Using Third party Snipe software in an EBAY Auction

[drcexpress]

I recently bid in a auction.  Two other bidders were made known in literaly the last second, one with two duplicate bids and the other one bid one second after mine raising the overall cost to purchase as I discovered when I paid.  All three bids were all in the same SECOND. The bid patterning looked strange so I paid for the item and informed the seller that there was something wrong with the auction.  He informed me that Ebayers are using a snipe program and that it can drive up the bid considerably.  I did research into this and discovered there is third party software being used on Ebay auction by buyers.  I contacted ebay and was informed appropriately that this is prohibited practice. I am dissapointed becasue the seller refused to refund the difference I would have paid.  The only option is to return for a refund, but I still want the item I just don't want to be cheated.  Ebay has promised to do an investigation and I made helpful suggestions on how to catch this SNIPE software activity.