Originally Posted by CBBaron
I don't get this ranting. When I am shopping ebay and I see an item I might want I put in a bid for the maximum amount I would pay for the item. If no one else is willing to pay more I win the item, if someone thinks it is worth more then they win it. Early bidders do often win and most of my best deals have been on items I bid 4-5 days before the end. I don't have the time or desire to try to get an item with a last second steal. If your last second bid won the item then you paid more than I was willing to.
As for a den of thieves I think you have to be careful about who you deal with but many of the sellers are either LBSs getting rid of old inventory or entrepreneurs retailing through Ebay.
Craig
After a few newbie ebay experiences and learning about snipers and auction fever...my approach is a lot like CBBaron.
First I have to know what the price would be from peformance/nashbar etc.
Second I figure the max I am willing to pay. I check out shipping closely.
Third I bid, once with my max amount.
then I am patient I either win or I don't.
I have gotten some really good finds for a project I am working on and some good to very good deals.
Sellers have been good, one worked with me on a bidding error I made (I was going meet my commitment, even though the item was not going to work)
I have had only one negative issue and that was with a seller who didn't want to accept a bid when I had not rating (I have a whole 7 feedbacks now
)
ymmv