" Incidentally, what gives you the impression that eBay will still be around in a few years time?"

lack of any real competition, cq.

Cats, yes, it is a buyer request, not a buyer right to cancel, so should not be taken as such here... I am thinking that what might upset some sellers is the possible buyer response to a no to their request. If everyone behaved with courtesy, it would work beautifully. Much better to cancel up front than go through the whole process of unpaid item disputes and having to wait to relist.

so at face value, it's not a bad thing.