You're still not understanding automatic bidding. You DO have total control. Enter a bid for the most you are willing to pay, and eBay will use just enough of it to keep you in the lead, one increment at a time. If someone outbids your max, you're done. If no one bids after you do, you pay when you bid. Automatic bidding is the best strategy for winning and you never pay more than you are willing to pay for the item.
Nibble bidding is the worst strategy for bidding, but if you want to do it, you can. Just bid one increment above the current bid and then keep coming back to the auction and do it again and again as needed (hoping no one will outbid you in the final seconds of the auction when there is no time for you to react).
Inceptions
Volunteer Community Mentor, buying and selling on eBay since 2004
Message 6 of 7
