Mr. Daryl,thanks for your kind reply. Mostly you are correct.However Ebay is just like a "real" auction. The rules are in place,we all know what we SHOULD do and mostly we do. The problem arises when that itty bitty little thing called money comes into play. We`ve all been to real,live auctions and seen the guy in the corner bumping his own goods,with or without the explicit help of the auctioneer. And, no fingers pointed,but we all know someone that does it,whether we admit it or not.Call it a reserve,munimum or buyers premium,it all adds up to protection and it`s the rare individual that will let sopmething that he`s paid 5 k for sell for a few hundred--IF he can help it. I stay away from auctions that I don`t stand a chance at,but play the game at the ones where I can at least have a small chance.Most times something sneaks through.Same on Ebay. I`m cautious, I bid what I want to pay and go to bed. If I get it,great.If not,theres more fish in the pond.Why bother fighting? I must say though that Bongo and a few other newbies I see here seem like they are solely here to provoke. Think like a dog: Sniff him a little,growl a little then forget him and go play in the snow. You`ll be much happier,and you`ll live longer.