Ebay woes

[guamaniantree]

Hey everybody,

I was the high bidder (with $125.00) on a squire VM fretless that had 24 hours (more or less) left to go and the seller ended the auction, canceled all bids, and then relisted the same bass with a buy-it-now price of $250.00.

Is this allowed?

There was no reserve (or it was met), and he did not reserve the right to end the auction early pending a local sale. He seems to have regretted how low the auction was going for and/or discovered the value of the bass, and decided to pull it and relist it.

If this is within the ebay rules, it not only shafts me, but it also makes a mockery of the whole auction process.
Even if it isn't allowed, in all likelihood I'll still be out of a good deal on a good bass.

[BryanSwift]

That's eBay for you, it makes you think that buyers hold all the power...
But in the long run the seller has a good amount of power themselves...
That is quite shady on the seller's part though...

[bongomania]

It is within Ebay's rules up to (I believe) 12 hours before the end of the auction. Even in the odd instances where the seller ends an auction early for honest and legitimate reasons, bidders hate it. What can you do.

[Johnny Crab]

If the seller's feedback is not 100%, I'd look elsewhere.
Sounds like a "unique" seller....

[dryheatbob]

Nah, nothing unique. I've had a few I've been watching end early because of what looked like a low winning bid. I know it costs a little extra, but I could never figure out why sellers don't just put a reserve on an item when thay need to get x amount for it. Or Buy It Now.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by dryheatbob

Nah, nothing unique. I've had a few I've been watching end early because of what looked like a low winning bid. I know it costs a little extra, but I could never figure out why sellers don't just put a reserve on an item when thay need to get x amount for it. Or Buy It Now.

Indeed...when I'm in a push to get a minimum amount, that's what I start the bidding at.

[guamaniantree]

thanks for the answers. shame to hear that this isn't uncommon. Seller had 100% feedback, but he's still a big lameface in my book.
Ebay's response essentially echoed what all of you said, so... shucks i guess