Ebay is a funny thing. I think there are two basic premises/approaches to it and operating under one premise renders comments/strategies about the other approach virtually useless.

The first approach is getting something for cheaper than it is worth. The second is getting something at a fair value price.

The first approach gets into all sorts of strategies about sniping, etc. The second is bid what you think the thing is worth and forget about it.

Both are equally valid positions, but imply a whole different set of behaviors by the bidder. So the first thing to be clear about in buying on Ebay is under which of these philosophies one is operating. If you are looking for an item at your reasonable cost, Ebay is the model of simplicity - put your bid in and forget about it. If you are looking for an undermarket steal, Ebay is like everywhere else - you have to put in lots of time/thought/research/strategy to make a score.