I agree that it's wise to set in your mind a top amount you are willing to pay. Kind of like deciding not to blow more than $20 at the casino. $20 is the max. that it is worth to you that night.
But if you can get out of there for less, why blow the entire 20? That said, I'm not ruling out your technique for bidding. I might just try it, and avoid all the battling on the crooked playing field. Brian high roller Jim wrote: Sniping is just an attempt to trick people who are trying to get it for less than they'd be willing to pay for it.
