Rene,

I am not a lawyer, but he issues are fairly simple.

First let me say that I am 100% in your corner, you did the right thing.

eBay has rules about interferring with their auctions. You did not follow these rules. So eBay can do something, even if you were doing the "right" thing and trying to protect the bidders. Next time tell eBay, not the bidders. The most eBay can do is to not let you participate in their auctions, buying or selling. That is it.

Mr. Clark may also have some legal issue with you. He can make a claim against you saying that you cost him money by interferring with his auction. This is true. However, he has to prove damages and this will be difficult, what is the value of the chip? Whether he was ripping someone or not is not really relevent. He was not doing anything illegal. Morally, he did not disclose all the facts about the chip and we all know that is not right. Small claims court is different then other courts and the fact that he was not "morally" honest in describing this auction may be a factor. Probably not in another court.

Finally, almost anyone who tells you that he is going to sue you, never does. If he was going to sue you, he would keep his mouth shut. He is most likely just letting off steam because he was caught.