Be very Cautious when buying anything on Ebay without first doing your research. I don't know how many times I have bid on things that eventually rose WAY above everyday prices at either stores or other websites due to bidders either not being informed or, if you know the tricks of selling, the seller has more than one account and is bidding against you on another account. I can't stress the importance of doing your research.

Before bidding on anything on Ebay,  go to the manufacturers site and find the manufactures suggested retail price, also do a Google, Shopping.com, pricewatch (for computer related), all major retailers (Walmart, Sears ect..).

Now, looking at the price you can buy the item in stores, you have come to Ebay looking for a deal (not to pay twice as much for something). Typically on items like gaming consoles and things that are in short order, the Ebay sellers have gone out in full force and sent everyone they know out to buy that  as many Nintendo Wii or Playstation 3's as they can get their hands on. You need to decide on a Price that this thing is actually worth (seeing as Walmart and what ever retailer has already marked it up from wholesale price). I have had people still bidding up on auctions for items I could get all day on some other site for 3/4 of the price.

Now realizing that a bunch of Ebay sellers have gone out and bought 10 to 20 or more of this item at the price you should have been able to get that item for too with the intent of screwing his fellow citizen for a profit, you should stick it back to them and wait for said item to be released by the manufacturer if the price is substancially higher than the MSRP. For example, When the playstation 3 came out, I knew of at least 10 people that sent crews out to different stores to wait in line and get the 5 available playstation 3's for that one individual thus turning around and selling on ebay over $1000 each because most of them went to Ebay sellers. Currently, the Wii is in the same stage of life, No retailer has a Wii right now and I personally contacted Nintendo USA and have been told by Erika J. Valencia that more Wii's have been sold that Xbox360's and PS3's combined, but no one I know has been able to get one and the only place they are available(for the most) is Ebay

So, in order to keep ebay pricing where the Buyer is getting a good deal, when the seller is SCABBING things and self bidding to keep the price high, let him keep his product until the manufacturer reships more product so he is stuck with his 20 whatever it is at a loss. That would clean up the ebay scab sellers.

On the other hand, there are reputable sellers out there that get there product at wholesale and can actually give you a good deal (considering they don't have to upkeep a storefront) Just trying to help those frustrated by those robbing from the poor and giving to the rich. Just because it is on ebay does not mean you will get a good deal. Do your homework before bidding no matter what the product.