Pretty good post. Lots of points to ponder.

First I am not convinced that the 5 minute system is the right thing. I don't know that much of it but it just doesn't sit right with me. Maybe in time I might get it more.

As for the sniping I don't see it as NECESSARILY driving prices down. Grant it there are some who will do it in the end and get great deals but they are bidding on items that have few or no bids in the first place. That indicates that there isn't a lot of interest in an item to start. Thus, for some reason the item would otherwise sold for a low open or not sold at all. If there is a standing bid, and it is an honest and serious bid, than the snipped bid will be driven up to almost a normal level anyways.

When I snipe it is because of a fear of an IRRATIONAL bidding war, or a reconsideration of how bad I really want an item. I will often place a good serious bid where I am holding back a little for a rebid. I will, at least, place a good faith bid for something I really want, just in case I can't be there when the auction ends. I have been burned many times watching items to see where they go then finding out that I missed the end of the auction and never got my bid in. Anyways, I try to make a rational and fair bid to begin with. After loosing often by incremental bidders who, maybe shills, or otherwise who will bid up, chipping away my bid to either burn me or beat me, I reserve the option to go in at the end and bid again. If I bid earlier I can be bid against again, and again... I feel that I get fair prices on what I bid and the seller is, usually, doing OK in the end. That is not to say that there aren't some who are getting a raw deal.

This brings up another issue. Sellers who will put a rediculously low open bid on an item. One that they either think will attract bidders or one that is designed to avoid listing fees. If their chip goes for less than they would like, I feel that is their own fault. I am not a seller but if I were, I would at least start my auctions at a price that I would be satisfied selling the item at. That, from a business sense, should be at least your costs plus a modest profit. Then let the bidding take it the rest of the way. At least you don't get burned by low or no bids.

As for shipping, I think it is a big problem that is getting worse. Like some of the items mentioned above they are quirks with the eBay system that some find they can exploit. Listing low to save Listing fees, putting your profit into your S/H so you don't have to pay commissions. Bidding at the last minute to avoid bidding wars. Some may be a little more legitimate than others.

Ebay needs to come to the understanding that a lot of this hurts them also. Especially the shipping situation. Like someone mentioned in a another thread in the last week or so, eBay will not do anything about customers getting ripped off on shipping. As long as it is listed accurately in the ad that is the buyers problem. However if they were to be addressed with the reality that people like myself are not going to BID as much on the auction because I am factoring in that expense, and I am getting my fair deal, and the seller is getting their fair profit, but eBay is NOT getting their commission because profit is in shipping not in the bid, maybe they will wake up. It almost seems that some of the sellers on eBay are not in the business of selling murchandise or collectables, they are in the business of selling shipping and insurance.