Don't make the mistake of jumping right in on bidding on a particular item. Research the cost of a new item similar to the one you want to bid on. Check out items like or similar with a major retailer, like Bass Pro, or Cabelas. I always keep one of each handy beside my computer desk when I'm bidding on pretty much anything in Sporting Goods. Remember, you are here looking for a bargain, Right? Otherwise, you would have just ordered it new, or stopped by the retail location and hand selected one yourself. With that being said, my personal rule of thumb is this. If you combine the shipping cost and the bid/or Buy it Now price, those two combined should not exceed 60 or 70% of the price of new. If it does, then it's no longer a bargain. BE SURE to ALWAYS look at the shipping cost. There are some sellers out there that try to DOPE you into buying something that appears to be a bargain, then stick it to ya on the shipping cost. I don't know how many auctions I've sat and watched, and even been in on the bidding, sitting there shaking my head and saying "What is this guy thinking?"  He just bid that item $10 over what I'm sitting here looking at a brand new one in the Cabelas Sring cataloge! Not to mention the $25 shipping he's going to have to pay. DON'T BE THAT GUY. Do your research before you place a bid, do the math then decide what %60 of a new one is, and then set that amount as your maximum bid. If it goes over that, leave it alone, and look for another one. If it is a vintage item or an antique, then it's just a matter of personal value? How bad do you want it? Basically, this guide only applies to NEW, or like New, or VERY slightly used. In the case of NOT NEW, ask lots of questions before you bid. Rember it's your hard earned money, don't just give it away. Watch out for SCAMS!! NEVER make a transaction outside of ebay!! Set yourself up with a Pay Pal account, and ONLY use that to pay for your purchases! If someone asks you to pay by Western Union....DON"T DO IT! CONTACT EBAY IMMEDIATLY! If someone asks you to send cash....DON"T DO IT!  Pay Pal is the only true, secure way to NOT get ripped off.  If you think something is "Fishy" it probably is. Contact ebay, they will be glad to help. GOOD LUCK!