"RobertL" wrote in message
...

On Saturday, January 12, 2013 9:38:04 AM UTC, Mike Barnes wrote:
Jim K :

"There is a vague connection (but no more than that) in that if you bid
*very* late there's no time to up your bid. "

But that is a very important distinction. If you bid very late then you
really do bid your maximum because the seller cannot shill bid you (he knows
there is no time for you to revise it). If you bid earlier the seller can
shill bid you and raise you up to just beyond your maximum knowing that you
have time to add just one more increment.

Far be it from me to add anything but I got caught on this a couple of years
ago. I stopped bidding and then started putting in late bids. Late
bidding does stop this but it also means you have to be around ( snipes
don't always work)

Something I came across recently ( buying a gift for mum - only place I
could get it) was being bid up on the item ( including being sniped in
the last three minutes!) Only then to be sent an e mail telling me the
highest bidder had pulled out and I could have the item for my previous
highest bid.

I am damn sure it was a scam by the seller to get my highest bid price
( and having calculated over it) ended up giving me a " second chance"

Ebay is not honest. Use it if you have to but be aware they do all sorts on
there and get away with it.