As a buyer, I've lost two auctions to people buying the bikes I had bid on at the last minute over the past few months. The first time, the guy was a deadbeat, and the seller didn't give me a second chance offer (I would have taken it). The bike was relisted and sold for $20 more than the previous auction. That isn't that much. I think the seller would probably have preferred to have the money.

The second time I got outbid at the last minute, I contacted the seller immediately and told him that I was outbid near the end and willing to pay (either my bid, the winner's bid or 2.50 more than the winner's bid ... I can't remember). I think the seller was pleased with this because he knew the bike was sold. The original winner picked up this bike the next day, so I didn't get it.

Any way you slice it, it's up to you. There's some stuff I bid on that I wonder why I bid, and I'm grateful that someone swoops in and takes my lead in an auction.

While I'm not familiar with eBay's policies, you might offer to take the conversation off eBay so that the seller does not have to pay the eBay fees, so that you can get it at a better price. (I'm not sure if this works, however.)

EDIT: Post the link to the ended auction if you would like feedback on the bidding.

Good luck.......