Hi Emu.
Yes, they can be disappointing things, Ebay auctions that is.
I would be happy if the headers finished for what they are now, so I will give you a tip (secret, so don't tell anyone
).
What you need to do, is seriously think about your VERY top dollar. Forget about what you think you should pay, think about how much you want the item. Add in the time & costs associated with trying to track the part down through other sources (Driving to wreckers, time involved, phone calls etc.) then say, bugger it, I will bid this much.
Then, it is just like playing Poker. NEVER show your hand too early. If you do, the competition has a chance to think about their top dollar & place the bid.
You have to leave it to the last 60 seconds.
Then bang, put one bid on, your top dollar. Then sit back & see. If you miss out, then that is OK, as you went to your limit & didn't want to go over. On the other hand, you may find that you get it for a fair bit less that you expected.
But remeber, just because the auction only has 60 seconds to go & the item is only at $100, in that last 60 seconds, it can go through the roof. Check out the heater. $108 for about 2 days, then in the last couple of minutes, it hits $325. Don't make the mistake of thinking the item isn't going to go as high as you thought & placing a lower bid, if it is a rare item that usually sells for a good price elsewhere, it will on Ebay, do not doubt it!
Have a look at a few big dollar auctions & see when the last bids were placed. You will no doubt find that most were placed 60 or even 30 seconds before the auction ended.
I do it & do not mind if people do it on my auctions. People call it "Sniping". I assume that is derogatory, but hey, the "Sniper" always gets his target.
I very rarely miss out on an item that I really want, as I just pay the price to get the item. It hurts, but hey, I get it.
Goodluck in future.
Rob J
