Doug said:
"What is the difference between making a bid with 5 seconds left or 5 days? The only difference is that I have more of a chance of being outbid if I bid with 5 days left because of those who keep changing thier mind about what thier top bid actually is. "

I think it is pretty easy to see that this hurts the seller - if it didn't Doug would bid with 5 days to go. I don't mind Doug being a sniper - he is right that no bidder should be whining about losing if they didn't bid their max. But as a seller - I sure want to let, as Doug said, "...those who keep changing thier mind about what thier top bid actually is." get a chance to do so. I do not think eBay will ever change their methods - you don't fool with what works.
Sniping is clearly a good thing for buyers - otherwise they wouldn't be plunking down good money for a program to help them do it better.

Bottom line - good for Buyers, bad for sellers!!!!

Chas