Yeah I have a bit of a problem with 
contradictions, mainly because there's so many 
different ways to look at a lot of the arguments 
on this board.  By the time Im done posting, I 
think of something else I should have added. And, 
what I said above isnt really a contradiction.  
Concerning an item I really want badly, I will 
bid once hoping that the max is enough.  If I get 
outbid, I may try once more, with a second 
absolute max.  I dont bid over and over again on 
an item unless there's a reserve and Im trying to 
meet it.  I do not make the second bid 20 seconds 
before the auction ends.  Usually I will wait til 
the last day or so,that way I can see who all is 
going for the item.  There are some people who I 
dont compete with.  What I meant by the above 
statements was that I will enter a max that at 
the time suits me.  Later I _might_ be crazy 
enough to go higher, or maybe I happened upon a 
surprise bit of cash, so I will enter a second 
high bid on the last day of the auction.