Pretty much everyone hates getting sniped. As you say, the only way to avoid, if someone else bid, is to place a bid in the current round. Yes, it kind of sucks... but is not likely to change.

I tend to not even bid if someone has already, and wait til the last few minutes place first bid, and hope no one bid after. Also too.. I tend not to even try the TL in the first couple weeks of the season unless I am in dire need, the chances for bidding war are too high.