Pete Sander's post is very helpful. There are a number of last minute (or even last second) snipers and there is software that enables one to bid at the end automatically. So Pete's suggestion to bid late and at the amount you are willing to pay is a valuable one.

I have no problem when friends (read "former" ) bid against me. The one thing I sort of resent is when a known dealer outbids me for multiple chips and then later offers to sell me one of them for substantially more than he paid.

When there are multiple chips, I often go in with one or more others so that one person bids for all of us. And if that's against eBay's rule, they can do you know what with them.

Pete's comment about knowing your dealer is a very good one. Make sure you read his feedback if you don't know the person.

Bid high and often & stay off the chips I am after