yeah , I understand what you mean , but to tell you the truth I lost an auction back in the selling thred cuz of a 1 sec to late post also . So even than it was more to the owner of the item to say when the auction is over . Once she/he would have sent the trade there was no way to make anther bid on the item
I also think that before was riscky as well , because unlike now when you know the second when an auction ends , in the selling area you could have posted a bid thinking " this is the last bid and the time has expired , now I'm safe" and than get overbid waiting for the trade XD .
I guess both sistems have there ups and downs ,in the end it comes down to witch sistem you prefer the most
other than these sistems I don't think there can be another , cuz it would take to much to post the countdown ( the "3, 2,1 SOLD" )