OK. This has happened to me the last 4 or 5 times I've gone after an International FA. Could this really just be coincidence?

I have the top bid on an international FA for several days and then I get an email saying that he signed elsewhere—I don't get a chance to raise my offer or anything. It's just over. He's gone.

Am I the only one who doesn't know some trick? Like, have some of you figured out exactly how many days it takes for a IFA to sign and you just submit a bid on the last cycle so nobody can top it? Do IFA's not want to sign with losers (but if that's the case, why was I #1 for so long?)?

I would appreciate any input on this because I'm getting quite angry and I might pull my head off if I don't get a reasonable explanation.

Thanks.

Start pulling, you are just the victim of bad luck.

I've had that happen to me before, but only once. I think I was ahead for two RL days, then the guy signed at 2:30am after someone upped the bid just before then. The explaination I got from the forums was that each player has a predetermined cycle (random) in which he signs.

I was the leader on an IFA for 2 days, I knew he was close to signing and I didn't want to be outbid and miss a chance to up my bid, so I increased my offer by $3 Mil, he immediately signed next cycle.

I think it drags out longer if someone is close to your bid, up it by a few mil next time so you dont miss out on the signing him

The randomness of when the guy signs encourages you to be serious with your bidding.  At some point, not immediately, but not too far into the process, if you really want the guy you should be at the max amount you are willing to pay.  If you lose a bid where the guy signs at less than you are willing to pay, and have not bid the most you are willing, that's not luck, that's on you.

Posted by silentpadna on 4/15/2011 8:29:00 AM (view original):
The randomness of when the guy signs encourages you to be serious with your bidding.  At some point, not immediately, but not too far into the process, if you really want the guy you should be at the max amount you are willing to pay.  If you lose a bid where the guy signs at less than you are willing to pay, and have not bid the most you are willing, that's not luck, that's on you.

Well said Panda. I will heed this advice in the future.

It's still very fishy to me, though. I mean, it's happened to me so many times, I predicted that I would lose this guy in this fashion. I cry conspiracy!

I cry.

i've had more success going all in at the beginning. i believe in the psychological advantage of other owners feeling like they were never close. once they know they're in the game, i believe, they're more likely to spend more than if the top bid remains a lofty mystery.