>>Isn't that just another way of saying that you make up your own rules if the existing rules don't suit you?<<

Absolutely not! Ethics are involved. Ignoring ethics in the name of "playing by the rules" is wrong, period.

>>You accused this seller in public of doing something wrong, and since you can't back that up with anything factual, you just say that both he and eBay are wrong. Clever.<<

Not clever, my honest opinion.

>>You are welcome to petition eBay for a rule change that will make placing a listing without a reserve a binding contract to sell, if you believe what you say.<<

There was an active effort to remove the option of hidden reserves a year or two ago on eBay. That failed. If an auction hasn't received a bid, cancel it at any time, but if it has received a bid, it should be allowed to run it's course. I will bring this up with eBay.

Bob