I used to get sniped when I first started EBAYing and it bothered me, but as Archie said - It is an AUCTION. It's not a "be nice and let someone else have the item you want". I now put in my maximum bid and if I win fine - if I don't it is because someone bid or "sniped" higher than what I wanted to pay. In which case "Oh well". Especially if you bid on a number of different items. It is a lot of hassle watching all of them and going back and forth bumping your bids 3 or 4 or 5 times on the same item. I bid once now and if I get outbid - it really doesn't matter if it was on the first day or at the last second. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS STRATEGY HAS SAVED ME ALOT OF MONEY OVER TIME, BECAUSE IT REMOVES THE EMOTIONS FROM THE BIDDING! It is very easy to get caught in bidding wars with an "oh no you don't" attitude and then after you've gone back and forth a number of times - it just becomes a matter of personal principle to beat the other person at all cost! Just my thoughts. Thanks.
DON