I've been an eBay member since the beginning of time. As a matter of fact I never had to give them a credit card number. They just bill me. I can't tell you how many auctions I lost in the last few seconds of bidding. It can be very discouraging.

I guess people with a lot of time on their hands just wait it out and put their final bid in during the last few seconds. This keeps the bid down, in most cases, and allows them to out bid a competitor who may be sleeping at the time.

I guess the lesson to be learned from eBay is to put in the highest bid you are willing to pay for something and let it ride. That way you will either win the object in the last few seconds or see it sold for a price you weren't willing to pay.

Bob