Rules regarding offers and automatic price acceptance

[marowan]

A potential buyer made an fridge for my fridge.  I responded with a counteroffer.  We both believed he had 48 hours to consider the counteroffer.  

Eight hours after the counteroffer, another potential buyer made an offer which I was notified of by way of a 'Your Item  Has Sold' email from EBay as I had entered a minimum accept amount.

Where does this leave the person who made the offer originally, given that he didn't get his 48 hours?

Appreciate some guidance on this.  Thanks

[kopenhagen5 · Accepted solution]

First in, best dressed. You can now explain to the first offer, that someone offered higher and the auto accept has rendered it purchased.

Same with a Buy it Now, first one to click, gets the item.

They get 48 hours but not exclusively, otherwise items could be locked by competitors.