I win almost all of the eBay auctions that I bid on (within the last 5 seconds too), and usually I'm not even AT the computer! My "secret weapon" is the same that I'm sure many others use... but I'll spill the beans. There is a nominal fee for some auctions, but it'* worth every penny:

www.esnipe.com

Y'know, they really ought to implement a sniper rule. Any bids made within the last ten minutes extends the auction ten more minutes from the bid.

If you start buying from ebay I would recommend using a site called esnipe. It will automatic start bidding on your items seconds before it is over. You get two eeks for free! I got a few things dirt cheap. I picked a new set of Iroc 18inch wheels that were chromed for less then $800 brand new. Just type esnipe.com. I would definately recommend it.

i dont cheat, i just usually buy stuff thats not a high demand. i also search for misspellings, do you know how many cant spell pioneer (piooneer, pionner, pionneer).

ill put my highest bid in there, and thats all i will go, cuz i know how addicted it can get

i bought my car with buy it now

jim, my camera is only a 2mp so you will be fine for just online stuff, no printing though.

Jimbo, every pic and video you've ever seen from me came from that EXACT camera. That'* what I have.

KICK ***

see, I don't cheat like some of you . I just sit with bid typed in and mouse waiting over the bid key...works most every time...but it wears out the refresh button.

Wait until you get beat enough or end up in bidding wars and end up paying more than you actually wanted to. I use to do it your way but too many times would get beaten at the last final moments. If it is something I really, really want I will esnipe it. otherwise I just put in a bid for the highest amount I am willing to pay if it is something I couldn't care one way or another about.

<--- doesnt Ebay enough to worry, but ensipe is coo

I do it my way because I think that'* what makes it fun. I enjoy the competition factor of just simply beating someone else out because I was quicker and had a strategy. I've lost items before that I really really want, and I buy very in demand type items, but there'* never anything I need. And I figure, worse comes to worse, I can buy it locally for retail. For me, the minute Ebay isn't fun anymore, is when I take a break and leave it alone...there'* really nothing I need that badly.