There's something about the auto-extend feature 
that I don't think many people know about. It 
will NOT extend the auction if there are no other 
bidders on the item when a bid is placed at the 
last second. So if you place the only bid, you 
can bid anytime you want, even in the last 
seconds. It will not trigger the auto-extend.

For bidders, the only use for this I've been able 
to figure is if you know that a rival is watching 
the auction, but might not bid. (Perhaps they are 
waiting for the item to be relisted so they have 
a next paycheck to make payment easier or 
something.) Then you can bid at the absolute 
final second and they won't have a chance to put 
in their own bid because they won't have time.

Of course, knowing someone *might* bid isn't very 
likely. But once or twice in the past, I have 
found out about a "silent" rival on an auction.

Just thought this might be an amusing bit of 
information to add to the debate. ^_^

Many Sharp Smiles,
--Drac