"Tom Adams" wrote:
>
> (the subject is auto extension of the end of an auction)
>
> (snip)...Morally or philosophically, I suppose it's a good idea because who wins an auction shouldn't depend on who has the fastest modem...(snip)
This is incorrect Tom. The winner isn't decided by bidding at the last possible moment. This just masks from others the maximum amount you are willing to pay. You still must bid with the maximum amount you are willing to pay to win.
I don't have a fast modem and have no problem placing a bid with between 5 to 15 seconds of the end of the auction with the help of a $49 Radio Shack atomic clock.
There is actually no point in placing a bid before the last 20 seconds of an auction except to let your friends know that you're bidding on something or to let the guy tracking the things you're bidding know, so he can jump in on the bidding ;)
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, Southern California