How often do you kick yourself for not placing a higher bid...

[Jim VB]

Here's my bidding philosophy:

I factor in everything I can think of, just like Rich.

I bid the maximum amount I am willing to pay for the item and set a snipe.

If I win, no matter how ridiculous the price is, I rationalize that I only paid one bidding increment more than the other guy was willing to pay. (Ignoring the fact that, on that given day, I was willing to pay more than anyone else in the world for that item.)

If I lose, and am the underbidder, I convince myself that the winner obviously overpaid for the item (Obviously! His bid was higher than my "maximum", so he was too high. Right?)

If I lose , and 3-4 people outbid me, then either I really didn't want that card (sure) or, more likely, the whole world has lost their mind for this auction.

I'm not quite at insanity, but it's a short bus ride and I don't need a transfer.