Skeptico, if yours was the winning bid that is what it was. No bids were retracted. It is quite normal that people wait until the last minute to bid. If the high bid was retracted and yours was left as next, then you were “flushed”.
Ebay does allow a seller to offer an item to the next highest bidder if the winning bidder does not come through.
From the Ebay site:
Q. What is a Second Chance Offer?
A. It is a feature that allows a seller to offer an item to an under bidder at the bidder’s maximum bid amount, if the winning bidder is unable to complete a purchase, or if the seller has more than one item available for purchase. The offer will be accessible only to the seller and the selected under bidder. If item does not sell, it will end after a period that is specified by the seller.
Q. Why should a seller send a Second Chance Offer?
A. The Second Chance Offer feature gives sellers a second chance at selling an item, quickly and easily, with all the benefits of eBay’s services. It also allows sellers to sell a duplicate item to one of their under bidders, while at the same time completing the transaction with the winning bidder. Best of all, creating a Second Chance Offer is FREE. Sellers pay only the Final Value Fee when the offer is accepted.
Q. To whom can a seller send a Second Chance Offer?
A. Second Chance Offers can be sent to any one of the under bidders if the winning bidder does not complete a purchase or if a seller has duplicate items. Second Chance Offers can be created immediately after a listing ends and for up to 60 days after the end of the listing. Sellers should ensure that everything has been done to resolve the issue with the winning bidder in non-paying bidder cases before sending a Second Chance Offer to another bidder.
That certainly does not appear to be “cheating” or “going around the rules” to me.
I meant to say the seller may also offer it to any of the underbidders if they have duplicates, etc… also.
“Ebay does allow a seller to offer an item to the next highest bidder if the winning bidder does not come through.”
“I may be missing something here, but this doesn’t sound like a crime to me.”
I don’t think that it’s a crime either but it costs them money & I think they have a right to put a limit on that.
you point is well taken sailor
How is it unethical to sell something to someone just because you happened to meet by ebay?
Who and where i decide to sell things is no business of ebay.
Closing this thread at the request of the OPer.
bibliophage
moderator GQ