If you place your maximum bid at any time whatsoever you will either win the item or get outbid by an amount you weren't willing to pay anyway

I read the paper. Ive done the stats before. IMO its all b/s. If everyone placed their maximum bid they could do so at any time they chose and the end result would always be the same.

I know many will dispute that so I will show both sides of the argument.

In your theory, whoever outbids your early bid would also have outbid you had you both bid at the end, assuming maximum bids.

However, I would argue that with a bid of substance showing on the auction early on that could well put anyone else off from bidding either early or at the end.

Just my opinion (hiding under the desk)