Here's the best way to bid on eBay.  If you see an item you like when
you place your bid notice it asks for the maximum you would be willing
to pay for the item.  I just bought the 1927 400+ page Duo-Art roll
catalog.  When I started bidding it was at 35.00 and the bid increments
were I think 1.00.  Instead of bidding 36.00 and "watching" just put in
the most you are willing to pay and see what happens.  Here is the
explanation as given by eBay.

  Proxy bidding for all bids

  Please bid the maximum amount you are willing to pay for this item.
  Your maximum amount will be kept secret; eBay will bid on your
  behalf as necessary by increasing your bid by the current bid
  increment up until your maximum is reached.  This saves you the
  trouble of having to keep track of the auction as it proceeds and
  prevents you from being outbid at the last minute unless your
  spending limit is exceeded.  (See an example of proxy bidding).
  Also, in case of a tie for high bidder, earlier bids take
  precedence.  And, keep in mind that you cannot reduce your maximum
  bid at a later date.

The best thing about this type of bidding is it keeps me from getting
into a bidding frenzy which usually leads to paying too much for an
item.  Now I simply just put in the most I'm willing to pay and if
I get it okay and if not okay.  No more sitting around waiting to get
outbid.

Sam Harris - Greenville, North Carolina - sam@greenvillenc.com
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/9374