I think that the real problem here is that these auctions are being run too much like ebay auctions and not enough like REAL auctions. If we're going by ebay rules than absolutely no bids should be accepted after the designated time ends, in this case I don't think that the person bidding at the last minute was necessarily sniping, nor do I think that the auctioneer was necessarily paying attention to the fact that they bid after the auction closed, with that being said in an ebay auction that's it, time over your bid doesn't count. However in real auctions, auctioneers don't have a set time, they give everyone time to consider one last bid before they close the auction. They also have the right to refuse a bid if they feel like it's too low. This is not considered a reserve, but at the same time no one should have to sell something for an amount so little that they might as well have stole the item. It does bother me that the seller has no protection in these DPF auction situations. In a real auction, an item can be pulled if there is only one bidder, because one bid does not make an auction. That however is up to the discretion of the auctioneer, if they feel the one bid is fair they might accept it, or a counter offer from the bidder that is fair. I think in this situation, not pointing any fingers, that because for most of the auction Mark was the only bidder, that regardless of when the auction "ended" he should be allowed to counter, however with the auction rules as they are any offers after the end time are not allowed and in this situation, according to the rules no bids after the designated time should be accepted.