Technology: Last-Second Shopping

Lost yet another eBay auction as you hustled for holiday gifts? Had a buyer swoop in at the 11th hour with a winning bid? Don't get mad--get a snipe program. Sniping is slang for last-second bidding; an estimated 5% of eBay auctions end that way. At Web-based services such as eSnipe, PowerSnipe and Bidnapper, simply enter the maximum amount you are prepared to pay for an item, and the site takes care of the bidding, saving you time and improving your odds of victory. eSnipe offers a 14-day free trial; after that, you pay only a 1% commission on your item if your bid wins. Officially, eBay frowns on the practice. Unofficially, the company tolerates sniping. So there's nothing to stop your down-to-the-wire bid--except other snipers ready to pay more. --By Chris Taylor