All good advice.
I generally bid on lots that are "ending soon". Mostly 5'ers.
Do your research so that you don't over pay.
As said in prior post, figure how much you are willing to pay, go in as low as you can and then set a max. Then just wait.
I try to get more than one lot so that the shipping is thus reduced. I'm not on often enough to ship weekly so I have my lots shipped the day I win.