Quote Originally Posted by PhilipK View Post
There is never[*] any point in placing a bid on an eBay item before the final seconds of that auction - otherwise you give other people (whether the seller themself - where it's called shill bidding, and is illegal - or another user) an opportunity to decide to outbid you.

The three basic rules for placing a bid on eBay are:
  1. Bid once, and once only, on any auction
  2. Bid the maximum you would be happy to pay
  3. Bid as late as possible


[*] If you understand the concept of BIN Stomping, then you know enough to devise your own bidding strategy.
I don't know what BIN Stomping is, but otherwise, totally agree. I assume sniping apps are in use, so assume I will only get the chance to bid once, doing it within the last 10 secs. I also often bid MORE than I would be happy to pay, taking a wild guess at a limit that the competition would NOT be happy to pay. More often (a lot more) than not, I end up paying what I am happy to pay, or less.