I really don't understand why anybody thinks it's sleazy or wrong to ask for a buy-it-now. If the seller wants to do it, fine. If the sellers says no, fine. What's the harm in asking?

I've had sellers only too happy to accept a reasonable offer to end an auction, so that they get the cash a little quicker - regardless of whether they offered the BIN in the first place. Likewise - if I've not had any serious bids already on an item, I'm usually open to offers.

Btw GV27... there's no such thing as 'auto-bidding software' in eBay. You're losing out to people who put in their 'highest bid' early and then wait to see if anyone matches or beats them. It's a bit like 'sealed bids' for property, antiques, and so on.