Jim,

The auction began Jul-23-00 18:26:17 PDT
It ended Jul-27-00 18:45:02 PDT, four days and 19 minutes later

Since eBay only offers 3,5,7 and 10 day auctions, always ending at the same hour minute and second as when the auction began, someone ended this auction early. eBay will not end an auction for you, they will only instruct you how to do it yourself. So, the seller had to have ended it early.

I never thought you intended to neg him, or hold his feet to the fire. His latest story does indeed sound suspicious.

If you intend to complain to eBay about him, the quality of the response you get will depend on the quality of the information they receive. Copies af ALL emails, including Pete's posted correspondence, would give them the full picture.

Hopefully, readers of this thread will have learned:

1. Listing an item on eBay DOES NOT create a contract to sell. If you feel it does, you're making rules for yourself, but you can hardly expect everyone else to abide by rules you've made up.

2. Only when an auction ends with active bids (that meet the reserve price, if applicable) is a contract created. Failing to sell to the valid high bidder can result in negative feedback, or a law suit for specific performance. Repeated violations can result in suspension from eBay.

3. Because of item #1, a seller can cancel all bids and end an auction early for any reason that makes sense to them (avoiding eBay fees is excepted). Receiving a higher offer from another source is specifically stated to be a valid reason.