A asked a question of Ebay recently, regarding an auction where the vendor had stated that if the item didn't attract sufficient interest, she would end it early.
My understanding always was that just as a bid was legally binding on the bidder, it was also binding on the vendor, but apparently not.
It seems that any seller can withdraw any item and cancel any bids, and a bidder can withdraw any bids, almost at will.
It is buried in the site details, but both sides have get-out clauses to allow bids and offered items to be withdrawn, even when bids are in place.
Peter
-- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Luton, UK snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk