I put the snip for the max amont and when the bidding starting I lost my item. Max was $3.00 the item closed at $2.41 and eh I lost. My max would have covered it. Advise please.

You did not include the item number so I have no way to check or tell what happened.
I can only tell that sniping does not guarantee winning. You have to meet eBay's and seller's requirements in order to win. If your bid is being refused, you can't win it even if you bid manually.