Man, when I see a newbie bidder bidding like crazy on some obsure but rare d&d item auction, I get the hell out of there because I dont know if it is a shill bid or just that sometimes newbies are willing to pay anything for something they think they really want. Anyone else feel this way also?

Most people bid high for "something they think they really want". Especially if it's a difficult to find variety of item  :wink:

What bugs me is when I'm after something relatively obscure or specific, but not necessarily valuable, and I still hit a wall of newbie impatience.  

For example, I might be looking for a 6th printing DMG, and have taken the time to inquire and confirm it's the exact printing I'm after.  These aren't particularly valuable, and I have no interest in paying a premium for one.  The newbie is looking for an "oldschool DMG", and they happen to pick that auction to decide they gotta have one.  :roll:

It seems to be happening more frequently lately.

Guilty as charged--although I have restrained myself much more lately (especially after paying $100.00  8O  for a Silver Anniversary box set missing some items :roll:, but not the modules (especially L3 Deep Dwarven Delve).   My bank account is suing me for lack of companionship  :D  [i.e. no money]!!  Just remember, at one time everyone was a "newbie"!

    The other side of the coin is when you win an auction for a large lot of modules; as an example, I won two separate auctions--one for 13 modules for about $50.00, one for nine modules for about $45.00.  I wasn't too concerned about what shape they were in, but all 22 were what the Acaeum board might call "good" to "very good" condition.  I felt like I  got very lucky in the auction, not getting sniped at the last minute. . . .

    It is getting harder not only to find good deals on 1e or early 2e D&D/AD&D, but at a decent price ($90-100 for H1 Bloodstone Pass   :?:  :?:  :!: ).