Ethics of last minute auction "poaching"

Its the people who bid too early that inflate the price unessarily. Look at the bid histories on just about any auction that is started at a low number. Usually there will be numerous bids at clearly cannot win. If no one bid till the last minute, the final price would be lower and the buyer would get a better deal. I've watched items for days and by the time it is to end the price is so inflated there is no reason to bid. You don't get any points for bidding early unless its a Dutch auction. Wait and watch. You will win some and you will pay less.

Sory about my speling.

Megasam, I disagree with you. As long as the rules of the auction are followed, all is fair. I believe in ethics when buying and selling, but an auction is a form of competition, and there is strategy involved. I think what is unethical is changing a deal once it is made. I have had this happen to me. After I made a deal, the seller backed out and told me he got a better offer. He asked if I would like to match it. I sold cables this week and while I was waiting for the deal to close, got a better offer. I would not back out.

I agree with Blbloom,hard to separate capitalism and strategy.I also have had unusual experience at very end of auction,so i learned to pretty much shine those on.Stay high,keep low,its an interesting time to be in tune.

Bidding at live auctions is an art. Professional buyers, and yes they are skilled, NEVER bid while the general audience is bidding. In effect, the general bidding is part of the auctioneers show. The auctioneer knows the audience will exhaust their bids and then the real buyer steps in to scoop up the item without competition. The same process applies in cyberspace. The fact that Megasams' "poacher" bid within the last 60 seconds indicates that he is in fact an amateur (the poacher). A real pro will time their bid
to within a few seconds of the auction end to prevent the possibility of a counterbid or overbid by a competitor.
Auctioneering 101.