andygates

I've just lost the third auction in a row for a relatively high-value collectible item; in each case the sale ended in a last-minute bidding war between two bidders.  First one I lost, I was foolish enough to leave the auction alone for the last ten minutes.  Second, I and the other bidder both sniped at one minute, at the same amount, but he beat me by three seconds.  Tonight, I fat-fingered the keyboard with twenty seconds to go and while I was reading the "huh? doofus" message, the clock ticked out from under me.

Is there a good technique for winning this sort of auction?  Maybe put a high-value snipe in place using AuctionSniper, just in case it gets squirrely in the final moments?  I'm loath to just put a high bid in as these items have arbitrary value: they're worth what people will pay.  In tonight's auction the item went up £220, 30%, in the last half hour.

Your wisdom will earn beer if I get lucky.  Honest.