Well, all I do is wait untill the last 30seconds, then input the maximum I will pay for it, plus a couple pennies - for example, if the item is currently at £43 but I al willing to pay upto £65, I'll put in £65.33 or something.

1) if someone does try and outbit and puts in £65, I'll take presidence and win it for the sake of 33p.

2) if don't matter how quick you are, if someone is willing to pay more for it, then you won't win it. Thats my theory on it, so I just stick in the maximum I am willing to pay. Ebay will always proxy bid for you, so it doesn't jump up to the price you put in if the current price is lower. So I don't bother doing multiple bids. Stick in my max in the last 30secs, and then I know even if it goes over my max, I won't be able to bid anymore anyway, as I have reached the limit I am willing to pay. If someone outbids me, then it don't matter.....