Mogur,
You may only send a max you are willing to pay. That's how eBay works.
You've been getting beat by 2.50 each time because of the 'Proxy' process at eBay. eBay uses only enough of a bid to get/stay in the lead. You rarely know (with a few exceptions) what the winners max was, only what it took to beat you. $2.50 is the bid increment for items priced between $100 and $249.99
>Click Here< to learn about the eBay proxy bidding system. There is also a 'test auction' you can play with to kinda get the hang of it.
>Click Here< for a list of all bid increments.
and WELCOME to you as well!