I used to get in bidding wars on EvilBay when I first started but after paying way too much for many items, I finally got smart. Now I snipe Auctions! You aviod shill bidders and everything. You simply put in your highest bid at the end of the Auction. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose but you didn't get into a contest with another bidder. As for selling I do put a reserve on my Auctions after some of my stuff went for nothing, I found this was the only way to protect my investment. I don't know why bidders shy away from Auctions with reserves though.