Originally Posted by
Ritz
I am a long time eBay Power Seller (and buyer), and the best advice I can give you is:
1 - Bid at around the 30 second remaining mark. I know that sounds like you're cutting it close, but that gives you the best possible advantage. Also, make sure your connection is fast (cable or DSL) for that time, because if its too slow, the server wont get your bid in time.
As an off-and-on PowerSeller, I'd disagree with this, if only because 30 seconds gives plenty of time for other people to come in and snipe your bid. If your object is to get the last bid in, then 10 seconds is probably closer to where you want to be.
That being said, if you know the true maximum amount you're willing to spend, all you need to do is bid that amount once. There is no need then to wait until the last minute -- you'll either get the item at or below that maximum amount, or you won't. Getting into this "as cheaply as possible" frenzy causes people to bid multiple times and possibly pay more than they want or need to. Remember one thing: It's not the last bid that wins on eBay. It's the highest bid.
I have no problem with proxy software -- I don't use it, though, because I see no need to do so.
Mike