i watch it until it says 1 minute left and then i bid. sometimes it goes up more than i want it to so i don't but that's what my mom has always done and it works for me! like if you're looking for miss me jeans or uggs, look in the summer because prices will be lower than in the winter. and toms prices are lower in january-february because it's kinda cold (i wear mine in the cold anyways) and if you're selling something, i know i'm annoying but put the starting bid at 5$ more than ebay reccomends and if it's in good condition put the buy it now price as the retail price... sometimes, people buy the buy it now at 90$ when the actual bid is only 60$ (don't ask me why)