Really nice M5 on EBay question

[TMagda]

Found a really nice '03 (E39) BMW M5 on eBay this week that I was interested in. Red w/black guts, 5,000 original miles, 6 speed manual. Super clean. E39 is my favorite 5 series so I was thinking how fortunate to find a basically brand new one. Put it on my watch list and was planning to bid within the last 5 minutes of the auction. Logged on yesterday to show my kids and it was GONE! I never sold anything on eBay - is it possible to cancel an auction in the middle of the time period? Would it make any sense if I find car I like to email an offer to the seller instead of bidding?

[al8apex]

uh, yes

a couple of scenarios:

a. I am sure that there was a statement that said something to the effect: "Car advertised locally, we reserve the right to cancel this sale at any time"

or

b. UNLESS it was a scam listing, that is a nice car for stupid low $$$, then if it is gone altogether, that was the case

unfortunately, a LOT of sellers don't "play fair" and end sales early because of all the sharks that try to steal things before they are intended to end.

If it is an occasional seller, they have no reputation to uphold, so they will do what suits them best ...