Ah ok some good tips there. I did win a loose one off ebay but the bidding was very dodgy so I havn't paid for it yet.
I was out bid with less than 30 seconds - so I increased my bit by a couple of $$.
I was outbid again in the final 10 seconds so sat there and watched the timer count down but in the last 2 seconds the bid that outbid me was retracted by the bidder for entering a wrong amount!
I Now await ebay to review but I dont think they are going to be much help....