The first rule I have for buying on Ebay is being patient. If somone wants to snipe me at the last second, so be it. There is always another somethin' or other coming along soon that I can't live without. I figure out what a part is worth to me and stick to that price. Even at live auctions I have seen folks get caught up in bidding wars and pay way too much for stuff. Sometimes they act as if they are proving a point by spending too much! My buddy was with me at a farm auction a couple years ago and was bidding on kicker wagons. There were several that went thru and when the last one came up he ran it up to $700! The only thing good on it was the running gear from setting outside but he sure showed those other guys!
Even old duffers like me can buy parts on line!