Well... I learned a few lessons...
1. Bid what you're willing to pay. (Like a lot of people, I was lured into a "get the best deal possible" and pray you actually get that deal.)

2. I'd prefer NOT to become a hardcore sniper... but NEXT TIME I am willing to get up at 4 am and hit refresh for an hour to insure high bidding status... maybe that'd be a good time to use alternative options to protect the bid... especially when it's something I really want -- and I have bid what I was willing to pay (vs. what it would have been nice to get the chip for... and lose it in the last 2 seconds by 50 cents...)