I don't know if this is true. Just today I was bidding on an ebay item which had slowly creeped up from $100 to $175 over the last 2 hours. (typical). It was obvious that bidders had put in max bids of $125, $150 and $175. About 58 seconds before end, I clicked to bid $200 (which I indeed thought it was worth) and after a little hesitation (probably due to my connection speed) was told I needed to bid $202.50 minimum. Gave it 2 seconds thought and typed in 202.50, but was given a message bidding had ended at $200. In retrospect, I should have done what I usually do, and bid a couple bucks more than my "limit" (meaning, still the same limit, but avoiding ties).

But my point is, why did't the bidding stay open for a few moments since it was obvious I was trying to bid?

I feel a little bad about losing it because it went for my personal limit, which I thought was a really good price. On the other hand, there will be more opportunities ... but at some point the time wasted looking to save $50 isn't worth that time, if you know what I mean.

I use ebay not necessarily to get a "steal" but rather a fair pice for used (and therefore discounted) equipment I just can't get locally. For instance I bought a bike last year. It was not a real bargain, but was a fair price and there is no way to find 2-3 year old mid-high end bikes in my size locally (54 cm Cannondale w/ ultegra+dura ace). I'm happy, but some locals think I over paid by $1-200. I say: show me a bike for that price, similar quality, that was sold locally last spring. They can't. They can show me new bikes selling for $500-700 more though!