You mark it on the calendar.  You set the alarm on your watch.  You know exactly when the auction ends but your not worried.  You know you will be home in plenty of time.  That was before the last minute copy machine jam (you can't just leave it jammed).  Then there was the slow elevator where 12 co-workers were waiting to get on (you take the stairs).  And to make matters worse, there was a terrible traffic jam (you take a detour 5 blocks out of your way).

When you finally make it home with still some time to spare, you fire up the computer.  That is when your problems really begin.  NO CONNECTION - CONNECTION FAILED - CAN NOT DISPLAY PAGE - any virtual error message possible slaps you in the face.

When you finally get to the auction you find it closed 30 seconds ago.  But DON'T give up so fast.  If it was a Store selling the item Ask-The-Seller-A-Question.  They may have more just like that one.  They may have a source for the item where they could get another.  If there were no bidders, ask the seller if they would Relist-it or put it back on as a Buy-it-now.  You could bid and get it immediately. 

If none of these options work for you, the best you can do is hope for a Second-Chance-Offer, but you must let the seller know you are interested in the item.  If that doesn't work either, you could enter the item as a Favorite-Search and anytime one comes up for auction you will be sent an email. 

Whatever the outcome of this auction, the important thing is NEVER GIVE UP!  Ebay will come through for you sooner or latter.