I always bid very low, leave it to Ebay, and usually don't get the item. Occasionally I do and it's a bargain.

One time I really wanted something and put in the highest bid thirty minutes before the end of the auction. I kept checking back to make sure I wasn't outbid and was shown as winning right up to the end of the auction. Somehow it went to somebody else at a higher bid, but still much less than I was willing to pay.

Emails to Ebay about the situation went unanswered.