The only thing I'm "lucky" enough to get at or near the starting price are the unknowns-often to me as well. I'll usually try something in a 5 pack if it's the shape, size, and wrapper I like, esp. when they're less than $2 a stick. Of course, about the time I figure out they're a bargain, so do the rest of you and the price goes up.
On standard favorites (of mine anyway) like CAO's and ONYX's, it's hard to get them for anywhere near the starting bid price, but, they're still cheaper than anywhere else usually. I often bounce bid prices against cigar discouters such as jrcigars to see if they're still real enough to bid on.