Axl, I have a problem with you calling snipers dumbasses minutes after I said I have sniped items. And, I have been registered on ebay for 7 years both buying and selling and am either selling something or watching something several days of every week, I believe I have a good idea how it trends. That said, when I list something it's almost always for a low price like 0.99 cents, precisely for the reason you mention. It gets tons of watchers, and allows a bidding frenzy to take place.

Regarding buying strategies, smart buyers know where the deals are to be had, and that goes for your items that start off high as well as the ones that start off at pennies. There might be less watchers on the $1100 items compared to the $800 soon-to-be-sniped ones, but don't think they aren't being watched.