PS4 or PC doesn't make a difference. You're still just pressing buttons whether it's a controller or a mouse/keyboard.

Those "robots" are rarely robots. They're players just like you. They're not reacting to you because they don't want to miss their chance anymore than you want to miss yours. Occasionally there will be someone running an automated scrip but it's not the majority of those trying to purchase.

Agreed that the timer could be shorter. The main purpose of the timer (which was originally a player suggestion for those who forget) was to hinder the resell of plots, which it has done even if it hasn't prevented the practice entirely. Three to six hours would serve that purpose just as much as four to 22 hours does.

Want to be done with awkward purchase systems where your chance to own comes down to RNG? Encourage SE to implement a better instanced housing system. Only an instanced system can guarantee a house to every player that wants one. That's why you never see the players in games with instanced housing complain they can't get one.