[Amps] Blowing off steam

[w9ge]

John W0UN has nailed this one.  The "proxy bid" of e-bay allows you the 
bidder to only need to bid once, using your maximum price.  .  If no one 
else bids, then you get the item for lowest possible bid price (not your 
maximum!).  As others bid, your minimum goes up to insure you are still the 
high bidder, until your maximum is reached.  If someone wants to  outpay 
you, you keep your money, or you can change your mind and increase your 
maximum bid amount while the clock is running. Bids are incremented upward 
by the amount stated, ie $1.00, $10.00 etc.  Reserves etc. do change the 
rules somewhat, but they are not difficult to understand.

If you really really want something, then put a bid in with the HIGHEST 
amount you are willing to pay.  Many folks will bid with less than a minute 
to go on the clock, just so they have a better chance of getting the item. 
Of course they must be willing to bid higher than your HIGHEST bid to do 
this.  It is a guessing game of sorts.  If they guess right and go above 
your maximum, then your maximum just was not good enough.

It happened to me recently on an Alpha 77...I put in my highest bid several 
days before auction end.  I was "high bidder" throughout as price went up 
incrementally, and then with less than ten seconds to go I was beat out by 
someone else....he paid more than my highest bid.  He got a good deal.  I 
was not unhappy because I had decided what it was worth to me, and no more. 
I would like to know how high he was willing to go, but that is what is fun 
about auctions.  You never really know.  Result is I am still looking for a 
good Alpha 77.

Keep your eyes open as I am considering putting my Collins 204 H-1 up for 
auction.  0.1 watt in for 4 kw out, autotune to boot.  A real monster.

 73 bob de w9ge