So you're in favor of a system that forces every interested party to be at their computer as the auction comes to a close? How successful do you think that would be in a 24/7 global market? Will you still bid if the auction ends (or extends) at 3AM? There are very few unique items listed on eBay. If you do a bit of research, you can get an idea of what an item will sell for, and then you can decide how much you're willing to pay. Once you've done that, place your proxy bid and walk away. Bill Stephenson <photographica@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Ray - Ever since I became aware of eBay, I've wished that they'd to to what you describe as the "Japanese system". Let's have a REAL auction - one that doesn't end until no one will raise the bid. I'm a regular brick-and-mortar auction-goer, and I know that my bid isn't the winning one until the auctioneer pauses, looks around the room one last time, and then says "SOLD". That's the way it should be - honest competition down to the last bid. If eBay were to set itself up so that an auction had a "target time" at which it would end - but only after a two-minute period of inactivity. Then we could all take part in a real "auction", not a "timed sale" (or something - I don't really know what to call an eBay sale). Until and unless they do this, well...I'll just keep on using eBay as it is! -Bill --------------------------------- Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.