Richard, I agree with Kirk, if you can wait until the end of auctions to bid you sure can come out better. Myself I work alot so I am not able to just sit in front of my puter all day. Wish I could though. Some people like to bid auctions up thinking they are protecting their investment in their collections. One bidder/buyer does not set the market. Like Christine said. Wait for the next one. Who ever this is cannot buy and find them all. You and I have done a number of trades. Instead of buying on eBay work yourself into a nitch of almost only trading to build your collection. I have traded most of my years in collecting. I find it the cheepest way to bild my collection and it is alot of fun at the same time. I get exactly what I want and don't have to drop a bunch of money in the machines to get a certain strike. just wait a few weeks and they are out on trade lists. I have five strikes coming this week from some trades the weekend. I get exactly what I want and so does the collectors I traded with. A win-win and no more money spent, except the postage. I hope you re-think your quiting and just go another direction.

Dennis