Bidding Frustration

wait a minute all...

Reading this thread, it doesn't sound as if the OP's situation is being addressed.

However, there are some problems with how things are stated since a seller cannot "counter" a "bid," which raises the question, was this a "bid" on an "auction" or an "offer" on a "classified" listing? Assuming the seller actually submitted a "counter offer" to Pgleekel's "bid," as stated in the post, then this had to be a classified listing and Bdgregory's comment;

all "best offer" systems work this way, where an open offer or counter does NOT lock up the seller. At least A'gon, and eBay work this way.

is not true here.

Classified listings here are subject to Audiogon's rules;

When a Seller submits a Counter Offer, you will receive an emailed notification. The Seller has committed to hold the item until the Buyer responds to the Counter Offer (or it expires in 48 hours).

The Buyer may then choose to either Accept or Decline the counter offer.

If the Buyer Accepts the Counter Offer, the Buyer and Seller have entered into a binding agreement based on the terms outlined in the Counter Offer.
If the Buyer Declines the Counter Offer, no agreement is reached and the negotiation has ended, with no obligation to either party.
The Buyer may then submit a new Offer if they wish. The Seller also may move onto other offers that may be available.

If this was a classified, and an offer was made by Pgleekel, and if the seller made a counter offer through the Audiogon system, then the item is in fact locked up until Pgleekel responds to the counter offer, or a maximum of 48 hours, as stated in the Audiogon Support Center rules under "Making Offers."

The Seller has committed to hold the item until the Buyer responds to the Counter Offer (or it expires in 48 hours).

If the seller somehow pulled the ad after making a counter offer (maybe he had it listed also on Aasylum or ebay and sold it there) then that is a violation of the Audiogon trading system and subject to negative feedback by the prospective buyer, or other sanctions if deemed appropriate by Audiogon.

They have buy sell rules here for a reason and if folks want to use this system they should respect and abide by those rules.

OTOH, if this was an auction, and if Pgleekel made a "bid" that was lower than the reserve set by the seller, then the seller could in fact pull the auction, if no other bids exceding the reserve were received as provided here;

If your auction has NOT met reserve, or there are no bids, then you may cancel or close it early.

Anyone buying or selling on this site should become familiar with the rules, which can be found here;Audiogon Support Center

Mitch,
Nice job clearing this up.
I want to point out that the OP stated that Audiogon responded "a counter is good for 48 hours unless the seller pulls the listing"
This does seem to contradict their rule "The Seller has committed to hold the item until the Buyer responds to the Counter Offer (or it expires in 48 hours)".

There is a difference in an initial offer and a "counter offer". The initial offer, (from the buyer) does NOT lock the sale out to other offers or Buy It Now.

If the seller does a "counter offer" it does indeed lock the sale down for 48 hours or until the buyer agrees to the counter offer or declines the counter offer or times runs out, (48 hours).

My title confused things and for this I apologize. In fact, I made an offer and the seller sent me a counter offer. My read of the rules was I had 48 hours to respond. Thus, my frustration that well before the 48 hours had expired the listing was gone. I then submitted a question to Audiogon and was told that if the ad was pulled then I did not, in effect, have the 48 hours.

Mitch does indeed clear up things. Now that he has done so in light of my misleading title, I am curious about what those who have responded in one way or another "you snooze you lose" feel about the situation. The same?

Pgleekel, while Audiogon members can be a great sounding board, unfortunately public opinion will not really solve your issue. In these situations, your choice is either to take action, or not.

Not sure why Audiogon would give you the "unless the seller pulls the listing" answer if they understood your question, since that is not supported by their own buy/sell rules, but then they do not govern, they only facilitate.

In any event, I believe your options would include either leaving negative feedback for the individual who pulled the ad, starting a dispute, or simply letting bygones be gone. I see you have been here awhile so you know there will be other opportunities, like Peter said above. Better luck in your future dealings.