Making "back-door deals" (that sounds dirty, heh) after an auction has ended on eBay is low in my opinion. However, up until a deal is consummated (heh) by the gavel hitting the pedestal, it is all open market principles. Meaning, if, through an alternate venue, the seller finds someone willing to pay more, then so be it. The onus is on the seller to determine in which market (either an anonymous auction site or message forum) he/she would like to participate. I have no issue with sellers ending auctions early or sellers on this website opting to ignore offers from fellow members and opting for an auction site. Again, the only time I have an issue is when there is a meeting of minds and we have one of the parties reneg.