Issue I just had that puts a twist on your scenario. I received the unsuccessful auction mail with the item and the credits deposit, I retrieved both from the mail and then it was auto-deleted like all GTN mails are when emptied, however, the item, Grade 2 Ship armor, did not go into my inventory. It just disappeared into the ether. GG.

I think WoW was the only game I've ever played that had any kind of threat meter available, then eventually implementation of screen flashing, horn blowing, OMG YOU GOTZ AGGRO messages. I can definitively say that the game was a million times more fun before any of this. I know some of these things seem to be useful tools that only enhance game experience. I thought the same when they were first available in WoW. However, after using these for awhile, you realize that it's taking a lot of the fun and challenge away, and drastically ruining the immersion in the game. You're just looking at all these numbers and monitors and not at the game you are playing. It ruins the enjoyment of planning and implementing strategy. When you don't beat something right away, it's just, "OMG, how do those dumb n00bs not watch their threat meters!!," instead of, "how can we work together differently to beat this."

approve of OPs suggestions