I mentioned the "game" aspect of the eBay auction process before. Lets say a little more about that.

Some people look at the auction as a game, not as an auction. It doesn't seem to matter what the items is really worth, they will do anything to "win" the game. Even if you bid more than the items is worth, they will still outbid you. There is not much you can do - just wait until someone else auctions off another of the items that you want and bid on that.

However, there is a way to sometimes avoid the gamers - Don't bid until the end of the auction. The best way to do this is to use a site like Auction Raptor to enter your bid as late as possible in the auction for you. This is especially convenient if the auction ends when you are at work or asleep and can't be on line. Just make your bid and forget it! Auction Raptor enters your bid in the last few seconds of the auction (something difficult if not impossible for you to do manually), too late for the rabid gamers to find out your bid, then bid a penny more to "win" the "game."

Of course, if someone else has a bid higher than yours they still win the auction - but at least they did it legitimately.

Auction Raptor charges a $4.95 per month fee to bid for you, but it is worth it. You can try them for a month for free.

One more caution involves reading the seller's description of the merchandise.