[Doublej]

What would you make of the following situation? I get in a bid situation with someone else on a B&K amplifier five days before the end of the auction.

The other guy comes out on top and today he reduces his bid, saying the seller changed the description of the item (I can't find any difference, Seller says he posted more pictures).

The other bidder's new highest bid in a bid $5 below my bid. We are the only two serious bidders on the item.

How do I know that the other bidder is not a friend of the seller just trying to jack up the bid to maximize his sale price by doing what was just done?

Should I withdraw my bid? Am I being paranoid? Stuff like this always makes me concerned. I should probably stay away from Ebay.

BTW, the auction is open until tomorrow afternoon.

[R_burke]

If your bid is what you are/were willing to pay for the item, then no big deal.  If $5 is a deal breaker, then I would guess you really don't want the item at that price and then you should retract your bid also

[MaxCast]

"

[kfr01]

I think Burke has it right on.

You have to bid only what you are actually willing to pay.

If you were / are willing to pay what you bid, I don't think it would be right to change it.

Also, since there's a day left, you could probably not bid again and still lose to snipers.

[warnerwh]

The smartest way to bid is to not bid til the end of the auction. If you do you just drive the price up. At the end, even in the last seconds, bid your highest amount you'll pay. I've won a few items by .09 cents.

[woodsyi]

I looked it up at Audiogon.  Original list price was 1300.  Used sales average is 560.  Last one sold for 470 and the lowest sold price is $410.  I would say you will get sniped at the end if you stay put where you are.  No worries.  If you get it at the current bid then you get a deal.  Don't worry, I won't snipe you. 

[Levi]

There is a possibility of eBay tactics.  Another old tactic is when the bidder then contacts you stating that the last bidder had backed out and you are the next highest bidder.  What are they thinking that people are stupid?

[Bill Baker]

There is a possibility of eBay tactics.  Another old tactic is when the bidder then contacts you stating that the last bidder had backed out and you are the next highest bidder.  What are they thinking that people are stupid?

 I think if anything is going on here, this is the case. He may have a "buddy" trying to up the price for him and when others don't fall prey, they will then contact the next highest bidder with a story about backing out.
 It is then up to you to decide if the agreed price is something you are willing to pay. Of course you are under no obligation at this point to purchase the item.
 I usually decline just to teach them a lesson if I suspect foul play. Of course, there is truly no way of knowing for sure and absolutely no way of proving it.