Disapearing bid

[avarras]

Usually, when I don't win a bid, it still tells me that I have been outbid or loose the item. Last time I check, there was 5 minutes left for this bid. A couple hours later, I look for it and it's not there anymore. No message about losing it, not appearing in my bidding history or cart either. 

I doubt Ebay will take off an auction 5 minutes before an end. And curiously, the seller has sold many other similar items, but at an higher price, though. So, I don't think the ribbon is the problem.  

Can a seller stop a auction if the price isn't high enough for him? Can they do that?

[pinetreecottage]

A seller can cancel a bid anytime the auction is active.  They can give any reason they like.  The bidder is only that, a "bidder".  No money has changed hands.  That's they auction game.  To be sure to be a "buyer", look for sellers with "buy it now".  Most will require payment at the time of purchase, so be prepared for that. Cheers.

[femmefan1946]

I doubt Ebay will take off an auction 5 minutes before an end.

They can if they believe that the auction is fraudulent or illegal.

Can a seller stop a auction if the price isn't high enough for him?

Yes, but there are time limits.

Since most bidding happens in the last few moments of an auction, it is foolish to do so.

The seller misses both the maximum bids of his current bidders and any possible snipe bids.