I think E-Bay is just fine. They do the best they can in a very difficult environment. The reason for not extending an auction in the final minutes when a new bid comes in seems to me to be because E-Bay is set up to benefit the buyer more than the seller. This is the only way it could have worked. Without this philosophy, it could never have gotten off the ground, and never endured. Without E-Bay we would all be out of luck for finding most of the items we search for. The community of classical bike enthusiasts would, in all likelihood be smaller and composed of only those well connected and affluent above the norm.
As far as ending auctions early goes, I am not all sure I agree with it. However, that being said let me point out that it is well within the rules and by coming to the sale we are all buying into playing by the rules. Much like belonging to this list. You want to be a member, you have to accept the rules, even though you may well work in an acceptable manner to get them changed. I have some gripes with E-Bay for sure, but I am really glad it's there! I would be terribly limited in my bike collecting and restoration without it.
One thing that I have not heard discussed much in connection with E-Bay is the near elimination of "Coastal Pricing". At one time many folks could, and did, make a living buying art, antiques, bicycles, etc. in the Mid-West and transporting them to the coasts where they could resell them at a profit. Now prices are more level throughout the country and these folks are on their computers instead of behind the wheel of a truck to make a living.
I like it.
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Mi