Ebay - always pipped at the post

[deano.1]

I don't use any software but i always put the highest price i'm prepared to pay in a few seconds before the end of the auction, in my view it saves me hicking the price up and i get a buzz from it lol

[Matt Seabrook]

I don't use any software but i always put the highest price i'm prepared to pay in a few seconds before the end of the auction, in my view it saves me hicking the price up

[Jed]

I tend to agree with Coxy now.   Used to snipe but find now that so many are doing it and putting in high/realistic bids that the price rockets in the last minute.   Put a realistic bid (ie. the max you would want to pay) in early and if the price goes up sooner that tends to put people off.  

Also, if there are several items of the same type and one has a higher start price, that item seems to attract less attention and can often be won on the start bid.