I think you're grossly underestimating the effect of other visible bids on behaviour. When I was buying a lot of IT equipment, years ago, sniping was the only

I think you're grossly underestimating the effect of other visible bids on behaviour. When I was buying a lot of IT equipment, years ago, sniping was the only reliable way to win auctions. It was almost like people would only bid on things others had already bid on.