I used to get outbid at the last second, so I tried doing the same, never really 'won' anything.
Then I read somewhere, 'how much is it new, how much are you willing to pay?' Once you work that out place your bid and let ebay automatically do your bidding.
If you don't get it oh well have a search for the next thing, since adopting this method I have never bid more than I really wanted to pay and have actually been more successful in getting things I want at a reasonable price.