Auction ended early???

It's one of the privileges afforded to eBay sellers, Judy, just like withdrawing a bid is possible with buyers. Often, an auction ends early because someone has privately made the seller an offer he can't refuse. Alternately, the seller suddenly realizes that he's put the wrong price on something and cancels the auction before somebody puts a bid on it. Or the item is broken in handling and is no longer saleable. There are lots of possible reasons.

Interesting, especially about the offer that can't be refused. I guess that's the downside of sitting back and hoping that the item goes cheap.

Can an item can be withdrawn *after* there have been bids (which there were in this case)?

Next question: As a sniper, is it considered to be a good or bad idea to place a bid or two just so interest is shown and perhaps other bidders will be attracted -- just to avoid the possibility of an item being withdrawn? There's another identical item available and there are no bids as of yet -- that's why I'm asking.

I wouldn't place a bid just to get things started. The main point of sniping is to prevent bidding wars and not let someone else know what your maximium is until it's too late.

My experience is that if someone withdraws an item, you probably couldn't have done anything to change that.

Thanks, "the other Steve." That was my original inclination -- that it's better to keep the price down and not start a bidding war.

BTW, I wrote to the seller, and she apologized (but didn't say what happened) and told me that she has another of the same item. Of course, the price is much higher than the starting bid for the original item! No, thanks.

Judy

Why not just tell the seller what you're willing to pay?

She either accepts and you're both happy, or you snipe it later.

I email sellers all the time after auctions close that have not been bid on and let them know what I'm willing to pay. Several sellers get PO, but others know I pay a fair price and are usually willing to sell it instead of relist it. One seller lists things with a high minimum and then just keeps relisting at an ever decreasing minimum until the item gets sold. By offering a fair price, I let him seel the item without having to relist and relist and relist....

Judy: "Can an item can be withdrawn *after* there have been bids (which there were in this case)?"

Obviously, yes.

PS -- "The other Steve" is right on the money with his advice, as usual.

Thanks, Steve and Steve.

I guess it depends on how badly I want something AND whether I'm willing to pay what the seller really wants.

I guess I got really spoiled by my first purchase, as I got a really good deal.

Judy

I would NEVER put any kind of a bid early on in an auction because that shows my interest in an item to OTHER BUYERS as well as the seller. Any other bidders can then research my bidding history and would discover by looking at my feedback page and the auctions listed thereon, that I almost always snipe in the closing seconds. Better to be a 100% stealth sniper and give away nothing!!!