Just a few more points to the snipe bidding idea. TSince the bid isn't put in on the auction, the idea is that you have made a bid with the snipe program and walk away. The high auction bid remains with the other bidder until the last moments.

The best case for the snipe bidder is that the other bidder hasnt put in anythiung more then the bid thats showing and that because your bid won't go in until the final moments, he wont have time to react and out bid you.

Or, if he has placed a proxy bid, and yours is higher, he won't have time to react and decide to bid even higher.

I have been sniped a few times. I dont mind losing an auction. Not at all. What gets me is when i watch the auctions that Ive bid on and im the high bidder....each time I check it. I start to get excited. Right until the end..i think wow...cool im gonna get this chip at a good price. Then i look and ...what the hell??? wait a second..what happened here!! I lost the bid in the final 3 seconds. Its the disappointment of thinking you had it. Thinking even after the auction ended that I had it. Then the let down.