Hogsy you can use sniping software or (I think) sniping sites for eBay auctions.
My old method works for stuff *most* people wouldn't be bidding on: log into eBay --- make CERTAIN you're fully logged in, not just seeing your username on the page --- and let the auction tick down to about 15 seconds and then bid. You should have just enough time to click "confirm" to do the bid. With a decently-running computer and Internet connection this does essentially the same thing as sniping.