esnipe has only miffed ONE snipe for me, not bad.

Auctions on ebay are really just down to the last two bidders, unfortunately one can win or lose by just a bit even if one places a heavy snipe bid, others can play that game too. They just might be feeling more flush than you.

You stated that you had been reviewing ebay often as the shifters have reaely come up, That is the danger sign, when they do, demand often spikes, a few folk might have been looking. A high price does often bring out other sellers who wish to cash in on the high demand, so often the 2nd or 3rd listing of a similar item in a reasonalb etime brings prices down, Sometimes.