> It's not just the pricing structure for me, and the fact that there

In other words, you're annoyed that someone might want the same item you do, and might be willing to pay more than you are. Welcome to the world of supply and demand. Of course your words could just as easily apply to the stock market, or the farmers market for that matter. Lack of time is one of the reasons I keep searching acution sites. What I wouldn't give to be able to head to surplus stores more than about three

times a year. Some day I hope to live in that fantasy world where people get weekends off. So my options are... 1) On that rare day off spend 8 hours in surplus stores looking for a part I'm probably not going to find, while my wife curses me for not spending that rare day off with her. 2) Do an automated auction search and (eventually) pay $20 for a $5 part.

I make it a point not to rule anything out until the bid goes above what I'm willing to pay.