OT: ebay whirlwind (watching Pentax glass)

[David Oswald]

I noticed the other day an SMC Pentax-FA 20-35mm f/4 AL on eBay. I 
already own one of these, but know my brother-in-law would love one too. 
 Tonight the auction ended.  An hour before the end of auction it was 
going for $250, which seemed fantastic.  ...15 minutes to go, $260. 
There was no change until six seconds to go: $350, and in literally the 
final second, $355.  That's only 25% below Adorama and B&H pricing! 
Ultimately my brother-in-law never ended up bidding on the lens, but 
even if he had, he surely would have lost it to sniping.

It's no wonder I can't seem to get my hands on a used FA 135 f/2.8 IF. 
Things really seem to get driven up in the final seconds.