Is this really a question or ethics? Or is this just a practice that you do not agree with?

I guess I haven't come to my own conclusion on how I feel about a seller ending an auction early... My gut reaction is that the seller still owns the chip (even while the auction is taking place) and has the right to change his mind. Why can't he/she change their mind and decide not to sell it on eBay???

Just because another buyer got shut out on a particular item doesn't appear to me to be an "ethics" problem. Maybe it's something you wouldn't do. Maybe it's something I wouldn't do. Just because someone doesn't like it doesn't mean we should pull the ethics cards on him.

I've been interested in items on eBay and had planned to bid on them only to find the seller ended the auction early and the item is no longer for sale via eBay. Sure I was disappointed but I didn't feel I got ripped off nor did I feel it was an ethics issue. Hey, maybe I would have bid big money on it. It's the sellers loss not mine. If he decides not to sell it on eBay, the so be it.

My gut reaction may be off base. I'd be interested in hear a good arguement why it's a ethics issue.