the program, only Les's interview was included.

Thanks everybody responded to the interview and happy new year to all JoyBidder users!

eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition 1.6.9 is public on AMO

The following files of JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition 1.6.9 have been made public on Mozilla Addon web site (AMO).

Mozilla Addon editor has tested this update on Max OS X with Firefox.
Firefox user can now install this update and try it out on the latest beta of Firefox 4.

AMO's review process is the most rigid of all software download sites. Not only they will test the software, the editors will also review the source code. I understand why they are doing this to protect Firefox user from malicious software, and I feel good when my software has been reviewed and approved by a fellow programmer. However, this comes with a cost. It just takes time to clear the review queue. It is getting much better now or so they claim, most of the update will be reviewed in 3 days, while new submission takes a little longer. It used to be weeks, what a big improvement considering that!.

3 to 5 days of delay might be okay for most of the Firefox extensions, but doesn't allow me to quickly release fixes in light of random and inevitable eBay changes. That is one of the two reasons that I choose to host the Pro edition eBay sniper Firefox extension on www.joybidder.com, so I can release updates whenever I see fit. If you are interested in knowing the other reason for self-hosting, read it on.

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Pro for Mac OS X

Ever since the release of Free version for Mac, I have been asked by quite a few Mac users about the status of Pro version. And I kept telling them that it is being worked on and will be ready soon. Some even paid the registration fee which I have to refund. The point of shareware is that, you try the software first,if you like it, purchase it, otherwise, delete, remove or uninstall. Although I was really encouraged by the eagerness of Mac users that want to use the Pro version, I was dismayed when I found out that I lose money every time when issuing refund through PayPal.

The Pro version for Mac starts from version 1.6.4. It has lots of changes and bug fixes over the previous version, see release note for more detail. You can go to www.joybidder.com to download the dmg file.

Here is a screen capture with JoyBidder icon sitting nicely in the dock. Enjoy while waiting for the download to complete.

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition for Mac is released for public

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition for Mac is released to public. The release build has fixed several bugs. If you are currently using the beta version, please go to JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition page to download the latest build.

You can also download from www.macupdate.com or www.versiontracker.com

Mac OS X: JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition Beta Release

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition for Mac is released for beta test. Mac OS users, who don't use Firefox browser, can now snipe eBay auction for free.

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition is a desktop software to monitor and snipe eBay auctions. Support instant & snipe bid on 22 eBay sites with multiple eBay ID. Track item status and price with visual/audio alert. View essential information including shipping, location, seller, item activity log and photo. Extensive configurable options. Although easy and free to use, ideal for casual eBay buyers, it doesn't have the advanced features of Pro Edition

JoyBidder is officially Powered by Mozilla

Mozilla.org has recently approved JoyBidder.com the use of Powered by Mozilla logo for JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper. The site is also listed in Mozilla web site.

The logo is available for individuals and organizations that use parts of the Mozilla code-base in their application or product. JoyBidder uses Gecko and XULRunner, which are the core Mozilla technology that Firefox Web Browser is also built upon.

Because the use of Mozilla technology, not only JoyBidder can run on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux (The standalone desktop version for Mac OS X and Linux are currently being developed), but also JoyBidder can employs the same features as you would find in Firefox, such as version update mechanism, secure login manager, Growl notification on Mac OS X and more.

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition is now Public at AMO

JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition is now Public at AMO. This is quoted text from the email AMO sent to last Friday.

Congratulations! Your nominated add-on, JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition, has been reviewed by a Mozilla Add-ons editor who approved your add-on to be public.

Since last year, I have been revising the Pro Edition to meet AMO guidelines, so that it can be approved to be public. I even disabled auto version update alert, since extension cannot do that if it is not approved public by AMO. Today, lots of users are still using 1.4.6 because they are not aware there is new version available. I was hoping once the Pro Edition is approved public, the auto update issue will be resolved. However, in the end, I was notified that because Pro Edition is a shareware, AMO will not approve it. This is a quite shock. It might be more helpful if I was informed of this a year earlier during the first review. Now with all my efforts, it hits a hard wall.

At the time, I almost want to give up, since the newly released Windows desktop version is doing well, and I am planning to work on Mac desktop version. During the same time, browser market is not looking good for Firefox. IE8 is bundle with Window 7 holds steady. Chrome is gain popular every day. More people are buying Mac with Safari as the default browser. Inside Mozilla, there is uncertainty among addon developer community as the development of Gecko 2 and JetPack.

After much debate, I finally decide to build a free version, this is how JoyBidder eBay Auction Sniper Free Edition comes into being. I consequently rename the shareware version as the Pro Edition.
Now the Free Edition is approved public, I feel I finally got a closure and will move on to other things I want to do with JoyBidder.

Here are some of them in the near term:
1. host Pro Edition on my own server, so that it can provide version update alert
2. release Desktop application for Mac

JoyBidder Free Edition is released

The Free Edition has a much simpler user interface and only support sniping one auction at a time. Because its simplicity and free of charge, it is ideal for casual eBay buyers who usually don't snipe multiple items during the same time. Click here for more Free vs Pro feature comparison.

The most obvious reason of releasing the Free Edition is to promote the Pro Edition and www.joybidder.com web site. However, I have another reason of my own.

Most of my registered users are savvy eBay buyers and some of them are eBay sellers who makes a living by buying/selling on eBay. They understand how a good auction search/tracking/sniping software can save their time and money. Since they make money on eBay, the small amount of registration fee is never their concern. In fact, lots of my users have told me that I have priced JoyBidder way too cheap. But for casual eBay buyer who buy from eBay occasionally and only snipe one item at time, they will very unlikely use many advanced features or buy the software. The more advanced features I added to JoyBidder, the more I tailor to savvy eBay users and the further I alienate from the casual users. There has to be a simpler product for those casual users.

Compare to Pro Edition, this is much simpler, isn't it?