is because a buyer calls them & makes an offer to buy. The seller cancels the auction and doesn't have to pay the ebay fee. This is illegal and IMO, highly unethical. This was the reason that I stopped bidding on ebay. Some of my friends use this practice and tried to convince me that it is OK. One even asked, "You're not going to turn me in, are you?" I replied, "No, but I do not approve of your method and I was not a happy camper when you caused an auction to be stopped at the time that I was the high bidder." I may not have won the auction anyway but it sure left a sour taste in this ol' mouth.