[GregoryFul]

A few years ago I used to bid on collectible coins on E-Bay. Because I seemed to be loosing a lot on sharp bids, I made a study of bids I won and lost, I lost many good bids on desirable coins, even winning bids put in scant seconds before closing, and often to bidders on a short common list. I stopped my e-bay bidding. I tried to correlate the bidders with sellers, but did not find such. I cannot prove anything, but I became very suspicious.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

You know, sniping auctions used to be the only way I would bid. I was very good at putting a bid in the last minute, sometimes last half minute. Philosophy is bidding early just runs the price up.

[KeepUSfree]

Anybody who doesn't "snipe" - wait until the last second - on Ebay is a fool. Unless you will not have computer access at closing time, you wait unti 3-5 seconds before closing, then bid your maximum amount. You will either get it - or you won't - if some other sniper outbid you.

I am both a buyer and seller on Ebay.

I have never had any trouble getting ripped off. My biggest problems have been with idiot, non-professional sellers who don't know you can't pack 8 glass plates in a box with 2 pieces of newspaper for "padding" and ship them and expect them to arrive in one piece.

Other than that, snipe away.....