[Huck]

For me it's :
1) Actively watching with intent to bid, I bid if nobody else has bid - 15%, no sniping service.
2) Actively watching an auction that is currently listed too high and if it doesn't sell for that price maybe the seller will relist at a lower price. 55%
3) Passively watching because I have initial interest in the item but come to my senses and realize I don't need the item nor does it fit the collection. 25%
4) Passively watching because I own a similar item and I'm curious what the current market value is. zero %
5) Passively watching because it's an interesting item and I want to see what it sells for. 5%

My cynical side, believes that the " watching item" is Ebay's way of getting users to panic and buy the item.

A recent watching that occurred over the past three days.

I found the R.J. Reynolds (BIN) piece and thought it was cool. I have always liked the piece and the item comes up for sale every now and again. The water damage was a bit of a concern so I decided to watch the item to perhaps convince myself that (1) the water damage was not that bad and (2) the item was $400 cheaper and in better shape than the second Reynolds piece. While I watched, the seller excepted a best offer. Sigh.

Fortunately, I found the Old Crow piece. Yahoo! Awesome piece and an item I had never seen before. The Old Crow piece was auction format. Near the close of the auction I get in a bit of a frenzy and bid $100 over my sane amount. The final bid, was $100+ more ($455) than my insanity (for me) bid. I don't know, perhaps the Old Crow piece is worth close to $500 with shipping and taxes. Alas.

Right after the Old Crow piece went off the board, I found the Hunter Whiskey BIN piece. Again, another piece I had never seen before. I immediately sent the seller a best offer. The seller countered and a sale was made. Woo-hoo!