This newbie seller needs a rude awakening to the consequences of not playing by auction rules. I understand your reluctance to leave negative feedback (I've only left it twice due to crooks trying to rip me off) but the seller clearly wants auction outcomes 100% his way. He had the opportunity to withdraw the item before the end of the auction. He did not do so, therefore he should have honored your winning bid. An honest, reputable person would have done so. He chose not to and deserves negative feedback, in my opinion. I'd be furious.

: Spotted a tidy11630MH with orange accents and hands, complete with
: bracelet.
: No reserve and hardly any views so stuck in a bid and primed the
: ezsniper.
: I then forgot all about it till I got the mail saying I'd won it
: for €960 - Cool!
: Contacted the seller and, no response...
: 24 hours later I get a mail saying its no longer for sale and he's
: sent it to Paris to be evaluated.
: Ok, emailed him back telling him I was dissappointed as I thought
: I'd won it.
: Turns out he now thinks its worth 4500-5000CHF (~3210-3570€) and
: he hopes I'm still interested!
: HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!
: Surely not(?)
: Have they really gone up in value this much?
: I could go down the ebay complaints route or leave lousy feedback
: but what's the point - Ebay will fob me off and he'll probably
: invent some equally lousy feedback in return.
: I've been here before of course but it still makes me a little bit
: mad every time :-)
: Anyway, rant over!
: Cheers,
: AndyO...