Why sometimes it's GOOD to lose...

I collect old 1840's to 1920's blown hyacinth glass vases (preferably in cobalt blue shades). Recently on eBay one appeared that I wanted to add to my collection. I had received some eBay gift cards for Christmas that I had been saving for just this occasion. Unfortunately, someone else really wanted the same vase. Usually I place a bid on the last day, keeping in mind what is the "maximum" cost I'm willing to go up to. If the bid goes over my maximum - then so be it, I don't keep bidding.

In this case, I lost my head and ended up in a bidding war over the last 34 minutes of the auction. Each time I upped my bid (already over the max I had alotted) I kept telling myself that I would go "no higher". Of course I did. I lost the auction in the last minute - and did I ever feel relieved! I knew I had gone higher than the vase was worth (I had at least researched it before bidding).

Serendipty smiled, because a week later a similar blown vase from the same maker and time period appeared on eBay. This time, I got the vase - at 1/2 the price I would have paid if I had actually won my bidding war! Sometimes, losing is indeed a "good thing". :)