I snipe every auction. No exceptions. And everyone who knows my eBay handle knows this. Lately, I've taken to placing an early, low bid to tip off those friends that I'll be back exactly 6 seconds before the auction close, and I'll be packin' heat.
There is a small group of folks I will consult with prior to bidding on certain items, to guage relative levels of interest. I won't waste my time bidding on something someone else just
has to have. This isn't false collegiality, it's good business, in my opinion.