Sometimes you can do well. I won an auction for one of the LE Haunted Mansion figurines that were being sold at the 999 Happy Haunts Ball, and with shipping, pd only about 30 more than it was purchased for, and didn't have to buy the 100+/ ticket to get into the event. You just need to know the price. It kills me, though, how much those monorail playset accessories are being sold for. The Haunted Mansion, which you can order from DW for $22-$25, is being sold for $30-$40. Now I know how these people are paying for their WDW vacations! (But they can't fool us!)
For those who have gotten caught up in the heat of the auction, don't feel bad. I ordered a "matted Disney print" for about $12 with shipping. Unfortunately, the "matted Disney print" turned out to be a "matted postcard" (a sample image of a larger piece of animation art) which I could have gotten for free, being I work for an animation art company! DUHHHHH!