It makes no difference what price the item was at when you bid as everything can change in the last few seconds.

I usually bid my MAX bid in the last 6 seconds win or lose.

Bid once ,bid late ,bid your max.

If you get outbid then the winner was prepared to pay more than your MAX.

But the "winner" may also be the seller using another i.d. or friend to "shill" so look out for the relist !.