Sometimes you can find some hard-to-find items on eBay, like camera equipment that is out of production, and get a good deal on it. But there are too many times that auctions mysteriously get bid up. Last year I bid on a laptop that had been listed for five days with no bids. Within a few minutes after I submitted my bid, which was for more than the minimum bid, I was notifed that I'd been outbid. I bid on three other laptops, where in each case I was the first bidder and the auction was a few days old. I was almost immediately outbid on all three of them.
And I have seen items that I was outbid on and lost almost immediatley relisted by the seller. On more than one occasion I have reported a seller to eBay for this but as far as I know no action was ever taken.
I used to know people who spent all day bidding on eBay and if they got outbid they'd bid again and end up paying more than retail for it but they got the 'fun' of being the winning bidder. Nobody cares about the 'fun' part anymore.
All I can say is if you do bid on eBay, figure out what your maximum bid will be BEFORE you bid, and if you get outbid, don't jack up your bid just so you can win. Chances are the same item will be available again in a few days if not immediately.
And I have seen items that I was outbid on and lost almost immediatley relisted by the seller. On more than one occasion I have reported a seller to eBay for this but as far as I know no action was ever taken.
I used to know people who spent all day bidding on eBay and if they got outbid they'd bid again and end up paying more than retail for it but they got the 'fun' of being the winning bidder. Nobody cares about the 'fun' part anymore.
All I can say is if you do bid on eBay, figure out what your maximum bid will be BEFORE you bid, and if you get outbid, don't jack up your bid just so you can win. Chances are the same item will be available again in a few days if not immediately.