The way to beat snipers is simply to place the highest $$ amount you are absolutely will to pay early on. If you get smoked, so be it. I also bid like that quite often, if I don't think sniping will be needed or know I can get another shot at a similar item later.
Ebay has a lot of screwed-up participants for sure, but you cannot beat the sheer size and searchability of the market. Remaining careful, smart, and avoiding the commercial sales people is the best route. I bet out of ~300+ transactions since 1998 I have only been disappointed 5 times or less.
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"Trend Number One is that people aren't getting any smarter."
Dogbert
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