Why e-bay? Why?

I've been on the hunt for an adorable vintage swimsuit pattern since we made plans for our vacation in March. I knew that vintage swimwear patterns were rare, and many were expensive, but I really had no idea what I was getting into. I've scoured the Internet for patterns that will look good on my less than swimsuit-ready body, and found a few adorable ones on e-bay. I bid on one, reluctantly, since I've never used e-bay and am not thrilled with the concept...if I'm going to buy something, I'd like to know about it!...and was swiftly and terribly outbid. It seems it is impossible to spend less than $15 on a swimsuit pattern, and many go as high as $50; Yikes! If I have to buy the fabric and make the darn thing, I'm not spending that much on just the pattern! Not to mention the fact that my budget for this is between $0 and $5, so it appears it will be me, San Diego beaches, and my tired old tankini, which I've had for five years, and can and do wear through the ninth month of my pregnancies. Yawn. If only I knew how and where to obtain these same fabulous patterns that others sell for extraordinary sums of money on e-bay! If only I knew how to make my own pattern! If only I looked halfway decent in modern bathing suits! I still haven't given up; except on the last wish, so maybe I'll still get lucky! A girl can hope!